SAFER SEX, PART ONE

FROM ABSTINENCE TO MONOGAMY ABSTINENCE FROM SEX, also called celibacy, is often recommended for the prevention of pregnancy as well as to safeguard against infection by sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as syphilis (see card 75), gonorrhea (see card 76), herpes (see card 77), and AIDS (see card 63). However, the desire for sex is normally so strong that for most people abstinence is only a temporary solution.

MASTURBATION WITHOUT A PARTNER, also called sexual selfstimulation, precludes both pregnancy and infection with STDs and AIDS. It is rarely recommended to the public, though, primarily because in certain religions it is considered a sinful practice.

PHONE SEX, which usually consists of engaging in a sexually explicit telephone conversation while masturbating, also bypasses the risks of pregnancy and STD or AIDS infection, but it too is seldom recommended to the public, again due to religious taboos.

DRY SEX consists of achieving orgasm while fully clothed, through friction with a clothed partner. While it precludes pregnancy and infections with STDs and AIDS, many people find it unsatisfactory in terms of pleasure. Most religions frown on it.

VIRGIN MARRIAGE MONOGAMY OCcurs when people who have been abstinent or who have masturbated without a partner marry and only have intercourse with each other for the rest of their lives. Virgin marriage monogamy will not prevent pregnancy, but it will prevent infection with STDs. It is often endorsed by religious groups. The only problem with virgin marriage monogamy is the possibility that one or both partners may secretly engage in sex out-

side the marriage and thus introduce an STD into the partnership. Next Card 65: SAFER SEX, PART Two: From Kissing to Intercourse

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SAFER SEX, PART ONE