Safer sex is not just about using condoms. It’s about being smart enough to take care of yourself and your partner(s), being healthy and making informed decisions, keeping passion and intimacy in your life, while at the same time, reducing your chance of contracting an STD (sexually transmitted disease), including HIV.

Different sexual behaviors have different levels of risk for different STDs. However, it is absolute that if a sexual activity involves direct contact with blood, semen, or vaginal secretions it is risky. When engaging in risky behaviors condoms or dental dams reduce your risk of coming in direct contact with these fluids. Latex condoms and polyurethane condoms are best. Some STDs can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact, such as genital herpes and genital warts. The above barrier methods may not cover the infected area of the body.

Behaviors and Risk
Abstinence: Abstinence is avoiding contact with body fluids and includes not making contact with infected areas that may transmit STD’s through skin-to-skin contact. It’s 100% safe.

Talking: Talking with your partner about your concerns, sexual needs, expectations, and history will help you to get to know one another better and provide a great chance to negotiate safer sex before the moment arrives.

Fantasy: The brain creates images and finds words to sexually arouse, delight, and satisfy the body. Fantasizing is safe with or without a partner. However, acting out a fantasy may involve risks.

Touching: Creative use of hands and fingers to caress, massage and touch a partner can be both relaxing and exciting in a safe way.

Masturbation: Self-pleasuring and mutual masturbation are safe, and can enhance the passion and intimacy in a relationship.

Kissing: Kissing has a low risk of disease transmission. However, kissing and using the mouth to explore your partner’s body can be risky if contact with body fluids is made or skin-to-skin contact is made with an infected area.

Oral Sex: Body secretions during oral sex when performed on a man or woman make it a risky behavior. The risk of contracting HIV when receiving oral sex is low. However, the risk for contracting other STDs, such as herpes, is not as low when performing or receiving oral stimulation. It is best to use a non-lubricated latex or polyurethane barrier when engaging in oral sex to make it safer.

Vaginal Intercourse: Vaginal intercourse is a high risk behavior, especially for the receptive partner. Condoms, latex or polyurethane, with a water-based lubricant used properly and consistently greatly reduce the risk of disease transmission. If you are concerned the condom may break, withdraw before ejaculation.

Anal Intercourse: Anal intercourse poses the greatest risk of HIV transmission, especially for the recipient. Condoms, latex or polyurethane, with a water-based lubricant used properly and consistently greatly reduce the risk of disease transmission. If you are concerned the condom may break, withdraw before ejaculation.

Lubricants are important for vaginal and anal intercourse because they decrease the risk of the condom breaking. Also, they can enhance pleasure and relieve discomfort. Lubricants come flavored and in various consistencies. Always select a water-based lubricant. Avoid products with non-oxynol 9 because it may cause irritation of the skin and leave an individual more susceptible to contracting an STD.

For STD/HIV testing and counseling contact your health care provider or call Student Health at 515-7107 to make an appointment.

For more information visit:
The American Social Health Association
Planned Parenthood
Go Ask Alice