[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"Article","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/08\/what-does-safe-sex-mean\/#Article","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/08\/what-does-safe-sex-mean\/","headline":"What Does “Safe Sex” Mean?","name":"What Does “Safe Sex” Mean?","description":"Featuring Deborah J.","datePublished":"2015-08-22","dateModified":"2021-04-23","author":{"@type":"Organization","@id":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/campaigns\/southcentral-pa","name":"UPMC Harrisburg","url":"https:\/\/www.upmc.com\/campaigns\/southcentral-pa","sameAs":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/upmc-harrisburg\/","parentOrganization":"UPMC"},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"UPMC HealthBeat","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/04\/UPMC-HealthBeat-Logo.png","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/what-does-safe-sex-mean.jpg","url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/08\/what-does-safe-sex-mean.jpg","height":324,"width":754},"url":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/08\/what-does-safe-sex-mean\/","about":["Living and Wellness","Men's Health","Women's Health"],"wordCount":394,"keywords":["Pinnacle Health","What does \u201csafe sex\u201d mean?"],"articleBody":"Featuring Deborah J. Herchelroath, DO, FACOOGSafe sex can mean a number of different things to many different people. \u00a0Not only can safe sex mean being physically safe, but also being emotionally safe. The following are some ways people practice safe sex:Sexuality and its role in having a healthy relationshipProtecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) \u00a0like HIV\/AIDS, Hepatitis, Syphilis, and \u00a0many moreFeeling secure and safe around the person with whom\u00a0you are intimateUsing contraception to prevent pregnancyBeing intimate in other ways besides traditional penis-vagina sexThe first blog in this five-part series will address sexuality and its role in having a healthy relationship.Sexuality and Healthy RelationshipSexuality is a big part of being human. Love, affection, and sexual intimacy all play a role in healthy relationships. They also contribute to your sense of well-being. Taking care of your emotions, looking out for risk factors in advance, and safeguarding yourself, is just as important as doing what you can to prevent STIs or unwanted pregnancies.Sexual activity should never involve pushing, or one person doing something they don\u2019t truly want to. Entering into an activity you don\u2019t want to do or are afraid of, or pushing someone else to, is a recipe for hurt feelings, a lack of trust, and sexual and emotional trauma.It is critical to developing solid sexual communication and sexual and emotional boundaries with your partner. Unsafe sex practices are exacerbated by gender-power relationships, which can make a person of any age less able to refuse sex and more vulnerable to sexual coercion and unwanted sex. Young women can be particularly vulnerable.Sexual health is the ability to embrace and enjoy our sexuality throughout our lives. It is an important part of our physical and emotional health. Achieving sexual health allows for healthy relationships, planned pregnancies, and STI prevention. Feeling confident about your sexual health also is very important. That\u2019s why it\u2019s essential to be well-informed about all aspects of sexual health and what it takes to have a fulfilling sex life.Safe sex is an important topic that requires much more time than one blog can give. Stay tuned for the next blog on protecting yourself from STIs. In the meantime talk to your primary care provider or gynecologist about any questions you might have about sexual health."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"2015","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"08","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/\/08\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":3,"name":"What Does “Safe Sex” Mean?","item":"https:\/\/share-dev.upmc.com\/2015\/08\/what-does-safe-sex-mean\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]