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Safer Sex
Safe Sex
Safer sex can help you reduce your risk for exposure to sexually transmitted infections (STIs). STIs are spread by sexual contact with an infected person. This can occur through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, and genital touching. STIs are also called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. Learn how to have safer sex and when to get tested.
Condom for safe sex
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Condom penis size
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The only way to be absolutely sure of avoiding STDs is to not have any sexual contact. Having safer sex is one of the best ways to protect yourself from STDs. Safer sex uses barriers to reduce the risk of blood or body fluids entering the body. The most common barrier used is the male condom. Barriers should be used during all sexual contact. Barriers include:
Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Cervix and Vagina Infected with Trichomoniasis
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Sexually transmitted infections (STIs) can be passed from one person to another during sex. STIs are also called sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs. STIs are usually spread by having vaginal, oral, or anal sex. Most contraceptive methods, other than condoms, offer no protection against STIs.
Many STIs may have no signs or symptoms, which is quite common. Sometimes, STIs may lead to painful symptoms, vaginal discharge, or even infertility. Vaginal discharge also occurs naturally for most women. Women who are concerned about their vaginal discharge should talk with their health care provider.
Some STIs and related conditions are caused by bacteria or parasites. They can be treated with antibiotics.
Some STIs are viral. Certain viral STIs have vaccines available to prevent infections.
HPV is very common in the United States—at any given time, about 1 in 4 people have it. Most HPV infections go away on their own, but some last longer and can cause cancer or other health problems. HPV vaccines are a safe and effective way to protect against diseases and health problems caused by HPV. Talk to your health care provider about the HPV vaccine.
Apart from the STIs listed above, sexual activity can move bacteria from the bowel or vagina to the urethral opening, causing a urinary tract infection (UTI). A UTI is an infection of any part of the urinary system, including the kidneys, bladder, or urethra. The urinary system is designed to keep out bacteria. However, sometimes bacteria can overcome the body’s natural defenses and can cause infection. Like other bacterial infections, UTIs can be treated using antibiotics.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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Male and Female Figures in an Embrace
Image by TheVisualMD
Each time you have sex use a barrier to prevent the spread of STDs, including HIV. Barriers can be made of plastic or latex and protect against viral STDs. Use barriers for:
Talk to your partner about using barriers:
Condoms kept in a wallet, stored somewhere warm, or that have been washed in the washer should not be used.
Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Sex Education: Can a condom break?
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Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Illustration demonstrating a female condom
Image by BruceBlaus
Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Dental dam usage
Image by US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/Wikimedia
Other barriers listed below can also be used to make oral sex safer. These work by reducing contact between blood or fluids and the mouth. Place over the opening to the vagina or anus before oral sex.
Source: US Department of Veterans Affairs, Veterans Health Administration
Contraception: condoms
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It might be hard to talk to a partner about getting tested for sexually transmitted infections (STIs), also called sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) — but it’s important to have the conversation. Chances are your partner will be glad you brought it up.
You can say:
There are other things you may want to talk to a sex partner about. For example:
You can say:
You can say:
You can say:
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
Drawing of a Female Doctor Talking to a Female Patient
Image by NIDDK Image Library
If you are sexually active, getting tested for STDs is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health. Make sure you have an open and honest conversation about your sexual history and STD testing with your doctor and ask whether you should be tested for STDs. If you are not comfortable talking with your regular health care provider about STDs, there are many clinics that provide confidential and free or low-cost testing.
Below is a brief overview of STD testing recommendations.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Chlamydia Test
Chlamydia trachomatis bacteria in your body, so the disease can be treated promptly. If not treated, chlamydia can cause serious complications, including infertility in women and swelling of the urethra in men.
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HIV Antibody Tests
Also called: HIV-1/HIV-2 Testing
HIV antibody tests look for HIV antibodies in your blood, saliva (spit), or urine (pee). HIV antibodies are disease-fighting proteins that your immune system makes when you have an HIV infection. An antibody test can be used to screen for HIV or to differentiate between HIV-1 or HIV-2 infection.
HIV Self-Test
Also called: HIV Home Test, Home Access HIV-1 Test System, OraQuick® In-Home HIV Test
Home HIV screening kits test either a sample of oral fluid or a sample of blood that you get by pricking your finger. It is used to detect whether or not you have antibodies to HIV (Human Immunodeficiency Virus).
Gonorrhea Testing
Also called: Gonorrhea Test, GC Test
A gonorrhea test looks for the presence of gonorrhea bacteria in your body. Gonorrhea is a sexually transmitted disease that can infect both men and women. Commonly known as “the clap”, it causes infection in the genitals, rectum, and throat.
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Herpes Testing
Also called: Herpes Test, HSV Test, Herpes Culture, Herpes Simplex Viral Culture, HSV-1 Antibodies, HSV-2 Antibodies, HSV DNA
A herpes (HSV) test checks a sample of your blood or fluid from a sore for a herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection. Different types of HSV cause cold sores (HSV-1) and genital herpes (HSV-2).
Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Test
Also called: HPV, HPV DNA, High-risk HPV
An HPV test looks for high-risk HPV (human papillomavirus) infections in women. HPV is the most common sexually transmitted disease. Most infections aren't serious. But some high-risk HPV infections can cause cervical and other types of cancer.
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Syphilis Tests
Also called: Treponema pallidum Ab
Syphilis tests are used to screen for and diagnose syphilis, a bacterial infection spread by sexual contact. Syphilis is easily treatable if found in the early stages of infection.
Trichomoniasis Test
Also called: Trichomonas vaginalis, T.vaginalis, Trich, Trichomonas Testing
Trichomoniasis (trich) is a sexually transmitted disease (STD) caused by a parasite. This test looks for trichomoniasis parasites in your body. Trichomoniasis is rarely serious, but can put you at higher risk for other STDs. The disease can be cured with medicine.
Zika Virus Test
Also called: ZIKV Test
A Zika virus test checks a sample of blood or urine to look for Zika virus. Zika is a virus that is mostly spread by mosquitos. A Zika infection during pregnancy can cause serious birth defects in the unborn baby.
Talk. Test. Treat.
Image by CDC
If you are sexually active, or thinking of becoming sexually active, it is important that you Talk. Test. Treat. to protect your health. These three small actions can have a big impact on your sexual health!
Talk openly and honestly to your partner(s) and your healthcare provider about sexual health and sexually transmitted infections, or STIs.
Talk with your partner(s) BEFORE having sex. Not sure how? We have tips to help you start the conversation. Make sure your discussion covers several important ways to make sex safer:
Talk with your healthcare provider about your sex life as it relates to your health. This helps your healthcare provider understand what STI tests you should be getting and how often.
Here are a few questions you should expect and be prepared to answer honestly:
Not all medical checkups include STI testing, so don’t assume that you’ve been tested unless you discuss it with your provider. If your provider does not discuss sex or STI testing with you, bring it up.
Ask your healthcare provider whether certain vaccines, like the hepatitis B vaccine or the HPV vaccine are right for you.
Get tested. It’s the only way to know for sure if you have an STI.
Many STIs don’t cause any symptoms, so you could have one and not know. If you’re having sex, getting tested is one of the most important things you can do to protect your health.
Learn which tests CDC recommends for you. Even if you’re pregnant, you can still get an STI. If you’re having sex, you’re still at risk.
Find out what STI care options are available near you. In addition to traditional, in-person visits, other options that may be available include:
If you’re not comfortable talking with your regular healthcare provider about STIs, find a clinic near you that provides confidential testing that’s free or low cost.
If you test positive for an STI, work with your healthcare provider to get the correct treatment.
Some STIs can be cured with the right medicine, and all STIs are treatable. Make sure your treatment works by doing these things:
Your healthcare provider can talk with you about which medications are right for you.
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
I am monitoring the National HIV-AIDS Strategy because women R the most impacted but not a priority! We're FACING AIDS to help end stigma. (5037240536)
Image by AIDSgov/Wikimedia
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) damages white blood cells (CD4+ or T cells) that are very important and help the body fight infection and disease. As the disease progresses, people have fewer of these cells in their blood and the immune system becomes weak and damaged. When this happens, HIV can lead to AIDS, or acquired immunodeficiency syndrome.
The most effective methods of protecting yourself against exposure to HIV include sexual abstinence, consistent and correct condom use, abstinence from injection drug use, and use of sterile equipment if using injection drugs.
People who are at high risk of getting HIV but do not have HIV can take pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) daily medicines that can significantly lower the chances of getting HIV. PrEP can help keep the virus from establishing a permanent infection when someone is exposed to HIV. PrEP is less effective if it is not taken consistently but, even if some doses are missed, PrEP will still offer significant protection from contracting HIV. People who use PrEP must commit to taking the drug every day and seeing their healthcare provider for follow-up every three months. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if PrEP is right for you. PrEP should be used with other strategies to protect your health, including condoms.
Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) may be used after being potentially exposed to HIV, to prevent becoming infected. It is only for emergency situations after a single, high-risk event (such as unprotected sex with someone who has HIV or injection drug use). Antiretroviral drugs must be started as soon as possible to be effective-and always within 72 hours of a possible exposure. If you think you have recently been exposed to HIV during sex, through sharing needles or works to prepare drugs, or if you have been sexually assaulted, talk to your healthcare provider or an emergency room doctor about PEP right away.
Source: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services
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