More from SexIs - Safer sex 101.
EdenFantasys Store

Safer sex 101: all articles

  • BDSM 101: Erotic Asphyxiation

    Today’s guide is going to discuss erotic asphyxiation, what it is, and the major safety concerns it has.

  • How Dangerous Is It To Be Messy?

    I’ve seen some concern about the safety of various related activities: anal to oral, anal to vaginal, drinking urine, and urinating in the vagina. These sorts of activities are exciting and pleasurable for a minority of people. But I think most people’s natural repulsion lead them to over-state the dangers.

  • Sexual Myths: Debunking Them Part 3

    Today’s article focuses on some common sexual myths you might have heard and helps to explain why they are wrong

  • Sexual Myths: Debunking Them Part 2

    Today’s article focuses on some common sexual myths you might have heard and helps to explain why they are wrong.

  • Sexual Myths: Debunking Them

    Today’s article focuses on some common sexual myths you might have heard and helps to explain why they are wrong.

  • First Time Tips

    Sex can be a wonderful experience that allows us to bond, explore, ignite and surrender to a person in ways nothing else can. It can also be the cause of heartache, regret, disappointment and life altering choices that leave us questioning why we did it in the first place.

  • Masturbation doesn't have to be alone

    For me, I find masturbating with someone else, whether it be in-person or in the virtual world, to be a much more fulfilling experience than being solo. There is a thrill and shared intimacy in sharing the build-up and climax of an orgasm with another person.

  • Studies Show Circumcision Reduces the Risk of HIV...So Now What?

    Studies in Kenya and Uganda show that circumcision reduces the risk of contracting HIV, but does that mean circumcision should be the standard?

  • Sexual Education: Who is the teacher?

    Saying who is responsible for educating the youth about sex is not as simple as it seems. There isn't one right or wrong answer, but I feel the best course of action is a united front between the home and school.

  • Sex Education: Science, not BS, please.

    No matter what individual beliefs may be regarding sexual education, it is a public matter. Access should be easily available and the literature should be accurate.

  • Contraception Part 1 -- An introduction

    Contraception (preventing pregnancy) can be very confusing as many forms exist out there. This three part series will focus on how they work, their effectiveness, and the side effects they come with.

  • BDSM 101 -- Chastity

    Chastity play is a type of BDSM that denies a person the ability to have sex and masturbate. Today, we will talk about it, what toys are used to enforce it, and why someone would enjoy the experience.

  • Don't Worry, I'll Finger It Out Later!

    Fingering was a term I recall hearing as a young teenager that sparked my curiosity about what it must entail. My gentle and innocent ways prevented me from asking the burning questions that I so desperately needed to know.

  • What His Condom Choice Says About Him

    More accurate than a horoscope, more judgmental than US Magazine, and more wrapped in rubber than a set of rubber band balls, this is an easy to access guide to what you can learn about a partner when they pull a condom out.

  • SexFeed: Uncle Poodle of "Here Comes Honey Boo Boo" Tells the World He is HIV Positive

    Lee Thompson, famous from the hit show “Here Comes Honey Boo Boo,” came out last month about his HIV status. Here is his tale.

  • The Trials of a Long Distance Relationship

    Long distance relationships can be insanely difficult. Without constant interaction in person, you can easily come across a variety of issues. However, it can be done. Let me show you how!

  • Mutual Masturbation is a wicked alternative to going "all the way"

    Looking for something new to do in bed? With a new partner and not ready to do the penetration route just yet? Having trouble figuring out exactly how your lover likes it? A bit of an exhibitionist or voyeur? Mutual masturbation may be new to some people, but it can be one of the hottest, simplest acts for both foreplay or the main attraction.

  • Does Size Really Matter?

    Many people are hyped up over the idea that the size of your penis affects your sexual performance. Is that really true and if not why do people think this way?

  • Getting the Snip, Part Three: Another Option

    After deciding as a couple to get a vasectomy (part 1) and discovering that complications would prevent this from happening quickly (part 2), we had to look again at our birth control options.

  • Starting Sex Ed Classes: Maturity Before Age

    Children are hitting puberty younger than ever and are attending sex education classes at an earlier age, but not all children are ready to deal with the information that is being presented.

  • My Story: Recognizing and Preventing Rape

    This a bit heavy for a first article, but as someone who has been a victim, rape is a serious issue that men and women need to stay informed about. I admire the magazine Cosmopolitan for making a monthly article about the issue of campus rape and actually doing something to raise awareness of the problem. In this article you will learn about my experience and ways to be aware and safe.

  • S-T-I Can't Believe This Is Happening To Me!

    How can a piece of latex change your life? In more ways than I had considered. It took catching something to make me realize that the few seconds it takes to wrap it can make all the difference in the world.

  • In Praise of the PAP Smear

    There are few other things most women hate having to do. Despite its necessity, the PAP smear is a procedure only half of women in the United States schedule annually during the peak ages of HPV exposure. Yet, it’s the only definitive test for cervical cancers.

  • Little-Known Side Effects of Birth Control

    Hormonal birth control like the Pill, the patch, a shot like Depo-Provera and Nuva-Ring all provide your body with the kinds of and similar levels of hormones produced in the early stages of pregnancy in order to control fertility. Yet, certain side effects are not revealed because they were determined to be "irrelevant" to your experience of the drug.

  • Sex Myths in Our Schools

    Educating our children about sex is one of the most important lessons we can teach them in life. High school is a breeding ground for misinformation and peer pressure. Get to your kids first before their peers do.

  • Contraceptive Series Part 7: Ortho Evra, the Birth Control Patch

    This is the seventh installment of my contraceptive series, in which I will provide accessible information about Ortho Evra, the only available transdermal contraceptive in America at this time. This article will provide information about the basics of Ortho Evra— everything you need to know when making a decision about what contraceptive is best for you.

  • Contraceptive Series Part 6: NuvaRing, the Vaginal Ring

    This is the sixth installment of my Contraceptive Series, in which I will provide accessible information about NuvaRing, the only vaginal ring available in America at this time. This article will provide information about the basics of NuvaRing— everything you need to know when making a decision about what contraceptive is best for you.

  • Contraceptive Series Part 5: Depo-Provera, The Birth Control Shot

    This is the fifth installment of my Contraceptive Series, in which I will provide accessible information about Depo-Provera, the only injectable option available in America at this time. This article will provide information about the basics of Depo-Provera— everything you need to know when making a decision about what contraceptive is best for you.

  • How to have safe (and yes enjoyable) anal sex.

    This isn't your average "Go after it!!!" mission my friend. If you're going to explore places unknown, then both of you need to be informed. Otherwise it could be messy. No pun intended.

  • Natural Pregnancy Prevention Methods

    Most of us are familiar with the standard, everyday birth control methods such as the pill, Depo Provera injection, condoms, IUDs and more. However, did you ever find yourself wondering what people used before these methods were widely available, or what the people who have religious or other reasons not to use the doctor-administrated methods use? If so, you may find these natural birth control methods pretty interesting.

  • Is anal really worth it?

    The answer is Yes.

  • Contraception Series Part 2: Paragard, the Non-Hormonal IUD

    For those of you who read the first installment of my contraceptive series, this is the second installment, in which I will provide accessible written information about Paragard. Paragard is my favorite contraceptive to talk about because, well, I use it! This article will provide information about the basics of Paragard— everything you need to know when making your decision about what contraceptive is best for you.

  • Why AIDS is Still a Big Deal

    I've heard a lot of people say, "AIDS just isn't a big deal anymore." Thinking on this, and the approximate 34 million people who are living with it worldwide (and that's just the people who KNOW they have it), I want to know why anyone would say it's not a big deal anymore. It is to the people who have it, and it will be a big deal for those who don't know when they find out. And it would be a big deal for those who don't have the money or insurance to cover the expensive costs of AZT.

  • Someone Stole My Vibrator And It Wasn't The Dog

    Teenagers are horrible. I have two that I'd like to exchange, but they are extremely expensive and in this economy, I haven't had any takers - especially for the badly behaved ones. I know that teens go through a roller coaster of emotions, but I want mine to be able to come and talk to me about their sexuality, not just take money from my purse.

  • Contraceptive Series Part 1: Hormones and Your Body

    There are a lot of misconceptions about how birth control works and what the options are. As a feminist birth control researcher, I am working to dispel these myths through this series about each form of contraception available on the market in the United States. In this introduction to the series, I am giving an overview of the two feminine hormones and how they work in contraceptives.

  • Knock Knock. Who’s There? Herpes.

    At 21, I was diagnosed with an STD. Though I have happily found someone who accepts me and doesn't judge me for my past, society still says it's OK to make jokes about diseases that are killing people. You wouldn't make a joke about cancer, so why is it OK to joke about syphilis?

  • I want you in the worst kind of way.

    At some point in everyone’s life, they have decided to try something new in the bedroom. These stories prove that some people should just stick to missionary.

  • Getting the Snip, Part One

    This series of articles will detail the experience of getting a vasectomy. In this part, I discuss how my boyfriend and I decided that vasectomy was the right form of contraception for us. The next part will cover his experience of the procedure itself, and then I will write about how the procedure is affecting our relationship and our sex life.

  • Porn stars protest condom-only porn measure

    They appreciate safe sex, just not in their industry.

  • No Love Without the Glove: Forget That!

    I've always been the type of girl to strictly believe that condoms were the best way to go. Birth control has too many side effects and I never wanted to take the risk. But oh was I pleasantly mistaken!

  • The Condom Broke, Now What?….Plan B

    Plan B is the emergency contraceptive pill that can be taken up to 72 hours after unprotected sex or in the case of failed birth control such as the condom breaking. There is important information you need to know.

  • Growing up Sexual: Puberty in the Internet Age

    The internet allows people of any age, gender, or sexuality in any location to connect instantly. The information highway is limitless and utterly incredible. But in a world where teenagers must be digitally connected to be "cool" and anonymity is key, what changes can we expect to see in our children? What can we do to help and better understand our children in this unpredictable and challenging cyber universe?

  • 3 Scary (Deadly) Trends in our Youth

    They do what?! And put it where?! The youth of today are very creative, but sometimes the desire to get the quickest buzz or latest gadget can turn deadly. Here are some of the dangerous trends occurring in younger people.

  • All The Crap That Can Go Wrong With Our Cooches

    STD testing: a necessary evil that all sexually active people must partake in at least once in their lives. Fortunately I am disease free today at 36 years of age. But that's because of my horseshoes up my arse, so to speak. For females there are a number of things that can go awry in your reproductive system. Some are STDs while others just mimic the symptoms. Here's my personal account of a bunch of issues I and my body have had to face.

  • STI 101: HPV

    One of the most common STIs is HPV. It has been estimated that roughly half of sexually active people will have HPV at some point in their life. Despite how common it may be, many people may not know the facts about HPV.

  • The sex talk from above?

    This is my piece of knowledge I'd like to drop on ya'll and my opinion with it.

  • STD Myths: You Can't Really Believe That!

    It's amazing the crazy things people believe when it comes to STDs and protection. Here are some of the craziest I've heard, and the real truths that people need to know.

  • I'm horny and drunk. Wanna F@ck?

    How much alcohol is too much?

  • Chlorhexidine. It’s in your Eden Wipes and many of the toy sprays. What is it?

    Chlorhexidine is a hospital grade antimicrobial. It is used for treatment and prevention of infections. It's very impressive that it is used in our toy cleaners.

  • BDSM 101

    So you're interested in learning more about BDSM or even ready to start going down that road? Read on and I'll describe a few of the things that you might want to try out, without sending you running for the hills.

  • How To Make Your Own Amateur Porn Not Suck

    If your going to make porn at home, you may as well know how!

  • Syphilis: The Silent One

    Syphilis starts with one sore. You may or may not know you have it as it could be internal. Then you develop a rash a month later; it doesn't hurt, it doesn't itch, and it goes away. Years later you may find that you are positive and didn't even know it. Syphilis is not routinely checked for and the treatment in the early stages in one simple shot. If it goes untreated, you may have irreversible damage to your body.

  • Anal play!

    This is just a quick guide for anyone who's interested in anal play or penetration, with some tips I've picked up on through personal experience.

  • Cuffs, Chains, and Rope; OH MY!

    Some of us get all tingly at the thought of our partner tying us up. There is something intoxicating about one half of the equation being at a complete disadvantage. There are more options on how to go about doing this than one who think at first glance.

  • How Young Is Too Young?

    Following up on my last article I wanted to make a point that I do not believe that every raging hormone, sex crazed, young teenager should be having sex. The people I preached for were that of ages 20 or higher. But here is now an interesting point: how young is too young for teens to be sexually active?

  • My "No Sex" Education

    Is abstinence really the best way? Find out how the Abstinence Only approach to sex education has impacted my life and what I'm doing about it. Get my tips on your recovery and how to teach your teens about sex.

  • Advocating Circumcision

    In recent years, the American tide has turned against circumcision. "Inactivists" speak out against what they call an unpunished form of genital mutilation and more and more states health coverage is refusing to cover the procedure. Yet, inn all the discussions of the negative side effects, these inactivists often gloss over the pro's of circumcision.

  • Bondage Around the House

    So you want to try bondage? You don't want to go out and buy fancy handcuffs or rope from a hardware store? That's ok, there are everyday household items you can use for your little fantasy!

  • Where in the world are the dental dams!?

    Condoms have become standard practice in sexual education, but dental dams remain something rarely discussed. Why is it that sex education is so often told through old fashioned terms?

  • The Birds and the Bees: Why the Sex Talk Isn't Always Necessary

    There is always a lot of pressure on parents to have "the talk" with their children, but it might not be as big of a deal as you've been told.

  • Let Me Go Get My Rubbers

    I hate that people think that condoms are an option for birth control. The only time you should be using condoms as your birth control method is if you wouldn't mind a birth or two in your future.

  • Seeing Red in the Bedroom

    The idea of having sex during my period always freaked me out. After some research, I decided to give it a shot.

  • Anal For Beginners

    Feel like experimenting with anal, but not exactly sure where to start? It's not as complicated as it may seem, check it out!

  • Is High School Sex Ed Going Too Far Or Not Far Enough?

    With the rate of teen pregnancy escalating, I have to wonder... are high schools doing their part to prevent it?

  • So, what's so bad about phthalates, anyway?

    Before coming to EdenFantasys, I was left in the dark about all things related to sex toys. I didn't know anything about what materials the toys were made of, what phthalates were, or why some materials are better and safer for the body than other materials are.

  • BDSM Training Schools Online

    School is in session for Dominants and Submissives alike with several online institutions to choose from offering everything from the basics of BDSM to the intricacies of specific fetishes, relationships and even legal matters.

  • Guys, Gays, and Dildos (Not as gay as it sounds)

    For about as long as sex toys have existed, there's always been the assumption (by the ignorant majority) that straight guys can't own a toy, specifically a dildo. If you're in the mood to read a rant, read on!

  • A Paranoid Geek's Guide to Sneaky Sex Toy Ordering

    Do you secretly lust after sex toys, but fear ordering any lest your parents discover your secret and kick you out of their basement to fend for yourself in the cruel, cruel world? Fear not, for there are plenty of clever ways to sneak sex toys into your geek cave and hide them once they've arrived. Read on.

  • Mouth-Breathers Need Kink Too!

    I love gags! Especially ball gags! The only problem is I can't breathe through my nose, and I know I'm not the only person with that problem. So what do you do when you want to be gagged, but you also want to breathe? I'll tell you!

  • So, You Read ‘Fifty Shades’, and Now You Want to be a Sub…

    Yes, I get it. You read all three of the ‘Fifty Shades’ books in one weekend, you’ve looked up some stuff on the Internet about BDSM, and now, you’re DYING to be a sub, right? You even typed up a contract just like the one in the book, went and bought a pair of handcuffs, and put a wanted ad in the craigslist personals looking for a Dom. Right?

  • From Raped And Repressed, To Rabbit Aficionado: A Tale Of Redemption Through EdenFantasys.

    It took me twelve years to mentally and emotionally recover my sexual health after being raped the first time I had sex. It took another six years for me to find a trustworthy man with whom I could explore my newfound sexuality. And the healing all started with an ad in the back of Cosmopolitan magazine and a vibrator from EdenFantasys.

  • A Message for World AIDS Day from Edenfantasys

    In honor of World AIDS Day 2011, the staff of Edenfantasys got together to share our personal messages of hope, remembrance and encouragement.

  • When the Assault on Planned Parenthood Becomes Personal

    My relationship with Planned Parenthood is personal. When I was 19, I was in an abusive relationship and when I found out I was pregnant, Planned Parenthood was there for me. I credit the organization with saving my life. They provided me with all of the information I needed to make an informed decision. I am not ashamed or embarrassed; I am simply grateful that I had a choice and a place to turn.

  • Cock Teases

    Novelty condoms put the funny back in fucking. Just be mentally prepared for that initial burst of laughter when you climb into bed with your blueberry-scented schlong.

  • The Center For Sex And Culture Is Looking For A Home…Again

    Landmark San Francisco organization faces challenges due to its hands-on nature and pansexual audience.

  • More Bang for Your Buck: My Love/Hate Relationship with the Porn Industry

  • The Ethics of Bareback

    Condom-less porn (or bareback) is on the rise in gay outlets, and as popularity creates a demand for more and more, studios and performers are leaving the protection in the nightstand.

  • Equal Risk for Equal Play

    In some ways, American culture is still stuck in the 1950s. Although in theory the sexual revolution has happened and we know that women can be just as interested in sex as men, in reality the sexual double standard is alive and well and living in Paris…Texas.

  • Dr. Dick on Demand: Sex Work and the Herky-Jerk of Supply and Demand

    Providers and consumers are two sides of the same coin; the operative word being coin. Few things are more troublesome to the social hierarchy than the notion of sex for money. And yet, as the saying goes, there’d be no supply if there weren’t a demand.

  • The World AIDS Day Project: Live Through This

    The July 2, 2009 ruling of Naz Foundation v. Government of NCT Delhi decriminalized homosexuality in India, and the world declared this a groundbreaking victory for the Indian gay rights movement. While India going gay made for sensational news, the issue that caught the world’s attention wasn’t actually the primary focus of the ruling. The issue at its heart of was HIV/AIDS.

  • The World AIDS Day Project: AIDS through My Days

    My first exposure to someone with AIDS happened in my late teens. My friend John, the man who both demystified gay male sexuality for me, and helped me understand what it was like to be a sexual minority, introduced me to a friend of his: a handsome young man who was in hospice care, waiting for the inevitable.

  • The World AIDS Day Project: Learning Out Loud

    Two decades as an HIV educator and counting.

  • The World AIDS Day Project: An Inside Look at the AIDS Service Center NYC

    Director of Business Development and Communications Anne West Church provides an up-close and personal glimpse into the heart of ASC-NYC’s Union Square facility.

  • The World AIDS Day Project: On the Frontlines of the Forgotten War

    For Executive Director, Sharen I. Duke and the dedicated staff at the AIDS Service Center NYC, the battle rages on. In this video interview, she provides an overview of ASC's ongoing mission.

  • Dr. Dick on Demand: Human Rights, Sexual Rights and World AIDS Day

    World AIDS Day brings into focus the micro-strategies needed to combat a macro problem.

  • (Willful) Ignorance Is Bliss

    When it comes to STDs, for many people, it’s much easier simply not to know.

  • Dr. Dick on Demand: Virginity

    Virginity is a very touchy issue in just about every culture on the globe. Curiously enough, it’s almost always exclusively about female virginity. This sad double standard gives rise to emotional conflicts for both genders. But again, it is young women and girls who bear the brunt of it.

  • Observations of a Sex Positive Gypsy: Sex and Shame

    Playing with fire, sex, and shame.

  • The Bloggess: Tips for Virgins

    So you think you’re ready to have sex, huh?

  • There is pretty much no kind of porn that doesn’t already exist.

    It’s a little sad, really.

  • Catching Cancer Off a Toilet Seat: The Truth about HPV

    There's a lot of talk going on these days about HPV, from hysteria to disinformation, to the occasionally sharp pang of truth. Sarah Sloane pulls back the blinds and takes a closer look.

  • Zen and the Art of Sex Toy Maintenance

    Sex toy maintenance, from self-enlightenment to wish-fulfillment - and then some!

  • What is Safer Sex?

    It’s a buzz-term, it’s an ever-present harbinger of doom, it’s somebody else’s problem: what is safer sex, and why is it all about YOU?

Safer sex 101: most commented

Safer sex 101: projects

What's Hot

Sexis in your inbox

Keep up on new articles, projects, columns and more