Sexual Health Information

Why Practice Safer Sex?

SAFER SEX protects us from AIDS. HIV can infect anyone, male or female, straight, gay, lesbian or bisexual. You cannot tell who has the virus and who does not. Since you cannot tell, insist on SAFE SEX every time.

SAFER SEX is any sex that doesn’t allow semen, vaginal fluids or blood to get into your partner. HIV can’t get through ordinary, healthy, undamaged skin. The amount of the virus in saliva is too little to cause infection. No-one has been infected through kissing.

SEXUAL INTERCOURSE The main risk of transmitting HIV is through unprotected sexual intercourse. The large amount of HIV in blood and semen can cause infection. During intercourse the virus can get into your body easily through the sensitive linings of the penis, vagina or anus. Even if you pull out before ejaculation, there is still a risk for both partners. So, don’t have sexual intercourse without using a condom. Not even briefly, however tempting it may be.

ORAL SEX There is a slight risk of infection because HIV-infected semen can get into the bloodstream via sensitive linings in the mouth. The risk is higher if your mouth is sore or bleeding. Oral sex without ejaculation in the mouth is safe. You might choose to use condom to avoid getting semen in the mouth.

Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission

In terms of preventing HIV, safe sex is any sexual activity that doesn’t allow infected semen, vaginal fluid or blood to pass from one person into the bloodstream of another person. Condoms also offer some protection against a range of other sexually transmissable infections (STIs). They do this by preventing transfer of infected fluids or by covering infected sites. However, because STIs are transmitted in a variety of ways the protection condoms give is not complete.

STIs have been shown to increase the likelihood of HIV being picked up or passed on

If you’re HIV negative, STIs can cause the skin or membranes in your urethra, rectum and throat to become sore, inflamed or bleed. This makes it easier for HIV to get in, increasing the chance of infection. If you’re HIV positive, STIs can increase the viral load in your blood, anal mucus, pre cum and cum, as well as in sores and lesions, increasing the chances of passing on HIV.

Talking about Safer Sex

It’s important to talk to your sexual partner about SAFER SEX. At first, this may be difficult or embarrassing. Be honest and make sure that your partner is willing to play safe and respect your limits.

Carrying a condom make sense. It’s okay to plan ahead for sex – it means you’re a responsible person.

Knowing which techniques are safe and which are not doesn’t mean you won’t be tempted to do something unsafe. Awkwardness with a condom, being high on alcohol, being in a holiday mood, being sad or in love, can tempt you to do something unsafe.

If you do have UNSAFE sex, ask yourself “Why?” Take steps to prevent it from happening again. Be prepared for such situations.

SAFER SEX protects. Lead a healthy, creative and SAFER SEX life.

Tips on Condom Use

  • Use condoms of good quality
  • Practice putting them on yourself or your partner
  • Use water-based lubricant, such as KY. Avoid oil-based ones like Vaseline or moisturizing cream as the oil damages the condom
  • Put a dab of lubricant into the condom before using for extra sensitivity and easy usage
  • Expel air from the condom by pinching it while unrolling it all the way down the penis. Put lots of water-based lubricant on the outside of the condom
  • After ejaculating, hold onto the condom and pull out gently while the penis is still hard
  • Experiment with the range of available condoms. Find a reliable one that suits you.

How To Use A Condom

Condoms

Condoms are still the safest and easiest way to safeguard your sexual health – find out how we can help make them easier to use.

Step 1

1

As soon as the penis gets hard place a rolled up condom on the tip.
Step 2

2

Squeeze out the air from the end of the condom (to make room for any cum), and unroll the condom to the base of the penis.
Step 3

3

Use plenty of lubricant on theoutside of the condom. After cumming, hold onto the base of the condom firmly (to stop any cum leaking), then pull out. Use each condom only once.

It’s worth mentioning that using a femidom and condom together is not recommended – it’s more likely to cause either or both to split.