Safe Sex Practices

Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
I'll keep this private so that everyone feels comfortable responding, but feel free to elaborate on your response. I'm just curious about what people's practices are in regards to safe sex. I know there have been a couple polls about condom use and dental dams, but I thought I'd pull together a more comprehensive poll to address some more aspects. I know that practices are going to vary greatly depending on the relationship you are in, the situation, etc. but I've tried to address some of the main points and would encourage any elaboration in the discussion. Check as many boxes as apply to you...and we'll see what happens, if a situation doesn't apply to you, just don't check it. Since toys are generally safe (unless you're sharing them) assume that I'm not referring to penetration with sex toys unless I specifically am referring to it. Like most polls I expect most people will give more "sometimes" answers than anything else, but I'm just curious to see what people's practices tend to be.
Answers (private voting - your screen name will NOT appear in the results):
I always insist on a condom when performing/receiving a blow job
2
I sometimes insist on a condom when performing/receiving a blow job
6
I never require a condom when performing/receiving a blow job
66
I always insist on a dental dam/barrier when performing/receiving oral sex
2
I sometimes insist on a dental dam/barrier when performing/receiving oral sex
1
I never require a dental dam/barrier when performing/receiving oral sex
60
I always require/wear a condom for vaginal penetration
20
I sometimes require/wear a condom for vaginal penetration
27
I never require/wear a condom for vaginal penetration
21
I always require/wear a condom for anal penetration
17
I sometimes require/wear a condom for anal penetration
12
I never require/wear a condom for anal penetration
16
I always require/wear latex gloves for fingering/hand play
1
I sometimes require/wear latex gloves for fingering/hand play
4
I never require/wear latex gloves for fingering/hand play
53
I have been tested for STD's
49
I have never been tested for STD's
17
I insist that my partner(s) are tested for STD's
26
I have multiple partners at any given time
11
I usually only have one partner at a time
68
Total votes: 479 (91 voters)
Poll is closed
06/04/2010
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Contributor: Sammi Sammi
I'm in a monogamous relationship - 19 years married this year, and together for 26, so we use no protection whatsoever. We also have no worries about getting pregnant now (permanent birth control).
06/04/2010
Contributor: Yesenia Yesenia
I think its very important to get tested I try to be as safe as possible. I'm not perfect but I try.
06/04/2010
Contributor: VieuxCarre VieuxCarre
I get tested after every sexual encounter I have, though I only have relations with people I know and have known for quite some time. It's keeping me safe and ultimately I'm the one that matters most in my life.
06/05/2010
Contributor: Fun Lover Fun Lover
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
I'm in a monogamous relationship - 19 years married this year, and together for 26, so we use no protection whatsoever. We also have no worries about getting pregnant now (permanent birth control).
Diddo for us to married for 35 years this month.
06/06/2010
Contributor: Annemarie Annemarie
Before I even consider sex with someone, I and the potential partner get tested for STDs, whether I know them or not, unless I'm in a completely monogamous relationship with them.
06/07/2010
Contributor: Ciao. Ciao.
Glad to see the responses so far. My experience, for those curious, I've been pretty much monogamous with the same partner for my entire sex life (we had a threeway with a female friend once, that's about it). We use condoms only for penetrative sex, but otherwise don't worry about it, but if I was to engage in anything with another partner I know I'd want to be safe for any oral or penetrative play unless I knew them well and/or they were tested for STD's.

Not surprisingly it seems most people here are monogamous, though I would be curious to see responses from people who are not necessarily partnered like that.
06/08/2010
Contributor: Gunsmoke Gunsmoke
Quote:
Originally posted by Sammi
I'm in a monogamous relationship - 19 years married this year, and together for 26, so we use no protection whatsoever. We also have no worries about getting pregnant now (permanent birth control).
Ditto - and loving it!
06/08/2010
Contributor: El-Jaro El-Jaro
I admit that I wasn't the smartest (safest) sexer out there for my first few years. I'm VERY lucky, though.

Thankfully, I'm in my longest, safest, and most desirable relationship of my life. We've been together almost 2 1/2 years and have some long term plans in the mix.
06/08/2010
Contributor: Alicia Alicia
Quote:
Originally posted by El-Jaro
I admit that I wasn't the smartest (safest) sexer out there for my first few years. I'm VERY lucky, though.

Thankfully, I'm in my longest, safest, and most desirable relationship of my life. We've been together almost 2 1/2 ... more
Yep, I was very lucky too because I only practiced minimally safe sex. Granted I was monogomous..but in short term relationships you never truly know if they are, or what they picked up from the last relationship!
07/26/2010
Contributor: SexyySarah SexyySarah
Well I'm married, and only with him and vice versa so we never use anything, hate that stuff!
07/26/2010
Contributor: AU AU
I've only had one sexual partner, he's only had me. We aren't very cautious, and we haven't had any testing. I ever dated again (probably won't, though), I'd be much more careful, use protection, maybe get STD testing done occasionally.
07/29/2010
Contributor: Darling Jen Darling Jen
I'm in a committed monogamous relationship and we are both the only sex partners either of us have had. We both had complete check-ups and testing even prior to having sex with each other for the first time. So we've never needed or used any protection whatsoever. And we share toys during play but always wash them thoroughly when we're done. I think the only time we've used a condom was to protect my vagina from a particularly smelly, low-quality toy. And since my partner is trans, there's no need for birth control either.
07/29/2010
Contributor: ~LaUr3n~ ~LaUr3n~
Quote:
Originally posted by Ciao.
Glad to see the responses so far. My experience, for those curious, I've been pretty much monogamous with the same partner for my entire sex life (we had a threeway with a female friend once, that's about it). We use condoms only for ... more
I'm pretty much the same way. Condoms for vaginal sex with my monogamous partner but nothing otherwise. We both got tested in the beginning of the relationship. I always get tested before a new relationship because you never know if your last partner fooled around and you don't know about it...
07/29/2010
Contributor: Midway through Midway through
Condoms for actual intercourse, but not for oral sex. Though, I've heard that I need to be more careful with oral sex as well. So IDK, I might try out a form of protection for that.. but I'm not sure yet.
07/29/2010
Contributor: Coralbell Coralbell
My partner and I have only been with each other so we don't have to worry about STDs and I'm on birth control pills. We use condoms occasionally when we need a backup.
07/29/2010
Contributor: Valyn Valyn
I put in a lot of "sometimes" answers in there. It really depends. When I'm first with a guy I'll insist, but like now I've been with my guy for a few years and we don't use anything. I think it's a good idea to insist on maximum safety with a new partner until you both get tested and share the results. Also, if either of you plans on having multiple partners, that needs to be out in the open and safety measures need to continue.
07/29/2010
Contributor: oliverHyde oliverHyde
We have many partners, so we use protection with anyone outside of our marriage. We also get tested every 6 months (or so, sometimes we forget) just in case because some things (like herpes) are really good at getting around barriers.

also sometimes shit happens. condoms can break. play partners can lie/or think that they're clear when they're not.
08/02/2010
Contributor: Timaree Timaree
i maintained a strict "condoms every time" policy until i was with my partner that i plan to marry.

and while we're talking about it.....here's a little info on the infamous pulling out method and how it might actually not be that bad at preventing pregnancy link
08/16/2010
Contributor: socceras socceras
Quote:
Originally posted by Ciao.
I'll keep this private so that everyone feels comfortable responding, but feel free to elaborate on your response. I'm just curious about what people's practices are in regards to safe sex. I know there have been a couple polls about ... more
the only time i would have unprotected sex is when im married
10/23/2010
Contributor: CynicallyYours CynicallyYours
i do have unprotected sex but it depends on the situation. i've had the same friend with benefits for over a year now and not only is he clean, but he's had a vasectomy and been cleared by his doctor as sterile so we don't usually use a condom.

with most other people i usually insist on a condom for sex but not oral. i don't bother with a condom for oral because i won't sleep with people whom i don't know are clean and clear of STDs.

in my younger days i lived a bit more dangerously and i'm very lucky i didn't get pregnant or catch anything back then. these days i'm much more careful and don't get involved with people as easily as i used to.
10/24/2010
Contributor: mnc5051 mnc5051
I am usually in long term relationships and don't use protection
11/07/2010
Contributor: darthkitt3n darthkitt3n
I am tested for STDs when I go for my check up at the gynecologist, which is typically every 3-4 months. I suppose I don't really need it, since I only have one partner, and he is clean. I used to use a condom every time, though not so much anymore, since I am on the pill.
12/03/2010
Contributor: Lucidity Lucidity
I get tested after every partner and am on BC. I will not have unprotected sex with a partner until we go together to get tested for all STI's and HIV, so I can see their results. Also, I have to trust that they are faithful as well. That's pretty important.
12/16/2010
Contributor: LavenderSkies LavenderSkies
Quote:
Originally posted by Annemarie
Before I even consider sex with someone, I and the potential partner get tested for STDs, whether I know them or not, unless I'm in a completely monogamous relationship with them.
Smart!
03/18/2011
Contributor: tickle me pink tickle me pink
It's always just been me and my husband, so I don't worry about STD's, and the only time we use any kind of protection is during anal sex. I had him use a condom when I gave him oral sex once, but combining that with all the times I did it without I hardly think it really counts.
04/10/2011
Contributor: MaryExy MaryExy
My guy insists on condoms when he visits. Personally I don't find them necessary for giving him oral (I remember my sex ed book, even it admitted that it's a very slim chance you'd get an STD from it). For vaginal and anal penetration I like the idea of condoms. For vaginal I like the extra barrier against pregnancy (I know the pill's like super effective, but still!). While we haven't tried anal yet (that's next visit probably), I don't like the idea of risky bacteria possibly getting on him. I'll research that further, though, probably.
04/10/2011
Contributor: sexy19364 sexy19364
Master and I do not have another partner right now, and we are fluid bonded, and I take the pill. So we do not use any protection. We have not tried anal yet, but I think I would use condoms for that.
04/10/2011
Contributor: SiNn SiNn
Quote:
Originally posted by Ciao.
I'll keep this private so that everyone feels comfortable responding, but feel free to elaborate on your response. I'm just curious about what people's practices are in regards to safe sex. I know there have been a couple polls about ... more
me and my fiancee have been together over 10 yrs and we have mutual partners we invite in our bed to get tested other then that no protection
06/21/2011
Contributor: Nipplopulous Nipplopulous
Quote:
Originally posted by Ciao.
I'll keep this private so that everyone feels comfortable responding, but feel free to elaborate on your response. I'm just curious about what people's practices are in regards to safe sex. I know there have been a couple polls about ... more
dang....good question but now i feel bad....
08/06/2011