
Sex and Covid-19
Let’s be honest, these are not some of our sexiest times! Many of us are experiencing this “new normal” and adapting to changes. Changes with our hygiene, changes with our clothing selections and styles, and changes in our intimacy.
During these changes, it is important that we focus on our physical and mental health, as well as our sexual health.
Check out the following guidelines, tips, and resources for safe sex during covid-19.
Important Safety Tips
- The safest sex partner is yourself!
- Wash hands before and after sexual contact
- Wash and sanitize toys before and after sexual contact
- If you or your partner(s) are sick, avoid sexual contact
- Avoid having sex (or being close and intimate) if you or your partner(s) have a medical condition and they are at higher risk of getting the coronavirus.
- Kissing can spread the virus – limit kissing to only close contacts.
- Since COVID-19 has been detected in fecal matter, rimming might spread COVID as fecal matter can enter the mouth.
- The use of condoms, dental dams, and finger condoms are especially important to reduce the spread of the virus through saliva and feces.
Coronavirus Can Be Spread Through:
- Saliva
- Mucus
- Feces
- Coronavirus has NOT been detected through semen or vaginal fluids
Any time you are in close contact with another individual, you are at risk of contracting coronavirus. If you are intimate with someone, the virus can be spread through saliva and mucus.
Remember,
Take this time during quarantine to practice self-love and explore your creativity. Allow yourself to identify your needs and desires!
If you are dating someone or others that don’t reside with you, consider phone/video dating or sending personal letters
Thinking about meeting new people? Consider online dating
Sexual Health Resources
While many organizations and businesses have closed their operations, there are still resources available in your community! Planned Parenthood Keystone is offering family planning services like birth control and emergency contraceptive through telehealth. Berks Teens Matter is offering a private virtual Health Resource Center for Berks County youth ages 13-19. Co-County Wellness Services has free condoms, dental dams, and lubrication at their office! Click below to find more resources and info!
Relationships and COVID-19
Learn about long-distance dating, fun virtual date ideas, sexting, and more from Youth and Health Resource Center Coordinator, Johnathan! Watch the video or read the blogs below!
Have questions or want to learn more? Ask Johnathan!
Read the Blog – “About Long Distance Relationships” Series
About Long Distance Relationships – Part 1, Communication (English & Español)
By Johnathan Rodríguez Báez (He, him) Youth & Health Resource Center Coordinator Berks Teens Matter Relationships can be great, but they are definitely hard! They require time, patience, dedication. While lots of people have relationships where they see each other...
About Long Distance Relationships – Part 2, Dating (English & Español)
By Johnathan Rodríguez Báez (He, him) Youth & Health Resource Center Coordinator Berks Teens Matter Healthy communication is super important, but we also need to complement it with meaningful shared experiences…, which is another fancy way of having saying… Try to...
About Long Distance Relationships – Part 3, Sexting (English & Español)
By Johnathan Rodríguez Báez (He, him) Youth & Health Resource Center Coordinator Berks Teens Matter**DISCLAIMER** Berks Teens Matter is not endorsing, recommending or suggesting people to engage in online risky behavior. It is offering tools to reduce potential...
About Long Distance Relationships – Part 4, Boundaries and Love
By Johnathan Rodríguez Báez (He, him)Youth & Health Resource Center Coordinator, Berks Teens Matter Concluding this blog series about long distance relationships, we’ve talked about how important communication is, dating while apart and staying safe online. Now,...
Birth Control
- Birth Control Explorer
- How to Buy Condoms
- Talking to Your Doctor About Birth Control
- What Kind of Birth Control is Right for You?
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Abstinence
Relationships
STI's (Sexually Transmitted Infections)
Myth vs. Fact