Safer Sex
What do we mean by safer sex?
- Safer sex means having sex in a way that avoids getting or passing on sexually transmissible infections (STI), including HIV
- STIs can be passed on through penis/vagina sex, penis/anus sex, oral sex and in some cases just skin to skin contact
- The surest way to prevent infection is to have no sex at all, but if people choose to be sexually active, then having only safer sex is important
- Condoms used with water based lubricant greatly reduce the chance of a disease being passed from one person to another during intercourse.
However, safer sex means more than just using condoms. Other safer sex practices include:
- Kissing
- Cuddling, stroking
- Rubbing, massage
- Masturbation (touching your own genitals)
- Mutual masturbation (touching each other's genitals)
Many young people believe that they don't need to use condoms with someone they love and trust. The problem with this is that young people's relationships are often short-term, and each new partner soon becomes loved and trusted.
It is important to remember that anyone can get an STI, even from someone they care about and who cares about them, and even if that person looks healthy. Many STIs have no visible symptoms.
Encourage your child to have regular sexual health checks once they become sexually active.