Sexual Health During the COVID-19 Pandemic
A lot of people have wondered if it is possible to contract the COVID-19 through sex. If you have ever been bothered by this thought, you should know that COVID-19 is not an STI.
However, even though COVID-19 might not be an STI, you do not need to have sex with an infected person to contract it. Just mere coming 6 feet or 2 metres close to an infected person is enough for you to contract the virus, especially if they cough, sneeze, or even breathe out.
Covid-19 also spreads through the saliva or mucus; one could get infected from an intimate activity like kissing. Coronavirus can also be gotten from contact with faeces. This means engaging in sexual activities like unprotected anal sex or using a sex toy that has been used by an infected person makes it possible for you to get the virus through exposure to faecal matter in the anus or on the sex toy.
Research has not shown if COVID-19 can be spread through the semen or vaginal fluids yet, even though the virus has been found in the semen of COVID-19 patients. Do ensure to use condoms for protection against all other infections that can be contracted from sex.
Safe Sex During a Pandemic
Because there is no way to truly ascertain if one has COVID-19 by merely looking at them, a good number are even asymptomatic, it is best to continue to keep a safe distance from everyone, especially people you do not live with. This also means you should avoid having sex or engaging in any sexual activity with someone you do not live with it; this is the best way to avoid contracting COVID-19.
If you do live with your partner and any of you become unwell or exhibit any COVID-19 symptom, it is also good advice to desist from any sexual activity until you are both feeling fine. Do remember to always seek the consent of your partner before you engage in any sexual activity, even if you are dating or married. Your partner may not want to engage in sex because they worry about contracting COVID-19. If you or your partner are already battling with a chronic health condition, it is best to avoid sex altogether. This also applies to those whose immune systems might be compromised because they are battling cancer or living with HIV that is not managed well.
The safest sexual activity to engage in during this pandemic is masturbation. Do ensure your hands and sex toys are clean and washed before and after masturbating. You should consider sticking to this if you are single or do not live with your partner.
If you and your partner do not live together, you could try a sexual activity virtually via phone call, video, or text, as long as you are both consenting adults who agree to respect each other’s privacy.
But if you must have sex or are sexually active with a person(s) outside of your home, here are a few suggestions to keep safe:
- Do not have sex with someone unwell or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms
- Make sure to use condoms or dental dams during anal and oral sex.
- You should also wear a mask and avoid kissing since the virus can be spread through saliva.
- Ensure that you have washed up before and after sex, this includes sex toys and the area of sexual activity.
- If it is possible, maintain just one sexual partner.
The best advice is to self-isolate and social distance. This might seem difficult, but do remember the pandemic is here only temporarily, and the only way to make it leave soon is to continue social distancing. When it is finally gone, we can all have as much sex as we want.
If you have more questions on how you can keep the flame in your relationship through this pandemic, kindly reach out to our Moderators on our Facebook Page or call Marie Stopes for FREE on 08000022252. Use the code – LMNaija. You can also speak to someone via WhatsApp using – bit.ly/mariestopeschat
