It is not
difficult to protect yourself and your partner from HIV/AIDS, hepatitis or
sexually transmissible infections (STI).
Some women find it hard to start a conversation about safe sex. This may be because
this topic is not discussed in their communities, because they are embarrassed
or because they don't feel that they know enough.
However, it
is everybody's responsibility to protect themselves and their partners. You
have a right to ask your partner to practise safe sex.
What is safe sex?
Using condoms
Female condoms
Lubrication
The contraceptive pill
Protecting yourself from infected blood
Get tested
what is safe sex?
Safe sex
means not allowing your partner's body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids)
into your body and vice versa.
Safe
activities can include kissing, touching and cuddling. Using condoms for
vaginal, anal or oral sex will also protect you from becoming infected with HIV
or other STI.
Safe sex is
also having only one sexual partner and staying monogamous. If you or your
partner have had sex with other people, then you should use condoms or get a
sexual health test.
using condoms
A condom is
a plastic barrier that is used to cover the penis during sex, to stop fluids
being passed from one person to another. You can buy condoms from any
supermarket, petrol station or chemist.
Condoms are
one of the best ways to protect yourself and your partner from HIV and other
sexually-transmissible infections.
This is how
a condom should be used on a man:
Open
the condom packet carefully so that you do not tear the condom. Pinch the tip
of the condom and roll it carefully all the way down the shaft of the erect
penis.
- Do
not use the condom if it is torn or damaged. Only use condoms before their
expiry date.
- Make
sure that your partner withdraws his penis while it is hard to prevent the
condom slipping off. He should hold the base of the condom while he withdraws,
to prevent spills.
- Do
not reuse condoms. Dispose of used condoms in a rubbish bin.
female condoms
There are
also condoms available for women. They fit inside the vagina, covering the
walls of the vagina and some of the vulva (the outer part of the vagina).
Putting on the female condom before sex can protect you against infection and
pregnancy. Like condoms for men, female condoms can only be used once. They are
available from some chemists, or you can contact Family Planning Victoria .
lubrication
Women often
naturally produce vaginal fluids when aroused during sexual activity. These
fluids help to prevent tearing on the genitals during sex.
Sometimes a
women may not produce vaginal fluids. This may be because of lack of arousal,
stress or tiredness.
A lubricant
is a water-based gel that you can put on the outside of a condom to make it
slippery. This can make sex feel good for both partners and avoid tearing. You
or your partner can buy lubricants from any supermarket, petrol station or
chemist.
the contraceptive pill
The
contraceptive pill is used to prevent pregnancy. It does not stop HIV or STI
passing from one person to another during sex.
If you are
having sex with a new partner, condoms are the best way to protect yourself
from an unwanted infection.
protecting yourself from infected blood
HIV, hepatitis B and
hepatitis C can also be spread through infected blood. In Australia, this
happens most often among people who share needles when injecting drugs.
If you
inject drugs, do not share your needle with anyone else and use a new needle
every time.
You can
also get infected if you get a tattoo or body piercing at a place where the
equipment is not sterilised.
Do not
share equipment such as toothbrushes or razors with other people, as they can
carry small and invisible amounts of infected blood.
get tested
Tests for
HIV, hepatitis and STI are simple, painless and free. If you get tested and
even if you have an infection, you can access treatment and you can stop
yourself from infecting others.
More
about testing