5 Safe Sex Practices for a Sexy Summer

Whether you’re traveling for vacations or internships, partying til you drop, or experiencing your first single summer, one thing remains true for anyone planning to have sex this summer: safe sex practices are a must. 

Summer has a reputation for being spontaneous. Things you might have said ‘no’ to before suddenly turn into ‘for the plot?’ But while spontaneity can make for a great summer (and make great stories in the future), your sexual health shouldn’t be left to whatever happens.

A few simple safe sex practices can help you enjoy everything this summer has to offer without bringing home a sexually transmitted disease (STI) or stressing about an unintended pregnancy.

1. Buy your own condoms

This may seem like a given, but it's so important that it literally needs to be drilled into. your. brain.

Whether they're external condoms or internal condoms, never assume that whoever you’re having sex with will have them. It may even be a good idea to buy different sizes and different materials (latex and non-latex for any allergies) and keep a few handy in your bag, pocket, or room in case things go down there.

This also eliminates any excuses of “I don’t have any protection on me. Can we just not use it?” because you won’t have to rely on anyone else to bring it. You also never truly know if someone else’s condoms are safe, especially if this is a one-night stand situation.

They could be expired, damaged, or tampered with. You never know, and in this case, it's better to be extra cautious than sorry by bringing your own. 

Note: When pairing lubricant with condoms, make sure the lubricant is water-based to reduce the risk of condoms breaking down.

2. Get tested regularly for any sexually transmitted infections

If you are sexually active, especially with multiple or different partners, it would be wise to consider getting tested regularly. Getting tested allows you to stay informed about what’s going on in your body and also helps prevent the spread of STIs from partner to partner. It can also give you peace of mind if you’re able to show your sexual partners up-to-date test results while also asking if they have any recent results of their own.

Mount Sinai offers free, confidential services, and can answer any questions about how often you should get tested, other resources available to you, and information on medications.

Many colleges and universities also offer free testing, and Planned Parenthood provides free or low-cost testing as well. 

Tip: Follow organizations on Instagram to keep up with any free testing events or informational posts. 

3. Consider getting on PrEP

According to Mount Sinai, PrEP, or Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis, is a medication taken before exposure to HIV that can significantly reduce your chances of getting HIV.

Some potential options are a once-a-day pill, an on-demand pill taken when you know you’re going to have sex, or an injection taken every two to six months. You can make an appointment with Mount Sinai to find out if you’re a good fit for PrEP and learn which option would be the best fit for you.

If you have already been exposed to HIV or think you may have been, you should look into PEP, or Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, which should be started within 72 hours after exposure. New York City also has a PEP hotline that you can access online, or you can access your local emergency room.

4. Always keep people in the loop

Some of us love filling our friends in on our sexual adventures, while others prefer to keep things private.

Whichever one you resonate the most with, it’s important to let at least one or two trusted people know if you’re leaving a party with someone or meeting up with someone, either for sex (if you’re more open), or to just hang out (if you want to keep it on the down low).

This helps in case anything goes south, whether you were feeling this person at first and now the vibes are off, or the situation becomes unsafe, potentially resulting in sexual harassment, assault, or rape.

Sharing locations with someone you trust or letting them know where you’ll be gives someone the ability to check in on you if needed, and gives you some extra peace of mind that someone knows where you are.

5. Talk to your sexual partner(s) about sex, kinks, and consent

We get it, sometimes sex can be awkward to talk about, or you may worry that discussing what you are and aren’t comfortable with will ruin the mood. However, having these conversations beforehand or even in the moment can help you gauge whether someone may be a good fit for you as a sexual partner.

Not everyone likes being tossed around in the bedroom, praised, or even talked to at all during sex. Letting your partners know what you’re into and what you’re comfortable doing can save everyone from any uncomfortable or unpleasant situations. It is also important to talk about consent.

Hearing what your partners think about consent can tell you a lot about whether they take it as seriously as you do. You may also want to establish a safe word to use during your sexual interaction if you think it's necessary.

Also, remember that consent is an ongoing process that can be withdrawn at any time. Agreeing to something once does not mean you are obligated to continue if you change your mind!

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There are plenty of safe sex tips to keep in mind as you dive into your sexual endeavors this summer (and all of the time!).

The most important thing to remember is that safe sex is self-care. It’s better to be overly cautious than to end up in a situation that puts your body or anyone else's at risk or under unnecessary stress. 

Step out of your comfort zone. Try new things this summer. Be spontaneous. Have fun whenever, wherever, and with whoever.

Just don’t compromise your sexual health, because safe sex is sexy.