Contraception and STI prevention

📗 Contraceptionmeans deliberatelypreventing pregnancy from penis-in-vagina (PIV) sex, through the use of particular methods, like medication (hormones) or a device.

📗STI-prevention refers to preventing sexually transmissible infections (STIs), usually through barrier methods such as condoms. STIs can be transmitted between people of all sexes and genders, through different types of sex , not just penetration.

Sex involves other kinds of risks, besides managing pregnancy and STIs. Sex can involve the risks of being vulnerable with yourself and your partner, opening your heart to intimacy and connection, or trying something that you have never tried before. For many people, there can be emotional risks that can come with sex.

At the same time, risk is not necessarily a ‘bad’ thing. You risk being rejected, in order to ask someone out on a date. You risk getting your heart broken, so that you can experience true love and intimacy.

That's why it's important to balance your risk, to look after yourself physically and mentally, so you can open yourself up to love, sex, fun, and connection.

In many movies, the characters don't talk about contraception, because many script writers don't think that it's 'sexy'. Most porn doesn't feature any visible use of contraception. Many people in porn may be using contraception that's not visible, such as the Pill or a vasectomy. Professional performers in pornography get tested for STIs frequently, and often aren't allowed to perform unless they have a medical clearance.

As a viewer, you may not be aware of pregnancy risks or risks of STIs. Iif you ever want to try the things you have seen in porn, it's important to think about contraception , as well as STI prevention, if you ever want to try the things you have seen in porn.

On the next page, we will look at some of the types of contraception that are available, and discuss some of the pros and cons of each.