Practicing healthy sex can not only provide sexual satisfaction, but also benefits the health of the body. If sex is done in an unhealthy way, the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases will be even higher.
Having sex is known to provide many benefits for physical and mental health, from increasing endurance, reducing stress, to maintaining normal blood pressure.
In fact, a study revealed that having sex at least twice a week can reduce the risk of heart disease and cancer while maintaining a harmonious relationship between you and your partner.
However, these various benefits can be obtained if you and your partner always practice healthy sex. If not, you will not get the benefits, but a sexually transmitted infection that endangers health.
Various Risks if Ignoring Healthy Sex
Healthy sex is safe sex behavior that is done only with one person. If you are a sexually active person, it is advisable to practice safe and healthy sex.
If you ignore healthy sexual behavior, you are at greater risk of developing various sexually transmitted diseases. The following are some of the sexual diseases that can occur if you ignore healthy sex:
1. Gonorrhea
Gonorrhea or gonorrhea is caused by bacteria Neisseria gonorrhoeae or gonococcus. Gonorrhea can be transmitted to other people through sexual intercourse, either oral, anal, or vaginal.
Symptoms that can appear when a person is exposed to gonorrhea are:
- Greenish thick fluid discharge from the intimate organs
- Pain when urinating
- Pain in the pelvis or lower abdomen
- Spots come out after sex
- Bleeding between periods
- Inflammation at the edges of the vagina or vulva
- Swelling and sore throat after oral sex
2. Genital Herpes
Herpes is a sexually transmitted disease caused by the herpes simplex virus. This disease can be transmitted through sex or direct contact with herpes sores.
People with herpes will feel white nodules filled with clear fluid or small red bumps accompanied by pain after intercourse.
If the skin around the patient's genitals blisters, breaks, or bleeds, these conditions will leave scars or ulcers. These scars then cause pain when urinating. Blisters due to herpes virus infection can also appear around the mouth.
Until now, there is no treatment that can completely cure genital herpes. Treatment steps are generally only to reduce symptoms.
3. Kgenital
This disease is caused by human papillomavirus (HPV) which can be transmitted through sex or physical contact. A person infected with this virus will usually have warts around the genitals, including the anus.
However, warts can also appear on other parts of the body such as the hands, fingers, soles of the feet, face, and neck. Growing warts are not only uncomfortable, but also painful and itchy. Furthermore, some types of the HPV virus can cause cervical cancer.
In addition to the several diseases above, ignoring healthy sex by changing partners, not wearing condoms, and not paying attention to the health of yourself and your partner, can increase the risk of getting HIV and hepatitis B. Risky sexual behavior can also lead to unwanted pregnancies.
Moreover, if you also have anal sex. This is because bacteria and viruses can more easily enter the bloodstream. As a result, the risk of anal cancer or HIV becomes higher. In addition, anal sex can also make it difficult for the anal muscles to hold feces.
Tips for Having Healthy Sex
There are several tips that you can do in implementing healthy sexual behavior, including:
- Having sex with only one person
- Clean yourself before and after intercourse, especially in the intimate part
- Using a condom
- Keeping vital organs clean
- Vaccination
- Check with the doctor regularly
Enjoy healthy sex by maintaining the health and hygiene of yourself and your partner. Not having multiple sexual partners and always using condoms is the right way to have healthy sex.
Also avoid having sex while under the influence of drugs or alcohol. Keep in mind that by practicing healthy sexual behavior, you and your partner can avoid various sexually transmitted diseases that can be dangerous.
Therefore, it never hurts to make sure you and your partner's sexual health condition is seen by a doctor before deciding to have sex.