MEGA Active asks certified sex expert Dr. Rica Cruz how to practice safe sex before, during, and after
Among her many titles and professions, sex and relationships therapist Dr. Rica Cruz is also a certified sex expert or “sexpert,” as the internet calls it. With these in mind, we asked Dr. Rica to weigh in on several topics ranging from sexual wellness to intimacy. In this article, we’re rounding up all the ground rules Dr. Rica laid down in our interview with her about how to have safe casual sex before, during, and even after.
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What counts as safe sex?
According to Dr. Rica, safe sex means that you are not putting yourself at risk of any sexually transmitted infections. “I guess not a lot of people know that because when they think of safe sex, what first comes into their minds is not getting pregnant or not getting someone pregnant,” she mentioned.
When engaging in sex, you should aim for at least a minimal risk of sexually transmitted infections. With that, Dr. Rica advises against assuming someone’s clean just because of their educational background or job position. According to her, this is a common notion in the Philippines because some feel that if the other is working or is educated, it follows that they don’t have STIs. But, of course, that’s not the case.
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Another misconception Dr. Rica wants to correct is that just because you’re not feeling symptoms, it doesn’t mean you’re not a carrier of sexually transmitted infections. In fact, she says there are a lot of STIs sexually active people can be carriers of without feeling any physical symptoms, such as HPV or human papillomavirus.
How do I protect myself?
Besides the obvious, like regularly checking in with your doctor and getting examined and tested at clinics, you can take personal steps to safeguard your sexual health by staying hygienic. Specifically, washing your body before and directly after the act, whether it’s oral sex, penetrative sex, or vaginal.
Aside from keeping up with your hygiene, Dr. Rica advises others to always use protection, especially for casual sexual encounters. “If it’s casual sex, then please wear condoms properly. Wear them before you put the penis inside—not before the penis is going to ejaculate,” she explained. In other words, pulling out is not a safe option.
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And if you are in an exclusive relationship and don’t want to use condoms, Dr. Rica mentioned that it’s still important to get tested and know the status of your health. Dr. Rica further reminded us that STIs can also be transmitted through oral sex, so it’s best to use dental dams or even cling wraps. Otherwise, know that you’re at risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections.
Aside from those things, she said that you would also want to drink water. Staying hydrated before, during, and after sex is all part of staying healthy.
