Safe sex tips for holiday romance

ESSENTIALS: COMMUNICATE OPENLY AND HONESTLY

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Whether it's meeting someone new or rekindling a current relationship, a holiday romance can add excitement to your time away. To stay healthy and safe, remember to prioritize safe sex. Here are some tips from Affinity Health to help you enjoy the holiday season responsibly.

1. Communication
Before starting an intimate relationship, open and honest communication with your partner is important. Talking about sexual health can be difficult, but it builds trust and openness. Essential topics to include are past partners, STI testing, contraception, and personal boundaries.

Here are some helpful questions:

• When did you last get tested for sexually transmitted infection (STIs)?

• Do you have any preferences or boundaries you'd like to discuss?

• What kind of contraception do you prefer?

Open communication keeps both partners informed and creates a foundation for a respectful, consensual relationship.