Protection options
Protection from STI/STDs:
Sexually Transmitted Diseases and Infections, (STDs & STIs) are common and need to be taken seriously in order to avoid them. There are many protection options against STD &STIs that include physical barriers between fluids transmission, like condoms and dental dams, but we also have vaccinations and medications that we can get to further protect ourselves from diseases that can also increase our chance of getting cancer.
Condoms
Condoms are a typically made of very thin latex (rubber), polyurethane or polyisoprene, that is in a shape that will cover the penis like a tight sock. Condoms are made with several different types of lubricants, some even have spermicide in the lubricant to have an added protectant. As many people will discuss, condoms are not always comfortable for the user or other participants in a sexual act; however, this does not given someone the right to refuse to wear a condom when asked by the other participant(s). Condoms can only be used once per erection. So for every new erection you need to put on a new condom. Condoms also protect from STD transmission but are not always going to be 100% effective, so still get tested often when having sexual intercourse with new individuals.
Dental Dams
Dental Dams are used when performing oral sex on a vagina, to separate the vagina and the person who is orally stimulating the other person. This protects the saliva from mixing with the secretions of the vagina to protect both individuals from STD transmission. These are often overlooked as a form of protection but can be very helpful to prevent the transmission of anything that could cause further irritation.
Gloves
This is a form of protection that is often overlooked, but is easy to access and applies to almost every community participating in sexual activity. If you plan to stimulate someone with your hands and fluids or penetration will be apart of that act, you may want to get yourself some medical grade gloves to use. This also prevents nails and dirt from the hands to cause irritation of the vagina and/or other body parts.
Vaccinations
Many people when they are going through puberty receive a set of vaccines to prevent the spread of some extremely common viruses that can actually cause even worse health issues including cancer. For people assigned female at birth, cervical cancer is a large fear, and increase risk has been detected when they have previously contracted HPV in the vaginal canal. The most common vaccine given to both sexes is Gardasil 9, the newest version protecting against even more types of sexually transmitted diseases that lead to other health issues..
"GARDASIL 9 helps protect individuals ages 9 to 45 against the following diseases caused by 9 types of HPV: cervical, vaginal, and vulvar cancers in females, anal cancer, certain head and neck cancers, such as throat and back of mouth cancers and genital warts in both males and females." @GARDASIL
For more information on whether or not this is a vaccine right for you, talk to your doctor or contact a local physician to talk about your options.
What is HIV and AIDs?
HIV and AIDS are two components of each other. HIV is the initial infection and the syndrome that occurs in the body with extreme immuno-affects is the AIDS diagnoses. When someone is diagnosed with HIV in our current day, they can likely go on meds to make sure they are not effected as much by the infection and are less likely to infect others.
When the HIV and AIDS epidemic began in the late 70s and 80s, the government of the United States refused to call for nation attention and concern. Instead they delayed research and refused treatment for 100,000+ people, majority of which were homosexual, black, and considered a group not worth helping. For 10-20 years HIV and AIDS was considered a homosexually transmitted disease- which we now know is never a plausible statement. For 2 of those early years, we didn't know what to name HIV, and it was named GRID (Gay-Relations Immuno-Deficiency); and was changed 2 years later to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus) and AIDS (Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome). HIV and AIDS has for a long time come with a stigma and fear from others that the virus can be transmitted easily, while we know it can only be transmitted via blood and semen or vagina fluids.
Since HIV can be transmitted via blood, it's important that we talk about how you can also get HIV and AIDS from sharing needles and certain drug methods. If you believe you could become exposed or have been exposed to HIV make sure to go to a local hospital or doctor to get a prescription for PEP or PrEP. These drugs save lives, and should be discussed more publicly to call attention to how we can slow the transmision of some diseases.
In recent years we have come out with several drugs that have effectively ended a majority of AIDS diagnoses after HIV diagnoses. People who believe they may be exposed to or could become exposed to, can take one of two drugs below, so that their chances of getting an infection from the virus is less likely.
Prep (the medicine)
Prep is a medicine used prodominently by people who are possibly likely to encounter a transmission of HIV from a person who is infected. The drug effectively prepares the body to evacuate and fight the transmission. The drugs effectiveness is 99.9% when taken regularly to stop the transmission of HIV. Of course call your doctor to see if any of these medicines would be right for you.
PEP
PEP is a medicine used predominantly by people who have encountered a possible transmission of HIV from a person who is infected. The drug effectively enters the body to evacuate and fight the transmitted HIV viruses. The drug's effectiveness is dependent on how fast you are able to take the durg after intercourse. After 72 hours the effectiveness is much less, and is often taken in precaution regardless of testing status of the possible transmitter. You can often receive it through an emergency care office or the ER hospital in your area (as it is considered an emergency precaution). Of course call your doctor to see if any of these medicines would be right for you.