Condom or latex field and chinstrap ?: What will the "new sexuality" be like?

07/03/2020 - 14:03

• Clarín.com
• Good Life

The use of a condom or latex field to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, Chlamydia) and unwanted pregnancy (if applicable) was, until before the Covid-19 pandemic, the form of " take care of yourself ”when having sex, especially when having encounters with occasional partners. But the coronavirus changed practically every aspect of life, and sex is no exception.

Currently, there are two Argentines. The one that continues with the mandatory preventive isolation (ASPO), with the Metropolitan Area of ​​Buenos Aires (AMBA) at the head, and the one that already entered the "new normal" opened by the lack of confinement, marked by the return of the old social life, which now includes the requirements of physical distance, respiratory and hand hygiene and the use of face masks: a combo that is very close to eroticism .

What will happen then with sex and new relationships? A Sinc agency article reproduced below discusses the issue.

Sexual transmission?

An important question is to find out if the coronavirus can be spread by having sex. In May, a study published on the JAMA Network showed that SARS-CoV-2 had been found in the semen of some patients hospitalized for the disease. Carried out with samples from 38 men, the conclusions of this work were not replicated again.

"Now talking about whether it is transmitted through sexual intercourse without a condom is difficult," Francisca Molero, president of the Spanish Federation of Sexology Societies (FEES), explains to SINC. "At the moment, we know little about the presence of this virus in semen , we only have this article."

"We can assume that it can be spread, although it has not really been proven yet. Of course, it is an issue that is pending and on which there will be many more studies, but you always start by investigating to save lives. And that has not been easy, "he adds.

Sexual transmission of the virus could not yet be demonstrated.

Fear of physical contact

What is clear are the positive effects of social distancing from Covid-19. For the sexologist, physical contact is key when it comes to having an exchange in face-to-face sexual relations. So trying to limit it will bring about changes.

"It will all depend on whether people are still afraid of the disease and how long it takes until the appearance of aeffective treatment or a vaccine. This will mean that more preventive measures will have to be adopted , making it easier for them to become internalized, "emphasizes Molero.

"With sporadic couples or open stable couples, important preventive measures will have to be used: handwashing, condoms, latex sleeves or giving yourself more time to decide whether or not to have a shared sexual relationship ." Of course, it will depend a lot on age groups and personal characteristics: it is not the same to have passed the confinement with your stable partner, in the company of your children or alone.

"Just as there will be people a little 'runaway' who ignore the protection measures, there will be others who are suspicious of having contact, especially with those who do not know," he points out.

“For example, in applications like Tinder - in which it was quite common that there was already a sexual approach on the first or second date - there may be variations. Maybe there will be more space to meet the other person, if there is an affinity or not, and from there determine if you have sex or not, "he says.

What does seem to bring the new normal will be a sexuality with a mask or a mask , at least according to research published in May in the Annals of Internal Medicine . Led by experts from Harvard University (USA), it concludes that to have safe sex, in addition to contraceptive methods, it is convenient to carry this protection in the mouth.

Thus, one of the most limiting factors will be kissing , which is one of the first elements of a shared sexual relationship. According to Molero, "in most cultures, the loving and erotic kiss is the first expression of sexual attraction and excitement, it implies a high degree of intimacy".

Kisses, under the sights.

The importance of caresses

A guide prepared by the New York Medical Service during the pandemic provided a series of recommendations for safe sexual practices. The first of these is that the safest sexual partner is yourself. "Sure, to get a safe pleasure there is nothing better than masturbation . Because you know exactly how to stimulate yourself and there is no risk, "says Molero.

"Then there is the known stable couple. But that does not mean that you cannot have other sporadic couples or relationships. Zero risk does not exist , the responsibility lies in taking all possible preventive measures, ”he continues.

The sexologist specifies that there are postures and practices that, as far as we know now, have less risk of contagion. “But when you have relationships with other people, sometimes the goal is erotic communication, in addition to pleasure. If you have to be controlling what you do and don't do, our cognitive part must be alert, and this part blocks the sexual response ”.

For Molero, physical contact is essential. “When we want someone, our whole tendency is to give them a hug. One of the most serious problems confinement has had has been lack of contact. When a person is scared or worried, our natural instinct is to hold or shake hands. This has been the most difficult thing for everyone. ”

A push to avoid STIs

Shortly before the pandemic broke out, infectious disease specialists warned of the global figures. The 2019 data from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows how more than a million people aged 15 to 49 are infected every day and more than 376 million new cases of chlamydiosis, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis are recorded every year. and syphilis.

Despite the alarming numbers, there was a relaxation with measures to prevent sexually transmitted infections or STIs. "With the coronavirus, these measures are going to be put back on the front line to give it more strength and importance," says Molero. “It seemed that we had lost our fear of STIs or it was something unknown and distant. But now everyone has information about SARS-VOC-2 and knows what to do to protect themselves, "he says.

Molero indicates that, although the case of HIV was totally different, he does remember some things: “What happened with AIDS is that it changed the behavior of a whole group of people dramatically. Among other things, because of the tremendous impact in terms of people who died and the conditions in which they did so. ”

“Although with the coronavirus it will be a function of the time it takes us to have a vaccine or treatment, changes have already taken place, just as it has happened in society. People have had time to reflect, to be at home, and that is very important for self-esteem and relationships with others, "he declares.

Feeling vulnerable and being aware of our fragility has an important effect on our own person, and hence on our relationship with others. “We live in a society so fast that we only had time to consume and act. This has been a standstill, and we have had to accept uncertainty . That has been the great learning ”.

The coronavirus is transmitted by respiratory drops.

More virtual and stable relationships

Perhaps another natural step is the increase in another type of sexual relationship: virtual ones. “It is a tool that has been used a lot, but with the pandemic it has increased indisputably. I don't think it will replace the face-to-face , but while the mistrust lasts, it is something that is going to increase ”.

In the same way, the expert considers that there will be a significant number of people who during this time have given added value to the stable couple. "I may or may not have been with you during confinement, if the relationship worked well before and in these circumstances it has given you support and made you not be so alone, a greater bond may have been created."

“The positive assessment of this support and security can make you bet on an emotional and sexual scale for this stable partner. Even improving sexuality, breaking the monotony and caring for it as a rising value, "he says.

This does not mean that the risk of being left by mobile applications and having sporadic sex is not acceptable again. “This is going to happen yes or yes. The scariest thing is always the unknown. As we have more information, even though we are aware of the danger, the fear is disappearing . ”

Verónica Fuentes / Sinc Agency