Methods of Safer Sex

• Regular STI testing for both yourself and your partner(s)
• Consistent and proper use of contraception and latex or polyurethane barriers (gloves, dams or condoms).
• Abstinence (varying levels of abstinence have different levels of risk)
• Monogamy (works only if both partners are committed to the decision and their behaviour reflects that choice)
• Never sharing needles, razors, tooth brushes, sex toys, condoms and dams
• Avoiding oral sex after dental work, flossing or brushing of teeth (minute tears in the gums may provide a point of entry for bacteria and viruses)
• Using only water-based lubricants with latex barriers (never use oil-based lubricants with latex barriers)

Safer oral sex

Although oral sex is considered a lower risk activity for some STIs, it is not without risk and is considered a higher risk activity for passing along Herpes, Gonorrhea, Syphilis and Hepatitis B.  To protect yourself and your partner, a condom can be used for mouth to penis contact. Dental dams (or a condom made into a dam)  may be used for mouth to anus or vulva contact (dams are a square of latex that can be placed over a partner’s anus or vagina before oral sex).

Use protection if you have intercourse

Male and female condoms prevent unintended pregnancies  and reduce the spread of STIs including HIV. Use them to explore your desires and fantasies. This can be a creative part of your sexual expression. Using condoms is also a great way to show trust, respect and confidence between you and your partner. If pregnancy prevention is important for you, use dual protection: consider using a second form of birth control (e.g. the Pill) with condoms.

Condoms and dental dams

Proper use of latex or polyurethane condoms or dental dams can lower the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections as well as feces born infections such as Hepatitis A and Shigella.

Using condoms/dental dams or asking your partner to can be difficult. Here are some tips:

• Get condoms and dental dams and keep them in an accessible place (condoms and dental dams are often available free-of-charge at sexual health and family planning clinics, AIDS service organizations, or may be purchased at sex shops).
• Check to make sure that the product you are using is not a novelty item and was made to prevent STI transmission and unplanned pregnancy.
• Be sure to check that the dam you are using has no holes after removing it from the packaging.
• Make condom or dental dam use fun and erotic: try coloured, flavoured or ribbed condoms or dental dams and make them part of foreplay.
• Use water-based lubrication (a few drops inside and generous amounts outside will enhance sexual enjoyment). Don’t use oil-based lubricant like massage oil or hand lotion. The oil destroys the latex.

See our tips to make sure you’re using male and female condoms properly.

IMPORTANT: Do not use the same dam for both the anus and vulva. Do not use the same dam for more than one person. This can spread infections.

Making a dental dam

If you cannot find dams in your community or you do not have one with you when you need it, you can make one.

Instructions:

1. Take a condom and unroll it completely. If using a female condom, remove the ring.
2. Cut a straight line from the rim down the length of the condom to the tip.
3. Open it out to form a rectangle and use it when performing oral sex.

Latex gloves or finger cots (also known as ‘finger condoms’) can also be used for manual stimulation, such as fingering (placing a single or multiple fingers into a partner’s vagina or anus) or fisting (placing your fist into a partner’s vagina or anus). Finger cots can be purchased in the first aid section of many pharmacies and latex surgical gloves provide the best protection for fisting. Remember to trim fingernails before fingering or fisting to prevent tearing the latex or injuring your partner. Using a latex barrier is advisable because small cuts or tears on your or your partner’s hands could allow for the transmission of STIs (i.e. a small wound could be re-opened during sexual contact and secrete blood and/or serve as the entry point for an STI). Water-based lubricants can be used to help prevent tearing of the vagina or anus, which is important because a tear in vaginal or anal tissues could also contribute to the transmission of STIs.

*Hepatitis B can be transmitted through contact with an infected person’s saliva, however the risk is low. Oral herpes can be transmitted from direct skin to skin contact with a herpes sore, which could result from kissing.