Risky Business
Below is a very candid list of behaviors in order of STI transmission risk from highest to lowest risk:
- Unprotected anal intercourse
- Unprotected vaginal intercourse
- Sharing needles (for drugs, piercing)
- Sharing implements that draw blood (whips, knives)
- Unprotected oral sex on a menstruating woman
- Unprotected oral sex on a man with ejaculation
- Unprotected oral-anal contact
- Getting urine or feces in mouth, vagina, anus
- Unprotected fisting or finger insertion
- Unprotected oral sex on a man without ejaculation
- Unprotected oral sex on a non-menstruating woman
- Sharing uncovered sex toys
- Anal intercourse with a condom
- Vaginal intercourse with a condom
- Oral sex on a man using a condom
- Oral sex on a woman using a latex barrier
- Oral-anal contact using a latex barrier
- Fisting or finger insertion using a glove
- Petting, manual-genital contact
- Deep (French) kissing
- Spanking, whipping that does not break the skin
- Bondage and discipline play
- Masturbation (alone or with partner)
- Hugging, touching
- Massage
- Talking dirty, phone or net sex, fantasy
Prevention Measures
The best way to protect future fertility is by avoiding STIs altogether.
In order of prevention success rate:
- abstinence from sexual contact
- using latex or female condoms with spermicidal jelly
- using latex or female condoms without spermicide
In addition to the above:
- Ask your physician for an STI screen regularly if you are sexually active at all. Make it a regular part of your annual gynecological visit or physical.
- Talk to your sexual partners before engaging in any risky behaviors about the possibilities for both of you. Remember that, in effect, you engage in sexual activity with all of your partner's previous partners.
- Be open with your partners about your own sexual health history.
- Consider avoiding risky contact with any partner who refuses to be open about their health history.
© Tracy Morris
