Whether you’re planning to party at a festival this Summer, jet off on holiday or indulge in a holiday romance - it’s important that we stay mindful of our sexual health and continue to practise safer-sex. We know it’s easy to forget to look after our sexual health when spontaneous sexual encounters come into our lives, so to help you stay sexually safe - here are six ways to protect your sexual health this Summer.

Choose the Right Contraception

Choosing the right contraception is an important step in protecting your sexual health. Whilst it’s a crucial part of a healthy sex life throughout the whole year, Summer months are especially important as the warmer weather may increase our desire for spontaneous encounters and Summer romances. Depending on your needs - there is a contraception to suit every preference, such as condoms, contraceptive pill, depo, implant, intrauterine devices (IUS/IUD) and patches. For those that are sensitive to hormones or have a latex allergy, there are non-hormonal methods and latex-free condoms. With so many choices of contraception available - make sure you are stocked up this Summer so you can continue protecting your sexual health and decreasing the risk of unplanned pregnancy. 

Practice safer sex

Caught up in the excitement of partying and Summer crowds, it’s easy to get carried away and lose sight of your sexual health. However, it’s important to remember to practice safer sex, especially when you’re lost in the moment. Engaging in sexual activity with a new partner always carries a risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection, so it’s important that you remember to communicate openly about sexual health and make sure you have condoms on you - just in case you find yourself having an impromptu rendezvous. 

Packing for your Summer

We know that Summer is the season of fun, adventure and spontaneity and with that comes lots of planned trips, holidays or festivals. It’s easy to forget about protecting our sexual health when it comes to packing a suitcase, but it’s important that we remember to safeguard ourselves to prevent the risk of catching a sexually transmitted infection or unplanned pregnancy. Therefore, this Summer, when you’re packing your suitcase, remember to pack your condoms or contraceptive methods - it’s also a good idea to pack wipes and sanitiser  - think of it as your own personal hygiene kit, just in case you need it. 

Stay hydrated

Summer months lead to higher temperatures, which can often result in dehydration, especially if we are drinking more alcohol or dancing energetically at festivals. Dehydration may lead to decreased libido and natural lubrication which may make sexual activity or intercourse more painful or uncomfortable. To prevent this from happening, make sure you are staying hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day, and if this still doesn’t help you can always use a water-based lubricant to make sexual activities more comfortable.

Protect against sexually transmitted infections (STI’s)

Summer flings and casual encounters might be tempting over the Summer period, but it’s important that you make sure your sexual health stays protected. Condoms are a good way of protecting the transmission of sexually transmitted infections as they act as a barrier between genitals - preventing any sexual fluid from being transferred. If you do indulge in a sexual counter over the Summer holidays, it’s important to have a sexual health check- up two weeks after your rendezvous as it can sometimes take 14 days for symptoms to appear.

Be Mindful of Alcohol 

In the hot Summer months, it’s easy to consume more alcohol than normal. Whether you’re attending festivals, jetting off on a summer holiday, or simply spending more time outside, it’s important that you don’t let alcohol impair your judgement or decision-making, especially when it comes to sexual encounters. If you are planning on drinking alcohol, be mindful of your actions so you don’t inevitably end up having unprotected or regrettable sexual encounters.

To help you stay organised and stock up on your favourite condoms this Summer - between the 25th - 29th August, we are offering 25% off all sexual health essentials. Click here to check this out...