Holiday Sex & affairs
Holidays offer the chance to meet new people and maybe have sex with them or get closer to somebody you already know.
But with alcohol a large part of many holidays and high rates of sexual infections in some destinations, it is worth extra care.
Where are the condoms?
A trip to the drugstore is probably not the first thing that comes to mind when you get your holiday paradise. Depending on where you are traveling, you may not even be able to find a reliable supply of trustworthy condoms.
For whatever you might be up to prepare and, before going to stock up on condoms and other sex Essentials If you condoms when you are abroad to buy, be sure that you buy those with the CE mark to ensure that they are safe.
Remember, do not leave them in the sun, it may damage it, store them in a cool, dry place and make sure not to use sunscreen, baby lotion and other oil-based products as they may damage the condom. Make sure you wash your hands in between you are using the sunscreen and handling a condom.
Remember, though, to play it safe
Holidays are to forget about your day to day worries and relax, but that does not mean that you forget to practice safe sex.
Rates of serious sexually transmitted infections such as syphilis and HIV are much higher in some parts of the world. Most new cases of HIV infection among heterosexuals are trapped abroad.
One can not tell by looking someone if they have a STI or HIV so make sure you always use a condom.
Know the risks and how to reduce it, check our section on safer sex alternatives.
Oh, and remember that sickness or diarrhea may make the contraceptive pill less effective, and so can some medications, including anti-malarial drugs. Do not let this lead to an unwanted pregnancy of a holiday romance use a condom in order to protect against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
If something goes wrong.....
Not all STDs have obvious symptoms, and those who do, might not show at all not for a few weeks after you were exposed.
If you feel the symptoms are there, and want to know more, try our symptom-o-tron.
Better if you find out where you can get expert advice and get tested.
