December is here with us and priorities are changing from routine work to festivities. With that comes more opportunities to be sexual. The problem is that sometimes sex happens during this period without much planning, and this leads to regrets.
At the sexology clinic, the festive season and a month or so after is a busy time. We expect a myriad of problems resulting from sexual misadventures, some of which will live with you forever. For some reason, people forget condoms after they take one too many for the road. Many people drink more than usual during the festive season and unfortunately, alcohol has a way of convincing its victims that unsafe sex has no consequences, so they indulge to their maximum.
If you find yourself in such a situation and you are not on a regular contraceptive, get the popular E-pill from the nearest clinic or pharmacy to prevent unwanted pregnancy. The pill can be used for up to five days following unsafe sex but it is more effective if used as soon as possible after the sexual encounter. Remember, however, that the pill does not prevent HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases so you are still not off the hook for the consequences of unsafe sex.
There are of course great advances in the prevention of HIV after unplanned risky exposure, popularly known as post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP). The concept was developed to protect health workers who occasionally get exposed to the virus in the course of their work. Non-occupational exposure has also benefited, especially following rape.
Within the medical fraternity, there has been a big debate on whether PEP should be made available after consensual sex. You may frown at why there should be a debate of such nature since this is a life-saving intervention, but the fact is that some people have previously had unprotected sex and rushed to their doctors for PEP when they would have used better and more efficacious methods such as condoms to avoid getting infected. All the same, should you find yourself in a situation of risk do not shy away. Visit your doctor for PEP. A stitch in time saves nine.
When the festive season comes to an end, we expect higher numbers of unwanted pregnancies and requests for abortion more than any other time of the year. You may be aware that more than half a million pregnancies are terminated in Kenya annually.
Lifetime sexual fantasies
Most of these abortions are done by unqualified people in unhygienic conditions. It is estimated that over two thousand Kenyan women die every year from unsafe abortions. Over 20,000 women are also admitted with injuries that range from bleeding, acute infection and infertility after botched abortions.
So, what should you do when unwanted pregnancy happens? Do not rush to the quack, go to a reputable registered health facility. Trained health professionals will provide you with counseling and safe and legal ways of dealing with the pregnancy. A while back health workers would not listen to you when you were in such a situation. This has however changed as a clamor for rights to health including reproductive health becomes a big issue in the medical circles. There is a strong move in the health sector with the aim of having no woman fall victim to unsafe abortion and ending up with injury or death.
On a more positive note, many people use the festive season to enhance family bonding. The year has been hectic with many ups and downs for families. For many couples there was rarely adequate time to bond. In other cases, families are scattered with children in one city, the man in another and the woman elsewhere.
The festive season is a great reunion opportunity and should be used to be bring each member of the family closer, plan for the coming year together, agree on future aspirations and make commitments together. It pays to make resolutions as a family because you become each other’s keeper.
Even more important is the fact that the festive season can positively enhance your intimacy. Stresses of life in the course of the year rob many couples of intimacy. Communication becomes difficult and conflicts easily flare up. Sex loses meaning and becomes a duty rather than a pleasurable show of love to your partner. These difficult times are so bad for relationships that they can lead to death of intimacy, separation and even divorce. Use the opportunity of the festive season to repair the damage of the year.
Reconcile, undertake sensual activities and try out your lifetime sexual fantasies on each other. Start the New Year re-energised and strong with a will to survive it to the end. If need be, use services of a counselor, sex coach or other relationship professionals to help you maximise the benefits that this festive season is bound to offer.
