{"id":4934,"date":"2022-02-10T19:54:47","date_gmt":"2022-02-10T19:54:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/?p=4934"},"modified":"2022-06-02T19:25:14","modified_gmt":"2022-06-02T19:25:14","slug":"the-ins-outs-of-hooking-up-during-a-pandemic","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/blog\/the-ins-outs-of-hooking-up-during-a-pandemic\/","title":{"rendered":"The Ins & Outs of Hooking Up During a Pandemic"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.4.8″][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/blogs.winona.edu\/wellness\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/6\/2020\/09\/Hooking-Up-COVID-1280-720.png” alt=”Th” title_text=”Hooking Up COVID (1280-720)” admin_label=”Hooking Up COVID Graphic” _builder_version=”4.8.1″][\/et_pb_image][et_pb_text admin_label=”Intro” _builder_version=”4.8.1″]<\/p>\n

Let\u2019s talk about sex<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_blurb title=”Always Ask for Consent” content_max_width=”100%” admin_label=”Consent” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Having sex is your choice. You should never feel pressured or rushed into having sex<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Always make sure to ask for consent from your partner.\u00a0<\/span>Consent is a verbal agreement between people about how and when they\u2019re comfortable with being sexually active.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Communication is\u00a0<\/span>like\u00a0<\/span>lubrication\u2013communicate with your partner about what you are comfortable with. It may be challenging to express what you want, so try practicing<\/span>\u00a0asking for what you want\u00a0<\/span>and<\/span>\u00a0saying no if you feel uncomfortable\u00a0<\/span>with doing something.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Stay Safe & Protected” content_max_width=”100%” admin_label=”Safe Sex” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

Before having sex, ask about your partner\u2019s sexual health history and ways that you can help each other stay safe from\u00a0<\/span>pregnancy<\/span>\u00a0and\u00a0<\/span>sexually transmitted infections (<\/span>STIs<\/span>)<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

There are several different ways that you can stay protected<\/span>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>You can use<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>condoms (male or female), dental dams for oral sex<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>and\u00a0<\/span>various forms of birth control.<\/span>\u00a0Lube is also another key factor in helping condom effectiveness.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

STIs are very common<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0and half of all sexually active people will get an STI by the age of 25.\u00a0<\/span>STIs can scare people, but it<\/span>\u2019s nothing to be ashamed of. If you have a feeling that you may have an STI<\/span>,<\/span>\u00a0go in and get tested. It<\/span>\u2019<\/span>s recommended to be tested every 3<\/span>-12 months if you<\/span>\u2019<\/span>re sexually active.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_blurb title=”Is COVID-19 Sexually Transmitted?” content_max_width=”100%” admin_label=”COVID” _builder_version=”4.8.1″ _module_preset=”default”]<\/p>\n

There isn\u2019t any current evidence proving COVID-19 is sexually transmitted.\u00a0<\/span>The virus spreads through respiratory droplets<\/span>\u00a0that can be inhaled or land on a person\u2019s mouth or nose.\u00a0<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

However, all close contact\u2014meaning within six feet\u2014of someone infected with COVID-19<\/span>\u00a0can put you at risk for contracting it. This means\u00a0<\/span>whether or not<\/span>\u00a0you\u2019re engaged in sexual activity,\u00a0<\/span>you could\u00a0<\/span>still\u00a0<\/span>be at risk<\/span><\/a>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_blurb][et_pb_text admin_label=”Bullet List #1″ _builder_version=”4.8.1″ hover_enabled=”0″ sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n

If you<\/span>\u2019<\/span>re sexually\u00a0<\/span>active with someone outside of your household, consider these precautions to reduce your risk of\u00a0<\/span>contrac<\/span>ting COVID-19:<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n