10 safer sex messages
It’s not who you are, but what you do that puts you at risk of an STI.
A sexually transmissible infection (STI) can be spread from one person to another during unprotected sex, (vaginal, oral or anal) including the first time you have sex or the 100th.
Condoms are an effective barrier against most STIs. This includes HIV as well. Some STIs, such as herpes, genital warts and pubic lice, may still be spread even if a condom is used. Remember, condoms are useful for preventing pregnancy as well!
An STI (which includes HIV, genital herpes and warts, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas, pubic lice, syphilis and hepatitis B) is an infection that can be spread from one person to another during unprotected sex.
Safer sex is sex where semen, vaginal secretions or blood are not exchanged between partners. The exchange of these body fluids can occur with the following sexual activities: vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex, oral anal contact, fingers or objects in vagina or anus if they have these fluids on them.
Unprotected sex with your regular partner will only be safe as long as both partners are only having sex with each other.
Withdrawal (pulling out before ejaculation) is not safe because sexual fluids can be released before ejaculation (known as pre-ejaculatory fluid).
There are some STIs that are able to be transmitted through unprotected oral sex, including herpes, gonorrhoea and chlamydia.
If either you or your partner has an STI, you need to practise safer sex to minimise the risk of becoming infected. See your health practitioner for further advice.
Anyone can catch an STI, whatever their sexual orientation. Practise safer sex by avoiding contact with your partner’s body fluids to reduce your risk of STIs. Use dental dams if you are having oral sex. Dental dams are small sheets of latex rubber that act as a shield between the vagina and the mouth.
You cannot tell if a sexual partner has an STI. A strong and healthy person may still be infected. Some people may not even know they are infected. You risk getting an STI from any partner who has had, or is having, unsafe sex with another person
