Healthy and safe sex on New Year’s Eve

• Introduction to sex on New Year’s Eve
• What is healthy sex?
• Risks associated with unhealthy sex
• Making sex healthier
• Tips for managing health risks following unsafe sex
  • Sexually transmitted infections
  • Pregnancy
  • Psychological health issues

Introduction to sex on New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is traditionally associated with all-night parties. For many people it may involve a midnight kiss and subsequent sexual activity. Sex will sometimes occur with a new partner whose STI status is unknown. In these circumstances sex carries a risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and HIV infection, in addition to the usual risk of unplanned pregnancy. Because a lot of people drink alcohol on New Year’s Eve and binge drinking is also common, New Year’s Eve sex might occur when the partners are intoxicated. In these circumstances the risk of STI and pregnancy is increased, because intoxication reduces inhibitions and makes individuals less likely to use condoms to protect themselves during sex.

What is healthy sex?

Healthy sex is sex that avoids the risk of physical and psychological health problems, including STIs, unplanned pregnancy and psychological health problems. For individuals in stable, monogamous relationships, there are several ways to prevent pregnancy and STI. For example, women in a stable relationship might use a long term method of contraception such as oral contraceptive pills to prevent pregnancy. Couples in a stable relationship might also visit a health centre to screen for STIs and HIV. In a situation where both members of the couple are STI free and only have sex with each other, it is safe to have sex without using a condom, although they may still wish to use a condom as a contraceptive measure.

For individuals who do not know the STI and HIV status of their partners, using a male or female condom every time they have oral, anal and vaginal intercourse is the only way to effectively prevent infection from an STI. While there is still a small risk of STI when using a condom (e.g. if it breaks or slips off, or if the STI can be transmitted through contact with infected skin, such as with genital warts), the risk is greatly reduced. When used correctly and consistently, condoms provide 95% protection against HIV infection. Condoms also provide highly effective (98%) contraceptive protection when used consistently and correctly, and thus can also prevent unwanted pregnancy.

Risks associated with unhealthy sex

There are a number of risks associated with having unhealthy sex on New Year’s Eve (or at any other time of year). These include:

• Unplanned pregnancy: Unplanned pregnancy can cause considerable emotional stress and also has significant health consequences, as women who are not planning to fall pregnant may not have undergone preconception care to prepare their bodies for a pregnancy;
• STIs: Includes Chlamydia, syphilis, gonorrhoea and genital herpes. These STIs are all curable, but may cause discomfort and pain until they are treated. Treatment requires health centre visits and the cost of purchasing medicines;
• HIV infection: HIV is a serious and incurable STI that leads to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) and ultimately death;
• Emotional health problems: Emotional problems may relate to concerns about possible pregnancy and STI, but may also be caused by confusion and guilt over having sex. Emotional health problems might also arise if the sex involved coercion, or if one of the partners was excessively drunk.

Making sex healthier

There are many ways to make sex on New Year’s Eve (or any time of year) healthier. For individuals who are in stable relationships, ensuring that a permanent method of contraception is being used (or another method is available for those who do not wish to use permanent methods), that both partners have undergone STI screening, and both partners are monogamous can effectively prevent pregnancy and STI infection. For individuals who have sex with a casual partner on New Year’s Eve, other measures are necessary to avoid the health risks of sex. These include:

• Using a condom correctly every time you have oral, anal or vaginal sex;
• Carrying condoms with you regardless of whether you are male or female, and even if you are not planning to have sex – you may change your mind over the course of the night, and finding a free supply or outlet to purchase condoms on New Year’s Eve may be difficult. Condoms should be stored in a cool place; they are more likely to break or tear if exposed to heat, so do not store condoms in hot places (e.g. the glovebox of a car, or a wallet) for long periods of time. It’s also very important to check the expiry date of the condom before using it;
• Avoiding getting drunk. Contracting an STI or conceiving is more likely when you are drunk;
• Being aware that you have to right to say “no” to sex at any time. You should not feel pressured to have sex because your partner wants to and is coercing you (e.g. by begging and saying that they cannot live without sex) or using physical force. All individuals, whether they are male or female and regardless of age, have the right to withdraw from a sexual engagement at any time, including after kissing has started, after they have gone to the partner’s house, and after they have started having sex. It is illegal for your partner to pressure or use force or violence to make you have or continue sex; and
• Think about delaying sex until after New Year’s Eve, especially if you are intoxicated on the night.

Tips for managing health risks following unsafe sex

Avoiding unsafe sex on New Year’s Eve is the best way to avoid the health risks associated with it. However, practising safe sex is not always easy, especially if the sexual partners are drunk. Even safety-conscious individuals who use a condom may be exposed to health risks if the condom breaks.

There are many ways to reduce the risk of STI, pregnancy and psychological health problems following unsafe sex. It is important for individuals who have had unsafe sex to consult a health professional as soon as possible, ideally the day after the unsafe sex.

Sexually transmitted infections

To manage the risk of STI following unhealthy sex, individuals should visit a doctor to:

• Undergo screening tests for a range of curable STIs: (e.g. syphilis, Chlamydia). Some STIs do not have any visible symptoms. These STIs can be effectively and easily treated if they are detected, but if left untreated may damage the reproductive organs or cause pain and discomfort;
• Test for HIV infection: Tests for HIV should be done at least three months after the unsafe sex, because the HIV antibodies may not be evident in the blood until then. While HIV is incurable, proper management of the infection prolongs life and maximises quality of life; and
• Take some condoms: Be prepared to make your next sexual encounter a safe one.

Pregnancy

Women who have had sex that puts them at risk of pregnancy should take emergency contraception within 5 days of unprotected sex to reduce the risk of becoming pregnant. Women who had unhealthy sex and have missed their monthly menstrual bleeding should take a pregnancy test to determine whether or not they are actually pregnant. Those who are pregnant should:

• Obtain advice from a health professional about possible options for the pregnancy, including termination and the possibility of delivering the child and having it adopted. Health professionals will offer objective information about the health risks and benefits of various options;
• Obtain a referral to a pregnancy termination service provider if they do not wish to proceed with the pregnancy. There are many pregnancy termination service providers in Australia who can terminate pregnancy in safe, sterile conditions;
• Obtain a referral to an adoption agency, if they wish to continue with the pregnancy and have the child adopted after it is delivered;
• Obtain antenatal care and nutritional counselling if they wish to proceed with the pregnancy, regardless of whether they will have the child adopted;
• Obtain emotional support or referral to support services if they are having trouble deciding whether or not to terminate, are depressed or anxious about the pregnancy, or think they may become depressed or anxious.

Psychological health issues

Individuals who are experiencing psychological health problems following a sexual encounter may require referral to professional counselling to help them cope with their emotions. Some people may simply feel confused and guilty about having sex, while others may have experienced coercive sex or rape, and require counselling to help them cope with this. Sexual assault is common in Australia; 1 in 5 women and 1 in 20 men experience some form of sexual assault in their lifetime. Some people who have been sexually assaulted may not even realise they were abused, or may blame themselves for their assault (e.g. if they were intoxicated when it occurred). Counselling and other psychological support can also help these individuals better understand their sexual encounters (including what does and does not constitute sexual assault) and sexual rights.

Women with an unwanted pregnancy may also require counselling services, to assist them in deciding whether to terminate or continue with the pregnancy, or to help them cope emotionally with being pregnant. A GP and other health professionals can provide a referral to local services.

More information

For more information on staying healthy in the New Year, including tips on diet, partying, exercise and general health, see Health in the New Year.

References

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