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STIs are infections that are most commonly transmitted
through unprotected sex with an infected partner. This can be vaginal, anal or oral sex. Some STIs can be passed on from one partner to another through skin-to-skin contact.
How do I know if I'm at risk? |
You could be at risk of having an STI if:
- You have had unsafe sex (sex without a condom / condom has not been used properly/condom fell off)
- You have a new sexual partner or more than one sexual partner
- You have discharge, sores or pain in the genital area
- You have been named as a contact of someone else with an STI
- You cannot remember if you had unsafe sex (eg you were drunk)
- You or your partner have ever injected drugs
- You have had contact with someone else's blood (eg getting a tattoo)
How will I know if I have an STI? |
Most people do not experience any symptoms. However,
if you do have symptoms they may include:
- Unusual discharge from the penis or vagina
- Pain or irritation when passing urine or during sexual intercourse
- Sores, blisters, ulcers, warts, lumps or rashes in the genital or anal area
- Itchiness or irritation in the genital or anal area
- Pain in the lower abdomen
- Some STIs such as HIV and Hepatitis B can initially seem like a "flu-like" illness. Do not wait for these symptoms to go away-the infection could still be in your body and cause health problems in the future.
How can I get my partner to use condoms? |
Explain to your partner that it reduces your chance of infection. If you are not able to persuade him, consider other forms of sex rather than penetration or consider using a female condom yourself.
Sources
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca
http://www.fpv.org.au/2_13_3.html
http://www.share.uwa.edu.au/sexual_health/
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What STIs could I get from unsafe sex? |
Chlamydia, genital warts, herpes and gonorrhoea are
the most common sexually transmitted infections
causing genital symptoms. Hepatitis B, HIV and syphilis
can also be transmitted sexually. In addition, pubic
lice (crabs), scabies, and other less common infections
can be sexually transmitted.
Does the pill protect against STIs? |
No. The birth control pill, like most of the other contraceptive
methods, prevents unplanned pregnancies but does not
protect against STI. A sexually active person should always
use a condom during sexual contact (vaginal intercourse,
oral sex and anal intercourse) to reduce the chances
of getting an STI.
How can I protect myself from STIs? |
The most risky forms of sex are penetrative anal intercourse
and penetrative vaginal intercourse with no condoms. You
can reduce your chance of infection greatly by using a condom.
It is important to make sure the condom is put on before
any penetration takes place, and to make sure the condom
stays on until withdrawal is complete. This means
withdrawing before the erection is lost and holding the condom
in place during withdrawal. Condoms can sometimes break,
so it is important to check the condom is still intact after sex.
Ensuring the condom is not out of date, and using a water
based lubricant (KY jelly, wet stuff, lubrafax) when you feel dry
may help prevent breakages. Oil based lubricants (such
as moisturiser or massage oils) can damage the latex
of condoms and so should be avoided. Other sexual activities
put you at less risk of sexually transmitted infections. These
include mutual masturbation, penetrative sex with
condoms, massage, and oral sex with a condom.
See our Condom page for more info about condom use.
What are the safest forms of sex ? |
Sex doesn't have to involve penetration. If you are sexually active,
you could consider doing other things with your partner, like
kissing, mutual pleasuring, self pleasuring, touching or
hugging, instead of having intercourse.
For oral sexual activities, anal or vaginal intercourse, a condom
should be used to reduce the chance of catching a
sexually transmitted infection.
It is possible to pick up a sexually transmitted infection even if you
do not have intercourse.Some infections such as genital warts,
crabs, and scabies can be passed by skin-to-skin contact during
sex without any penetration taking place
Herpes can be passed on by kissing, oral sex or
intercourse (remember a lot of people who have herpes don't
know they are infected).
There is less risk of infection if both you and your partner
have been tested for sexually transmitted infections and are
free of infection.
There is a risk of infection if:
- you or your partner are having sex with other people
- you are unsure about whether your partner may be having sex with other people
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