What is safe sex?

Safe sex is when you and your sexual partner have sexual contact while protecting yourselves against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unplanned pregnancies.

Safe sex helps lower your chance of catching an STI by limiting direct contact with your sexual partner's body and body fluids. Body fluids such as blood, semen or vaginal secretions can carry infections.

Consent

Safe sex also means making sure that sexual activity always takes place with both partners' consent. You should both feel respected and not pressured.

Sexual assault includes any unwanted behaviour that makes you feel:

• uncomfortable
• frightened
• threatened

Before you have sex, it's important to feel comfortable talking to your sexual partner about sex. You can make decisions together about safe sex and using condoms. You have the right to say no to sex if your sexual partner refuses to use condoms.

Withdrawing the penis before ejaculation (also known as the withdrawal method or 'pulling out') does not protect against STIs. This is because fluids can be released before ejaculation.

What is an STI?

An STI is an infection that spreads from one person to another during sexual contact. STIs can be caused by bacteria, viruses and parasites:

Examples of bacterial and parasitic STIs include:

• chlamydia
• gonorrhoea
• syphilis
• Mycoplasma genitalium
• trichomoniasis ('trich')
• pubic lice ('crabs')
• scabies

Examples of viral STIs include:

• genital warts
• human papillomavirus (HPV)
• genital herpes
• hepatitis B
• human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)

How are STIs spread?

STIs can spread when body fluids are shared between people. This can happen during oral, anal and vaginal sex or through skin-to-skin contact.

STIs can be spread through:

• semen
• vaginal fluids
• anal fluids
• blood
• saliva

What can I do to stay safe?

Here are some ways to practice safe sex:

• Use a barrier, such as a condom or dental dam.
• Talk openly with your sexual partner about STIs and staying safe.
• Get checked for STIs regularly if you are sexually active and when you have a new sexual partner.
• Avoid sex if your sexual partner has visible STI symptoms, such as genital warts, rashes or itching around the mouth, genitals or anus.
• Wash sex toys every time you use them.

Read more about contraception options.

Condoms

Condoms act as barriers against body fluids that can spread STIs and help protect you and your partner.

Condoms are the only contraceptive method that protects against both STIs and unplanned pregnancies. If you use another form of contraception, using condoms as well can help protect you from STIs.

Condoms do not protect against STIs if the affected part of the body is uncovered and there is skin-to-skin contact.

Never reuse a condom.

Dental dams

A dental dam is a thin latex square placed over the vaginal or anal area during oral sex. This helps lower your chance of STIs.

Dental dams do not protect you against STIs if the affected area is not covered by the dam and there is skin-to-skin contact.

Never reuse a dental dam.

Some STIs, such as genital warts, herpes and pubic lice, can spread even if you are using a condom or dental dam. This is because they are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact.

How do I know if my sexual partner has an STI?

You may not be able to tell if your partner has an STI, because some STIs do not cause symptoms. A reliable way to know is to get an STI test.

How do I discuss STIs with my sexual partner?

It is important to talk openly about STIs before you have sex. You can agree together to use condoms.

If you notice a sore, ulcer or lump on your partner's genitals, anus or mouth, suggest they see their doctor, a family planning clinic or a sexual health clinic.

If you plan to have unprotected sex, talk openly about the risks.

You have a right to know if a sexual partner has an STI, and they have the same right to know about you.

When should I see my doctor?

See your doctor, a family planning clinic or a sexual health clinic if you:

• have symptoms of an STI
• are worried you may have an STI
• have had sexual contact with someone who may have an STI
• have experienced sexual violence or assault

Avoid sexual contact until you have seen your doctor.

Your doctor may:

• ask you about your sexual history
• examine areas such as your genitals, anus and mouth
• suggest screening for STIs using a urine sample or genital swab

Try to be open with your doctor. All information you share with your doctor is confidential.

Regular sexual health check-ups

Anyone who is sexually active should have regular sexual health check-ups. Ask your doctor how often you should be tested.

If you have been diagnosed with an STI, there are important steps you can take:

• Follow and complete your treatment, even if symptoms improve. Many STIs can be treated with antibiotics. Others, such as herpes and HIV, cannot be cured but can be managed with treatment.
• Tell any recent sexual partners so they can be tested and treated. If this feels difficult, you can notify your sexual partners anonymously using services such as Let Them Know.
• Talk to your doctor about when it is safe to have sexual contact again, and how to protect yourself and others.

What should I do if I've had unprotected sex?

If you are worried about STIs, see your doctor or sexual health clinic.

If you have been sexually assaulted, do not have a bath, shower or wash yourself. Read more about sexual abuse and assault and how to get help.

If you have had unprotected sex, there are steps you can take to protect your health.

Prevent a urinary tract infection (UTI)

After sex, urinate (wee) to help flush away bacteria that may have entered your urethra during sex. This may lower your chance of a urinary tract infection (UTI). Avoid douching.

Emergency contraception

If you are female and you want to prevent an unplanned pregnancy, take emergency contraception as soon as possible.

Options include the emergency contraception pill (morning after pill) and a copper intrauterine device (IUD). You do not need a prescription for the morning after pill.

Some emergency pills can be taken up to 5 days after unprotected sex. A copper IUD placed within 5 days can also lower your chance of an unplanned pregnancy. Ask your doctor or sexual health clinic for advice.

If emergency contraception is no longer an option, you may choose to take a pregnancy test when your next period is due. If you are pregnant, you can talk with your doctor or sexual health clinic about your options and available support.

Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP)

PEP is a medicine taken as a pill. It reduces your chance of getting HIV after possible exposure.

You need to start PEP within 72 hours of unprotected sex. Once started, it must be taken every day for 28 days.

PEP is available from most hospital emergency departments and sexual health clinics.

Resources and support

• Let Them Know helps you send free, anonymous text messages or emails to sexual partners to support contact tracing.
• Sexual and Reproductive Health Australia has a list of sexual and reproductive health care services available in your state or territory.
• Safe Sex offers information on a range of safe sex topics, such as consent, condoms and contraception.

If you have been sexually assaulted:

• Contact 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 for confidential information, counselling and support.
• Healthdirect also has information on several state and national helplines that you can call.
• See your doctor or sexual health clinic for help with STI testing, emergency contraception and counselling.

You can also call the healthdirect helpline on 1800 022 222 (known as NURSE-ON-CALL in Victoria). A registered nurse is available to speak with you 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Do you prefer to read in languages other than English?

• Sexual Health Victoria has translated fact sheets on a range of sexual health topics, including safe sex, in languages such as Chinese and Vietnamese.
• The Tasmanian Government has family and sexual violence resources available in a range of community languages.

Information for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples

• The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has a range of information and resources about safe sex and STIs for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
• Better to Know offers fact sheets, videos, clinic directories and a tool to notify partners about STI exposure, designed for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Information for sexually and gender-diverse families

• Health Equity Matters has information about HIV and AIDS for people living with HIV and LGBTIQA+ communities.
• QLife offers free peer support and referral for sexually and gender-diverse people, where you can talk about sexuality, gender, bodies, feelings and relationships.
• ACON has information on preventing STIs and support for sexually and gender-diverse people.
• Transhub has information about HIV, including prevention and testing, for trans and gender-diverse people.