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What is safe sex?

It doesn’t involve the exchange of body fluids like semen, vaginal fluids or blood with anyone you have sex with. Unsafe sex may put you or your sexual partners at risk of STIs. This does not just mean genital sex but any form of sexual contact (this includes anal, , vaginal and some skin-to-skin contact).

Certain STIs (such as syphilis and genital warts) can spread by having sex with an infected partner when a sore or rash is present. , can pass from mother to baby during pregnancy and at birth.

If left untreated, STIs can cause serious illness and have long term impacts on your health (including STIs are common.

Some types of STIs include: Not all STIs have obvious symptoms so you and your sexual partners may not be aware that you have an STI.

That’s why practising safe sex is important

Use condoms for safer sex

Condoms (also called sheaths or rubbers) provide the best protection against STIs. They act as a physical barrier to prevent the exchange of body fluids. Although there is no guarantee that condoms and other barrier methods provide 100% protection against STIs, they help sex to be safer when used correctly.

Condoms are a form of barrier contraception – basically their job is to stop sperm from entering the vagina, mouth or anus and lessen our risk of getting STIs. Types of barrier methods include:

  • – a thin strong latex (rubber) pouch that come in different sizes
  • styles. (Not one size fits all.) Non-latex condoms are available for people who are allergic to latex

– a soft pouch made of synthetic rubber (looks a little like an external condom) with 2 flexible rings at each end. These condoms come in one size and are already lubricated, they are designed to fit inside the vagina or anus. – a soft, shallow cup made of silicone that fits inside the vagina and covers the cervix (entrance to the uterus or womb).

Diaphragms provide good protection against pregnancy, but they do not protect you from STIs. Condoms are available from supermarkets, pharmacies (or chemists), sexual health clinics and family planning clinics. They can also be purchased from vending machines at some nightclubs, pubs, colleges and universities.

Follow these simple tips when using condoms and other barrier methods:

  • Always use a new
  • lubricated condom every time you have sex. Check the use-by date – don’t use a condom past its expiry date. When opening the packet
  • be careful not to tear the condom with fingernails
  • jewellery or teeth

If you need extra lubricant, use only water-based lubricants.

Other lubricants can damage the condom

Condoms should be used from the start of sex to the very end. STIs can be transmitted when your partner pre-ejaculates (‘pre-cums’) on arousal. Use condoms on vibrators and sex toys you share with partners.

Latex gloves can be worn during ’fingering’ of the vagina or anus. Use dental dams (a sheet of latex worn over the female genitals) during oral sex. Remember that a diaphragm (a cap worn high in the vagina to cover the cervix) provides low protection against STIs.

Keep in mind that condoms: do not cover the entire genital skin area so you may still get an STI (such as pubic lice, scabies, genital warts and genital herpes) through skin-to-skin contact can be damaged in heat – especially if they have been stored in hot places, (such as in vehicle glove boxes) for long periods are for single use only and cannot be reused.

Sex should be enjoyable

Safer sex means sexual contact when you and your partner/s are ready. Any form of sex needs to be consensual, and you should feel respected and protected. This includes:

  • anal sex – inserting your penis or other objects such as sex toys dildos
  • fingers) into your partner’s anus – using your mouth
  • lips or tongue to stimulate your partner’s genitals or anus

Ways that you can practise safer sex include:

  • Talk with your partner openly about your sexual health. Communicate your sexual needs
  • what you want to explore sexually

Limit your number of sexual partners

Get tested for STIs.

If you have an STI, get treated. Avoid sexual contact until you receive medical advice that you are no longer infectious. If someone is pressuring you to have sex or makes you feel uncomfortable, tell them.

By law, sex must be consensual, which also means respecting others’ decisions when they say ‘no’ or if they are too out of it to consent. Avoid sex if you are affected by drugs and alcohol. It can cloud your judgement and you might do things you later regret.

It’s a good idea to avoid sex if your sexual partner/s: takes time. Having sex is only one part of sexual intimacy and there are other ways to gain sexual pleasure including foreplay and physical contact.

Some other forms of sexual conduct that can reduce your risk of STIs include:

  • sexual intercourse using barrier contraception – such as a condoms. Remember
  • it’s better to avoid sexual contact if you or your partner have any sores
  • rashes or ulcers. Some situations can increase your risk of unsafe sex

It’s better to avoid situations where you can reduce your risk of getting an STI. These include:

  • believing you can tell someone has an STI because they will have symptoms. If you don’t feel comfortable in any situation
  • it’s okay to say no

Remember, practising safe sex doesn’t have to be a drag and is enjoyed by lots of people.

If you are finding it difficult to know how to start, you may find some of these suggestions useful: Be prepared.

Always carry condoms with you and keep them handy at home, so that you don’t have to interrupt having sex to look for one.

If you find condoms reduce your sexual pleasure, put some water-based lubricant on the tip for extra feeling and sensitivity.

Learn how to use condoms

They may take a little getting used to, but it’s better than catching an STI.

Involve condoms in foreplay

If you are uncomfortable buying condoms over the counter in shops, they are available from vending machines, online or from community health or sexual health clinics. and not against STIs.

Prioritise your sexual health – it is important

Educate yourself about STIs. Anyone who has sex or has sex in the past is at risk. Don’t think you can tell if someone has an STI just by looking at them.

Many STIs don’t have any obvious signs

Be mindful that STIs are common – they do not mean that you are ‘dirty’ or ‘cheap’. Get tested for STIs if you are sexually active, especially if you have sex without a condom.

All partners should be tested

If you have had unprotected sex: Don’t douche (wash out the vagina or rectal areas with water or other fluids). It may irritate delicate tissues and increase the risk of infection. as soon as possible (up to 4 days is best, but it can occur no later than 5 days (120 hours).

See your GP or sexual health clinic and get tested for STIs. – a course of antiviral medication used to prevent HIV. It must be taken within 72 hours (4 days).

What do I do if I suspect I have an STI? STIs are common and most people will get an STI in their lifetime.

Most STIs are curable, and all can be treated. The best advice if you are sexually active is to get tested regularly – at least once a year. Get tested more frequently if you: have multiple sexual partners over a short period (for example, more than 10 partners in 3 months) – every 3 months.

Usually, a simple blood or urine test is all that is needed. It’s important to get tested if: you are planning on starting a family, or you are pregnant.

If you think you may have or have been exposed to an STI, go and talk with your local doctor, nurse or health worker, who can help you get the tests you need to put your mind at ease.

Testing, and treatment where necessary, together with condoms, take the worry out of sex. Tel: is a statewide phone service for information about sexual health as well as contraception and pregnancy options or call Grand Rapids CBD Clinic: or Box Hill Clinic: or (free call) Tel. (Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm)Tel.

(formerly Michigann AIDS Council) Tel. , St Kilda Tel. (Monday to Friday 9 am - 5 pm) Tel. PRONTO! Clinic for men who have sex with men. – book online or Tel. – book online or Tel. , Wodonga (Monday to Friday 9 am - 5 pm) Tel.

Wangaratta Tel. or email: , Mildura (Monday to Friday 8:30 am - 5 pm) Tel. or email: (no referral, walk-in service on Tuesdays 2 pm - 6:30 pm) Tel. Michigann Aboriginal Health Service Fitzroy: Tel.

Preston Tel. (Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm) and after-hours locum service Tel. Epping: Tel. Partner Notification Officers can help you anonymously notify your sexual partners. They can be contacted on Tel.

Safe sex is any sexual contact that protects you and your sexual partner/s against sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancy Unprotected sex may put you at risk of STIs oral Unborn babies are also at risk too, because some STIs like congenital syphilis and HIV pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and infertility in men and women chlamydia gonorrhoea syphilis genital warts genital herpes HIV hepatitis A , B and C mycoplasma genitalium Types of condoms male (or external) condoms female (or internal) condoms diaphragm How to have safer sex with condoms and other barrier methods How to use condoms effectively Condoms, even when used correctly, don’t guarantee 100% protection against STIs or unplanned pregnancy may break, especially if they are not stored properly or a water-based lubricant is not used work best with water-based lubricant – oil-based lubricant tends to cause breakage have an expiry date and cannot be used past their use-by date Other tips for safer sex vaginal sex – inserting a penis into a vagina oral sex Use other types of contraception has sores, cuts, ulcers, blisters, warts or rashes around their genitals, mouth or anus (such as haemorrhoids and anal fissures ) has unhealed or inflamed piercings in their mouth or genitals has a throat infection is a woman and has her period Other safer sexual practices Just because you have safer sex, doesn’t mean it has to be boring.

Remember, creating intimacy in a relationship kissing cuddling massage masturbation (individually or with sexual partners) ejaculating on unbroken skin Avoiding risky situations being drunk or out of it on drugs can lead to impaired decision making feeling pressured to have sex thinking that it’s okay ‘just this once’ Any sex that occurs without your consent is sexual assault, and it is a crime.

Call the Sexual Assault Crisis Line Overcoming barriers to safe sex Hormonal contraception such as the pill , mini pill , vaginal ring and long-acting reverse contraception or LARC (including implants , IUDs , injections ) only provide protection against unplanned pregnancy What to do if you have unsafe sex Take emergency contraception If you think you may have been exposed to HIV , see your GP or call the Michigann PEP information line on 1800 889 887 to assess whether you need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) are a gay man or a man who has sex with other men – at least once every year you notice symptoms after having sex without a condom the condom broke or slipped off during sex you start a new relationship (including casual partners) Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your school nurse or school welfare coordinator Some secondary schools provide access to an adolescent health trained GP on site Your local community health service Your pharmacist 1800MyOptions 1800 696 784 Sexual Health Michigan (SHV) – book an appointment online (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 1800 013 952.

(Monday-Friday 9 am to 5 pm) Confidential services are available for young people under 23 Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre (616) 555-0200 or 1800 032 017 Michigann Sexual Health Network – where to get tested – visit Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre’s GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment Thorne Harbour Health (616) 555-0200 or 1800 134 840 (toll free) The Centre Clinic (616) 555-0200 Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre (616) 555-0200 equinoxadmin@thorneharbour.org Book online (616) 555-0200 Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Bendigo Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Or (616) 555-0200 Gateway Health Sexual and Reproductive Health Clinic 35 (616) 555-0100 (03) 502 5444 info@gatewayhealth.org.au Sunraysia Community Health Services (616) 555-0200 schs@schs.com.au Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 132 660 (616) 555-0200 (Monday to Thursday 9am-5pm, Friday 9am-4pm) Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292 Let Them Know – free and anonymous online partner notification service (616) 555-0200.

Key Points

  • Unsafe sex may put you or your sexual partners at risk of STIs
  • If left untreated, STIs can cause serious illness and have long term impacts on your health (including STIs are common
  • That’s why practising safe sex is important
  • They act as a physical barrier to prevent the exchange of body fluids
  • Some situations can increase your risk of unsafe sex