Talking About Safer Sex
Talking about safer sex is easiest to do before the heat of the moment, and if you have a regular partner it can be an ongoing conversation. Unfortunately, many people wait to bring up safer sex until they are turned on, half-naked and entangled in a passionate embrace, at which point it’s a lot harder to think clearly and make a good choice. Don’t be left in the dark when it comes to safer sex!

Safer sex is a shared responsibility. How will you bring it up?

Sex Talk Tips:

• Learn as much as you can about safer sex so that you can have an informed discussion with your partner.
• Decide for yourself what you will and won’t do. Being clear about your own sexual limits will make it much easier for you to communicate them to your partner.
• Rehearse what you want to say. Being prepared builds confidence and helps to alleviate any fears or feelings of embarrassment ahead of time. Practise how to bring up the topic and what you want to say with a friend or family member or just visualize how you want things to go in your head.
• Talk about it when you are both sober. Drinking alcohol or using drugs can make it harder to follow safer sex guidelines. People sometimes don’t make good decisions under the influence.
• Listen to your partner. Hopefully your partner has also done some thinking about safer sex too but don’t count on it. Give your partner some time to think and listen respectfully to what she or he has to say.
• Keep talking. Talking about safer sex is not just a one time conversation. It’s important to keep the dialogue going as your relationship evolves. Communication builds intimacy and a healthy relationship.
• Keep a sense of humour. Safer sex is a heavy topic sometimes but it doesn’t mean that you can’t laugh and have fun with it. Sometimes a bit of humour helps to break the ice and makes everyone more comfortable.