From our blog! 

Let’s say Thursday night rolls around, and the weekend is on your mind. You just watched the Fifty Shades of Grey trailer and start brainstorming who could make this weekend a little more interesting… Maybe you text an old flame, message a Coffee Meets Bagel date, or call your best friend and pull the “We’re going out this weekend” card. One thing leads to another, you find your target, and flirt your way toward a one-night stand. Here are Glow’s pointers for getting lucky, safely. Because consent is sexy, and safe sex is hot.

1. Drink Responsibly or not at all

A one-night stand (ONS) can be super fun, but we want to make sure that you have the power and you make the decisions (consensual kinky preferences notwithstanding). Alcohol can have a few important effects on your ONS. It can act as a social lubricant—meaning, it may make you feel more relaxed and reduce any sexual anxieties. This makes drinking a tempting option, but keep in mind that alcohol also inhibits parts of the Central Nervous System that are responsible for arousal and orgasm. It can also cause vaginal dryness (not ideal) and even delay or prevent orgasm. Alcohol also impairs one’s ability to make decisions, so even if you decided this morning that you wanted to have sex, make sure you feel the same in the moment. Don’t drink at all or have just 1-2 drinks so you can enjoy sex without the physiological and psychological impacts of alcohol. In other words, don’t let tequila get in your way of saying yes or having a good time tonight.

2. Use a condom

We’ve all taken high school health class and know the drill. As things heat up in bed, it’s sometimes easy to forget the risks of sex—namely pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). If pregnancy is not your goal, you can be 98% sure it won’t happen if you use a condom correctly. If you take birth control pills (and do so on time, consistently) or if you have an IUD, hormonal implant, or vaginal ring, then a condom is not necessary for you as birth control. But remember that these methods don’t protect against STIs, so condoms are still a smart protective measure to protect contraction of infections including HIV, HPV, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and genital warts.

3. Ok so you didn’t use a condom (or it broke)

Don’t panic. You can still prevent fertilization with Plan B, or the “Morning After Pill.” As emergency contraception, this pill prevents ovulation (when your egg leaves the ovary and travels up the fallopian tube where it can be fertilized by sperm). You can take it up to 5 days after sex, but it is more effective the earlier you take it. The pill is available over the counter to anyone over the age of 15, and costs around $50 at CVS. Myth buster: the pill does not promote infertility nor is it a method of abortion. It is not to be used as regular birth control, but should be taken if you didn’t use a condom or if your hot date isn’t sure if the condom broke.

4. Remember emotional differences

You and your buddy may not experience the same emotional reaction to your ONS. Humans vary greatly in emotional response, and many studies have shown that gender differences can play a role too. One survey study with over 3,300 participants revealed that 80% of men had positive feelings after a one-night stand compared to 54% of women. Furthermore, women release oxytocin during sex, a hormone that promotes feelings of bonding and trust, at higher levels than males do. You are certainly capable of leaving an ONS feeling great and/or unattached, just keep attachment differences in mind going into it, for your emotional safety.

5. You do you

Have an exciting night, on your terms. If you want a wingwoman, bring one. If it makes you feel better to bring your interest back to your place, do it. If you find yourself in a Laura Linney in Love Actually situation, go have a secret silent freak out when you realize you’re about to hook up with your version of Karl. Then recall Glow’s advice, and get to it!