Condom use
You can lower the risk of most STIs:
- Use a condom when having vaginal sex or anal sex.
- Use a condom when you share sex toys (for example: dildo or vibrator) with others.
- Change condoms between each partner if you have sex with several at the same time.
- Avoid getting blood and semen in your mouth during oral sex; then the risk of getting HIV becomes very low. Using a condom when having oral sex can lower the risk of getting other STIs.
Use a condom to protect yourself and your partner against STIs and hiv. If you and your partner do not want to use a condom, talk to a health professional about getting tested for STIs or HIV before practicing condomless sex.
Condom
Other ways of protection
- Get vaccinated against hepatitis B and HPV. Ask a doctor or other health professional.
- Only use your own injection material or new material if you inject drugs.
- If you are pregnant and have an STI, ask a doctor for advice.
- Use your own toothbrush (hepatitis B), towels and bed linen (scabies and pubic lice).
Get vaccinated against hepatitis B and HPV.
Only use your own injection material, or new material.
If you are pregnant and have an STI, ask a doctor for advice.
Talking to your partner and a health professional
If you have an STI you can infect someone else. Talk to your partner about it and encourage him/her to get tested.
Talk to a health professional for advice.
Couple talking
