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Why safe sex is important?
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Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) are infectious conditions transmitted through sexual activity - vaginal, oral or anal. Some of the STDs can be easily treated but unfortunately there is no cure for many of them, and these incurable STDs tend to be the most common and longest lasting. Some, for example HIV and hepatitis B, can have serious health consequences.
A person can have any of the STDs without any symptoms. They may therefore be unaware that they have an infection and may be passing it on each time they have sex.
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Reducing the risk
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The only way to be 100% certain of never getting an STD is never to have sex at all. This means that if you do have sex, you need to consider ways that you can reduce your risk of acquiring an infection (or passing on an STD you may not know you have!) There are various strategies you can use. Some relate to whom you have sex with, others relate to what you do while you are having sex.
You can make sure that sex is safe by both having an STD check up. If all the results are negative (both yours and your partner's) it may be OK to have unprotected sex. You should discuss this with a doctor or health adviser because sometimes extra tests are required.
Unless you are certain that you and your partner do not have any STDs (i.e. by having a full STD check-up) use safe sex practices when you have sex.
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Safe sex practices
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Safe sex means not allowing your partner's body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids) into your body and vice versa. It can also mean covering up or avoiding contact with parts of the body that might be infectious. With some forms of sex, it's possible to avoid any transfer of body fluids, e.g. massage and mutual masturbation ("hand jobs"). Oral sex carries a lower risk of transmitting most (not all) of the STDs. If you have oral sex, you can reduce the risk of infection by following these guidelines:
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using condoms
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not getting semen or blood in your mouth
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avoiding oral sex if you have mouth ulcers or bleeding gums; not brushing your teeth immediately before oral sex
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if you get cold sores, don't give your partner oral sex when you have an outbreak. (Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus.)
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Using Condoms
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Use a good quality condom that conforms to Australian and International Standards. Check the use by date on the packet. Open the packet carefully; don't snag the condom with rings or fingernails. Check which way the condom unrolls.
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It is very important to use the condom for the entire time you are having intercourse. Put the condom on before the penis comes into contact with the vagina or anus and only when the penis is hard and erect. Don't unroll the condom before putting it on.
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Squeeze the teat on the end of the condom between two fingers (this is to expel the air so there is room for the semen) and hold it against the tip of the penis.
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Gently unroll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis. If you don't get it on the first time, throw the condom away and start again.
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Use a water soluble lubricant. This is essential for anal intercourse. Rub it on the outside of the condom. The lubricant makes intercourse more comfortable and helps prevent breakage of the condom. Use only water based lubricants such as Wet Stuff, KY, Lubafax, Le Gel, Glyde or Muko.
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The penis should be withdrawn immediately after ejaculation with you or your partner holding the rim of the condom to stop any spillage. Slip the condom off carefully.
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You can only use a condom once. If you want to have sex again, put on a new condom. Don't flush used condoms down the toilet. Wrap them in paper and put them in a bin.
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Looking After Condoms |
Condoms that break put you at risk. They may be damaged by:
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Heat: Condoms must be kept in a cool, dry place.
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Oil: Oil-based lubricants cause condoms to perish. Never use baby oil, vaseline, petroleum jelly.
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Teeth: During oral sex teeth may cause the condom to break. Do not use your teeth to open the condom package.
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Friction: Always use a water-based lubricant to prevent condoms breaking.
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Expiry date: Always check to make sure the use by date has not expired.
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