‘Safe sex’ is having sexual contact while minimising the risk that you will get a sexually transmissible infection (STI). Sexual contact that doesn’t involve the exchange of semen, vaginal fluids or blood between partners is considered to be safe sex. If used correctly, condoms can dramatically reduce the risk of most sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancy.
Safe sex’ is having sexual contact while minimising the risk that you will get a sexually transmissible infection (STI). Sexual contact that doesn’t involve the exchange of semen, vaginal fluids or blood between partners is considered to be safe sex.
Unsafe sex may pass on STIs such as chlamydia, HIV or gonorrhoea, or result in an unintended pregnancy. Safe sex is also called ‘safer sex’ to highlight the fact it is not a 100 per cent guarantee but it significantly reduces the risk of sexually transmissible infections.
ow to stay safe
Having sex with only one partner, when neither of you has any STIs, is the safest way to have sex. If you have more than one partner or have not been tested for STIs, other suggestions include:
- Be infection-free – get tested for STIs and have treatment if necessary. Avoid sexual contact until the doctor or nurse tells you that you are no longer infectious.
- Use male condoms – if used correctly, condoms can dramatically reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy and most STIs.
- Use female barrier methods – these are the female condom, which resembles a regular condom but is inserted into the vagina, and the dental dam, which is a sheet of latex worn over the female genitals during oral sex.
- Use other barrier methods – for example, use condoms on dildos and other penetrative sex toys and wear a latex glove for digital penetration of the vagina or anus.
Condoms are not 100 per cent safe
Condoms, even when used correctly, don’t guarantee 100 per cent protection against STIs or unplanned pregnancy. Issues to consider include:
- Sex with a condom may still spread an infection if the condom does not fully cover the infected area. For example, the genital wart virus may be on the scrotum.
- Some infections, such as pubic lice and scabies, are spread by close contact, regardless of whether or not a condom is used.
- A condom may break, particularly if it has not been stored properly or the right (water based) lubricant has not been used. Do not expose a condom to prolonged heat. Don’t use a condom that is past its use-by date. Don’t try to re-apply a used condom and don’t use oil based lubricants like baby oil and Vaseline.
Safe sexual activities
Sexual contact that carries a low risk of STI transmission includes:
- Kissing
- Cuddling
- Massage
- Masturbation
- Mutual masturbation
- Ejaculating on unbroken skin.
Low-risk sexual activities
Activities that probably won’t involve the exchange of bodily fluids include:
- Open-mouthed kissing – also called deep or French kissing. This type of kissing is fine if neither of you has a mouth sore and no blood is present.
- Sexual intercourse using barrier contraception – such as a condom or female condom. Remember that a diaphragm (a cap worn high in the vagina to cover the cervix) offers good protection against pregnancy but low protection against STIs.
High-risk or unsafe sexual activities
Unsafe sex outside of a monogamous relationship is risky. Examples of unsafe sexual activities include:
- Having sex without a male condom or female condom
- Withdrawing the penis before ejaculation instead of using condoms (pre-ejaculatory fluid may be infectious and can also contain sperm)
- Trying to re-use a condom or using a condom that is past its use-by date
- Using a condom incorrectly or continuing to have sex once the condom is broken
- Doing anything that involves blood-to-blood contact
- Getting bodily fluids like menstrual blood, semen or vaginal fluids inside another person’s body (for example, mouth, vagina or anus).
Things to remember
- ‘Safe sex’ is sexual contact that doesn’t involve the exchange of semen, vaginal fluids or blood between partners.
- If used correctly, condoms can dramatically reduce the risk of most sexually transmissible infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy.
- Having regular STI screening and reducing the number of sexual partners also reduces the transmission risk of STIs.
