How Safe is Sex?

Sex or copulation is the primary tool for the reproduction of the human species. The young man across the street and his girlfriend next door wish that having sex could be structured, in such a way, that there is no attendant risk to it. However, unwanted pregnancies and incidents of sexually-transmitted diseases do occur. These make sexual contact less appealing for some. With the unprecedented advances in technology, what progress have we made in the area of birth control? It seems to be a lot if we based it on the data for the period 2015-2017 of the National Survey of Family Growth. It showed close to 47 million or 64.9% of women in the US in the 15-49 age category using some form of contraception.

Female sterilization or tubal ligation is the most preferred method of birth control at 18.6%. Although it involves a surgical procedure to seal or block the fallopian tube, it is popular because it does not affect sexual libido and does not have the side effects of other methods of contraception. Oral contraceptive pills came in close at 12.6%, mainly because of their convenience and affordability.  Long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) like IUDs were at third with 10.3%. Bringing up the rear is the ever-reliable male condoms at 8.7%.

One can enjoy sex and stay away from unwanted pregnancies by using proven contraception methods. Be well-informed of the advantages and disadvantages of each, however, before making a choice. It is your body, after all.

by Dr. Barry Verkauf, author of the book, Sex, Science, Society, and Reproduction: The Pill that changed America