What is safer sex? How can I practice safer sex?
Any type of sexual contact or activity involves some risk. These risks could be physical, social, or emotional. Some sexual practices can reduce your risks; these are safer sex practices.
Practicing safer sex can reduce the chance of getting an STI or becoming pregnant.
To make sexual activity as safe as possible, plan ahead by:
- getting and giving consent for every sexual activity
- using external or internal condoms (also known as male or female/vaginal condoms) and dental dams (a thin square of latex used to prevent the spread of STIs during oral sex) correctly to prevent pregnancy, STIs and HIV
- getting tested and treated for STIs and HIV
- talking with your partner(s) about their past sexual relationships and getting tested to be sure.
- reducing the chance of getting an STI by being aware that each new sexual partner can increase the risk of getting an STI.
- taking HIV Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (HIV PrEP) if you are HIV-negative and have a high ongoing risk of getting HIV
To download an information sheet on safer sex click here.
To find out more about STI testing and treatment, and HIV PrEP click here.
Watch the videos below for instructions on how to use external and internal condoms and dental dams correctly.
