Having a fulfilling sex life is linked to better physical and mental health. Whether you’re in a committed relationship or navigating through the dating field, you need to prioritise staying safe while exploring your sexuality. Here is Pharmacy Planet’s guide to help you make the most out of your bedroom activities.

8 Tips to Have Safe Sex

Maintaining a healthy and enjoyable sex life requires a fundamental focus on safety. By adhering to essential practices, you can ensure responsible and pleasurable sexual experiences. Here are 8 expert tips to consider:

1. Educate Yourself
2. Get Vaccinated
3. Be Open and Honest
4. Stick to Your Boundaries
5. Always Be Prepared
6. Take the Test
7. Clean Your Toys
8. Learn from Your Mistakes

Educate Yourself

Condoms are one of the most widely used forms of protection and can be effective at preventing the spread of many STI’s. If you’re in a long-term relationship you may not be as worried about STI’s, but still want to prevent any unwanted pregnancies. There are a wide range of birth control options so you will be able to find one that suits your lifestyle. You can choose from birth control pills, patches, rings, and implants. There are also diaphragms, spermicides, and female condoms if you’re unable to take hormonal birth control.  You can find many of the best contraceptive and birth control medication online in the UK from us.

Get Vaccinated

Almost all cases of cervical cancer can be linked to an infection of the human papilloma virus (HPV). The HPV vaccine is recommended for boys and girls before they become sexually active and adults up to age 26 if they haven’t been vaccinated yet.

Be Open and Honest

It can be awkward talking about sex, especially early on in a relationship, but it’s essential that you do so with all of your partners. This includes discussing relevant sexual history, the last time STI screening was done, and preferred types of contraception. Having an open line of communication can also help with sexual compatibility, ensuring you’re both getting what you need to have a fulfilling and satisfying sex life.

Stick to Your Boundaries

Part of being open and honest is making your boundaries clear. While it’s fun to try new things, don’t be pressured into anything that you don’t feel comfortable with. This includes not being pressured into having sex without protection or contraception.

Always Be Prepared

Don’t rely on a years old condom that’s been sitting in your wallet. Both men and women should have condoms or other protection with them so that they aren’t caught out when the mood strikes. If you are using condoms, check that the packaging is intact, and that the condom is still in date.

No method of protection or contraception is 100% effective, but knowing how to use protection safely and correctly will improve their effectiveness. Both you and your partner need to know how to use protection correctly. For example, some condoms are prone to breaking when they are exposed to certain lubricants so you should always use water-based lubricants with condoms.

Take the Test

Confidential sexual health screenings are available free of charge through many local services. You can visit your GP, a GUM clinic, some pharmacies, and other community resources. There are even free at-home testing kits you can have delivered to your doorstep. With so many options for STI testing, you have no excuse to not get tested. Even if you’ve been with the same partner for a long time or haven’t had sex in a while, it’s important to get tested. Some STI’s can take months or years to show up.

Clean Your Toys

It may not be something you want to deal with while you’re basking in an afterglow, but you need to regularly clean your sex toys after each use. Otherwise, you risk spreading STIs, bacteria, and other infections. Your toy will come with specific cleaning instructions, but most can be cleansed with a mild antibacterial soap and warm water. There are also some specialised cleansers you can buy that are designed specifically to clean sex toys. If you’re in a pinch, you can use a condom on more phallic style of toys.

Cleansing with soap should only be for your toys and not your genitals- especially if you’re female. Using soap, scented products, or douches can strip your vagina of the bacteria it needs to stay healthy and disrupt its natural balance. This in turn can make it difficult for your body to protect itself against infections.

Learn from Your Mistakes

Just about everyone is guilty of making a bad decision or two when alcohol is involved. People tend to participate in risky behaviour when they’re under the influence of alcohol or drugs so if you’re going to be impaired, make sure you’re with people you trust.

Always use protection if you have a casual encounter or one night stand. You don’t know their full sexual history and they probably don’t know yours. Plus, it’s possible they don’t know they have an STI if they’re asymptomatic. Some types of STDs can still be spread from skin-to-skin contact, like genital herpes and HPV, so be mindful of this and make safe choices.

If you do have unprotected sex or unsafe sex, take a breath and stay calm. Life happens and you won’t be the first (or last) person who got caught up in the moment. Make an appointment for STI testing as soon as possible and obtain emergency contraception like the morning after pill if you’re worried about pregnancy. You can get emergency contraception from your GP, health clinics, and most pharmacies.

Remember: nurses, GP’s, and other medical staff are trained to be compassionate and understanding. Don’t be afraid to turn to them if you’re worried about your sexual health or if you have any questions or concerns. There are several resources available to you that can help you have a happy, healthy, and enjoyable sex life.

Take Care of Your Sexual Health with Pharmacy Planet

Pharmacy Planet has several affordable sexual health products you can buy online with discreet and swift home delivery. From erectile dysfunction treatment to antibiotics to treatment for genital warts, Pharmacy Planet has you covered. Visit us today to buy medications like Warticon and Azithromycin Tablets online in the UK.