Is Safe Sex Really Safe?

Gone are the days when people could have multiple partners without the use of a condom, and other safe sex practices.

Safe sex is all about keeping yourself, and your partner, protected from the complications of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted disease.

Although the concept of safe sex seems easy enough to understand, more and more people — young people in particular — seem to be missing the point, or missing the concept of how to accomplish safe sex. And just how safe and reliable is that condom when it comes right down to it? A condom can’t promise 100% protection from AIDS or from pregnancy.

For males in particular, another problem with practicing safe sex is remembering to take the time to …

(a) have a condom ready
(b) know how to use it properly, and
(c) take the time to put it on.

It’s important to educate young people today in the proper use of condoms so that they understand when and how to use them. There’s no point to having a condom ready if neither partner is going to take time to enforce its use. In a very practical sense, however, although a condom is typically worn by the male partner during heterosexual intercourse (and typically by both partners in a homosexual one), the responsibility for proper condom-IQ is borne by both partners.

Fortunately, there are more and more products appearing on the market to help people to plan for safe sex and to practice this method of responsible intercourse. Since both the birth control pill and the condom aren’t 100% effective, combining the use of both of them together will increase your chances of staying safe.

It’s also vital to be aware of a partner’s sexual history, and to seek “medical clearance” before engaging in a new relationship. This is especially important for those in polygamous relationships (more than one sexual partner at a time), because a “chain” of unsafe sex can start with any partner and spread rapidly through a previously healthy group.

The only way that there are going to be less unwanted pregnancies, and less transmission of STD’s is if all sexually active people – both young and old — are educated in the concepts of safe sex and what it means to them. In particular, in parts of the country where access to information is more challenging (such as some underprivileged areas), it’s vital that communities step forward and provide this education.

Young men, in particular, need to understand the implications and risks of unprotected sex and what it can mean to their lives when they have an unwanted pregnancy or find out that they have a STD. Safe sex starts with education and knowledge, neither of which any young teen can do without.

Do You Have a Happy Sex Life?

Many couples are often curious about their sex life and how it compares to the sex life of others. In all honesty, you are able to determine, on your own, if your sex life is good, happy, and healthy. With that said, there are some common signs that you may want to look for. These signs, a few of which are outlined below, often signal a happy and healthy sex life. Are you receiving the ultimate level of satisfaction?

Sign #1 – You Have a Healthy Relationship

Couples who have a healthy relationship use communication with each other and often. They are able to let their partners know when something is bothering them. Each partner understands that their relationship involves two fully committed individuals. Couples with happy and healthy sex lives often do not have unrealistic expectations or make excess demands on their partners.

Sign #2 – Experimentation in the Bedroom

Experimenting in the bedroom is another sign that you may have a happy and healthy sex life. Of course, this does not mean that you and your partner have to become the next big adult movie stars, but experimentation can improve your sex life significantly. It is also important to remember that experimentation comes in a number of different formats. It can be something as simple as having sex at a different time of the day, in a different part of the house, or extended foreplay sessions. Fantasies and fetishes are fun and okay, but only if both parties agree to them. Be sure to consult with your partner before going “overboard.”

Sign #3 – Sex is Given Freely

In many relationships, especially long-term relationships, sex can be seen as a chore. This isn’t how it should be. Sex should be something that you and your partner want, not a responsibility that needs to be fulfilled. If you and your partner are open to both spontaneously engaging in the act, you may have a happy and healthy sex life. When you have sex because you want to, as opposed to because it is your “job,” maximum benefit and pleasure is achieved.

Sign #4 – Sex Becomes a Regular Part of the Relationship

It is no secret that having an active sexual relationship can be difficult. With raising families, working, and other common duties, sex can often take a back seat. Another sign that you may have a happy and healthy sex life is if you don’t let your day to day responsibilities and duties get in the way of having sex. Regardless of how busy you are, if you still find time to have sex with your partner, you have a healthy sex life. Just be sure to remember that sex doesn’t have to be scheduled. In fact, spontaneous sex can do wonders for a relationship.

Sign #5 – Sex is more than Just an Act

Contrary to what most people believe, sex is more than just having intercourse. An important component of having a happy and healthy sex life is that of engaging in foreplay. Foreplay can be something as simple as holding hands or giving a relaxing massage. Love notes, kind gestures, and doing something that your partner may not expect on a daily basis are all easy ways to keep your partner interested in you, both emotionally and physically. You have a healthy and happy sex life when the romance continues on long past intercourse has come to an end.

So, do you have a happy and healthy sex life? If a number of the above mentions signs describes your relationship with your significant other, there is a good chance that you do.

Even if you have a happy and healthy sex life now, it is important to remember that things may change. Remember that as time passes, it may be easier to let sex impact your relationship negatively. Be sure to always keep an open line of communication with your partner, especially where sex and their needs are concerned.

5 Easy Ways For Parents to Spice Up Their Sex Life

Are you married? If you are, are you also a parent? If you are married and a parent, how is your sex life? Depending on the age of your children and the size of your family, it might not be great. Many parents wish that they had a better level of intimacy with their partner and on more occasions. If you are one of those individuals, there are a number of steps that you will want to take.

When it comes to intimacy in a relationship, it is important to remember that more than the bedroom and sex is and should be involved. Does your intimacy only get started when you climb into bed? If so, there may lay the problem.

If you are a parent, you will want to consider using the service of a babysitter. This will enable you and your spouse to get out of the house and enjoy time alone. In fact, you can even have a “real,” date. Go to dinner and a movie with your spouse. Unfortunately, many married couples find themselves entering into a comfort zone that results in their relationship feeling more like a friendship than a marriage. Do not let your relationship get to this point. Dating is a nice and easy way to prevent that from happening.

In addition to hiring a babysitter, rely on a trusted friend or family member. What is nice about taking this approach is the comfort level. Instead of picking a babysitter out of a phone book, you are entrusting the care of your children into someone that you know and trust. This alone can result in you having a better time on a date. You may also feel more comfortable leaving your children with a trusted friend or relative overnight, as opposed to an unknown babysitter. What does this mean? It means that in addition to enjoying a traditional date, you may also enjoy a nice, sexual night of privacy, possibly at a nice hotel.

In keeping with childcare that will allow you and your spouse to spend some romantic, intimate, and quality time together, consider approaching other parents. Do you know the parents of your children’s friends? If you do, consider making a monthly arrangement with them. Let them keep your kids for one night and you can do the same for them. This approach is nice, as you are likely to feel comfortable living your children in the care of another parent. Also, remember that all parents find it difficult to seek privacy and intimacy. You may be doing the other set of parents a huge favor.

As important as dating is and can be to your relationship, be realistic. Not every night can be a date night. With that said, there are still ways that you can be romantic and intimate with your spouse at home. For example, sneak in a few hugs and kisses here and here. When your wife is cooking dinner, walk up to her, rub her back, and plant a kiss on her. When your husband is walking past you, stop him and give him a quick kiss. A simple kiss is enough to show your partner that you care and want to be intimate with him, without making your children, who may be watching, feel uncomfortable or out of place.

Another unique and creative way to keep the romance and intimacy alive when you may be unable to have sex or go on a date is the use of text messages. Do you and your spouse have and use cell phones? If you do, send them a sexy and seductive text message. Let them know that you can’t wait until they arrive home. Even if your partner is sitting across the room from them, send them a quick message. If you do not own or use a cell phone, know that a handwritten love note can be just as effective.

As you can see, there are a number of ways that you, as parents, can still have a happy and healthy sex life. Implement a few of these steps to help keep your relationship and its romance alive and well.

5 Ways to Improve Your Intimacy with Your Husband

Are you married? If you are, you likely love your husband. With that said, love isn’t always enough to keep a relationship going strong. Intimacy is very important to having a strong, happy, and healthy relationship.

How is your life in the bedroom? Do you think that your sex and intimacy can be improved? If so, you may be nervous about discussing the subject with your husband. After all, your husband may wrongly get the impression that they don’t satisfy you anymore. If you are interested in improving your intimacy with your husband, there are still a number of other, different approaches that you can take. A few of these approaches are touched on below.

1 – Date

If you and your husband have been married for a while, there is a good chance that you haven’t gone out on a date in a while. Many married couples get to a point in their relationship that is commonly called “the comfort zone.” This zone is not one that you want to be in, as your relationship may feel more like a friendship. To prevent this from happening, ask your husband out on a date.

Although many wives believe that their husbands should do the date asking, you sometimes have to take hold of the situation yourself. Now may be one of those times. Choose an activity that is romantic, such as a romantic comedy for a movie or a nice restaurant. This can help to spark a little bit of romance and passion in your relationship, which may lead to better and closer intimacy at home.

2 – Show Romantic Gestures

When it comes to “wowing,” in a relationship, women sometimes think that men should do it. You will also want to “wow,” your husband, like you did the first time that you met. One of the easiest ways to do so is by performing a number of romantic gestures. When out shopping with your husband, grab their hand and hold it. When walking by them in the house, give them a quick kiss. Sending a love note to work with them is another romantic gesture that you may want to try.

3 – Be Sexy and Seductive

If your marriage enters into the above mentioned comfort zone, sex and intimacy may seem like a thing of the past. If you do have sex, it may seem more like a responsibly, a chore, or even work. To help reduce these feelings, be sexy and seductive. Do not wait for your husband to initiate sex and do not ask if your husband is up for it first, just get right down to business. Strip for your husband or simply just remove their clothes. Snuggle next to them on the couch and just start massaging their whole body. You may be surprised just how easy and effective it is to be sexy and seductive.

4 – Be Spontaneous

As it was previously stated, do not ask your husband if he wants to have sex and do not wait for him to start. Instead, take matters into your own hands. Whether you start with a little bit of foreplay or jump right into the intercourse, do so. Your husband should like the surprise. Also, remember that being spontaneous involves having sex at different times of the day, as well as in different locations of the house.

5 – Offer to Experiment In the Bedroom

To improve sex and intimacy it is important to know that a change can do you good. You may want to suggest to your husband that you experiment in the bedroom or take them up on their suggestion to do so. Remember that experimenting in the bedroom doesn’t have to mean getting an additional sex partner or doing something that makes you feel uncomfortable. A new sex position may be just what your relationship needs.

As you can see, there are a number of easy ways that you can go about improving your intimacy with your husband. So what are you waiting for? Get started today.

How to Talk to Your Wife About Sex

Are you married? If you are, there are likely a lot of topics that you and your wife discuss throughout the day. Common conversation topics include work, friends, family, and bills. One topic that many couples do not always discuss, even though they should, is that of sex. Are you interested in improving your sex life? If you are, you may need to talk to your wife, but should you?

Yes. You should. It is important to talk to your wife. An open line of communication is important to have a happy and healthy relationship in general. Poor communication may have a negative impact on your entire relationship, not just your sex life. Husbands who do not properly communicate with their wives often end up putting their relationships in harms way. Do not let this happen to you and your marriage.

If you do decide to talk to your wife about sex, namely improving your intimacy, it is important to proceed with caution. You do not want to criticize your wife or make her feel inadequate. Are you not having your desires filled? If so, don’t outright tell your wife that. Doing so may cause even more problems to arise. You do want to get the best level of intimacy possible, but you also don’t want to hurt your wife’s feelings in the process. For that reason, you may want to try a different approach. Consider suggesting new things in the bedroom, such as a new position or a weekend away.

When talking to your wife about sex, it is also important not to push. If you want to see an improvement in your sex, state so and give a few suggestions. However, do not keep on brining the topic back up. Give your wife a few days or even a few weeks to make adjustments in the bedroom. This time is needed because your wife may be hurt when she learns that you aren’t pleased by her sexually. It is natural for her to take time to think about the situation before taking action, which may involve implementing a few of your suggestions.

Next, it is important to listen to what your wife has to say. Unfortunately, many men make mistake of believing that their wives just aren’t interested in being intimate anymore. Although this can be true in some cases, it likely isn’t the case with your wife. Your wife may experience other problems. For example, many women are nervous and fearful of aging. This may result in them wanting to showcase their body less. A deceased sex drive may also be caused by something out of your wife’s control, such as a medical condition or a medication side effect. That is why it is not only important to talk to your wife, but also listen to what she has to say.

If you still do not know how to start a conservation about sex and intimacy with your wife, there is another approach that you can take. You can consider giving her a gift. There are a number of great gifts available that can not only be useful in the bedroom, but gifts that can help to get a conversation started. A book on new sexual positions, a new sexy outfit, or massage oils are all items that you may want to examine. A gift not only provides you with an opportunity to start a conversation, but it is also a nice gesture. Depending on what you decide to purchase, you may find it easier to shop online. Many stores are discrete with the packages they send out; therefore, you should be able to keep your wife’s gift a surprise even if she is the one to pickup the mail.

In short, talking to your wife about sex may be something that you want to avoid, but you shouldn’t. An open line of communication is vital to a happy and healthy relationship.