Safer Sex

“Safer sex is not just about protection from
unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections
(STIs). It’s also about making sure everyone involved…”.1

Umbrella

What may the Safer Sex Umbrella include?

Depending on the Source (DotS) this umbrella may include:

  • Safe Sex
  • Safer Sex

Definition

What is safer sex?

DotS the definition of safer sex may vary. The (Australian) Jean Hailes for Women’s Health (JH) definition is:

“Safer sex is not just about protection from unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It’s also about making sure everyone involved feels safe and respected”.2

Tell or Not

Can you tell if a sexual partner has an STI?

In Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex the JH explain:

“Practising safer sex helps protect you from STIs. Anyone can get an STI, even people who look strong and healthy. Some people don’t even know they have an STI”.3

Oral Sex

Is oral sex, safer sex?

According to the JH:

“Oral sex doesn’t reduce the risk of getting an STI. Common STIs such as herpes, gonorrhoea and chlamydia can all be transmitted through unprotected oral sex”.4

Period

Is sex during your period, safer sex?

The JH explain:

“It’s important to practise safer sex, even when you have your period. If you have unprotected sex during your period you could pass on serious infections like HIV or hepatitis to your partner. This can happen if your partner has any cuts or scrapes on their skin.

If you know you have an infection, it’s best to use a condom or dam when having sex during your period”.5

Condoms

Is the use of condoms safer sex?

In Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex – Condoms and Other Barrier Methods the JH elaborate on:

“The safest way to have sex is to use condoms (external or internal) or dental dams and water-based lubricant (lube).

It’s important to use a new condom or dam during sex if you change partners or change from vaginal to anal or oral sex. You should also use a new condom if you share sex toys.

Condoms or dams won’t protect against STIs if part of the body with infection is unprotected and there’s skin-to-skin contact. Also, some STIs may still be spread even if a condom is used, such as:

  • Herpes
  • Genital warts
  • Public lice”.6

After A Long-Term Relationship

When starting a new relationship after many years, what may we need to know about safer sex?

In Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Safer Sex After A Long-Term Relationship the JH note:

Safer Sex“If you have been in a long-term relationship and, for different reasons, you’re ready to start having sex with other people, it’s important to have safer sex.

STIs are increasing among older women in Australia at a faster rate than among younger women”.7

Postmenopause

is there an association between postmenopause and safe sex?

In Sexual Health: Practice Safe Sex the (United States) Menopause Society (formerly the North American Menopause Society) explain:

“Sexuality doesn’t—and shouldn’t—end with menopause. Still, even with advancing age, safe sex is critical. After menopause and without the risk of pregnancy, it’s easy to let protected sex slide. But anyone who is not in a long-term, monogamous relationship and has unprotected sex is at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You need to be aware of the many infections you can get and take the necessary precautions. Postmenopausal women are especially vulnerable to STIs because having fragile vulvar tissues can allow these viruses to enter the body more easily”.8

Health Care Provider

What if I would like help with safer sex?

If you would like help with safer sex, it may be in your best interest to choose to talk to your health care provider about this.

Health Topics A-Z

Where may I find Health Topics A-Z related to Safer Sex?

In Health Topics A-Z you may find:

Health Topics A-Z

Links

Where may I find Links related to Safer Sex?

Your Country may have Links similar to:

Links

This Links List to third party websites is neither comprehensive nor exhaustive. Inclusion on this Links List does not imply endorsement or recommendation. Non-inclusion on this Links List does not imply non-endorsement or non-recommendation. Third party websites are not under the control of Meno Martha International Menopause Directory. Third party websites may contain explicit medical images and/or sexual references. Please read Meno Martha International Menopause Directory’s Links Policy before proceeding to a Link. Please contact Webmaster if you experience a problem with a Link.

New or Updated

  1. About Genital HPV Infection
  2. About STI Risk and Oral Sex
  3. About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  4. About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  5. About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): STI or STD?
  6. About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Types
  7. Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information
  8. Caredownthere.com.au [Care Down There, Australia]
  9. Condom Use
  10. Condom Use: How To Use A Dental Dam
  11. Condom Use: How To Use An Internal Condom
  12. Condom Use: Types of Condoms
  13. Condoms
  14. Condoms
  15. Contraception
  16. Contraception [Multiply Languages]
  17. Essential Information: See Your Doctor If…
  18. Getting Tested for STIs
  19. Health Checks for Your Age
  20. How To Use A Condom
  21. How To Use An Internal Condom
    Safer Sex
  22. Internal (Female) Condoms
  23. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases: Patient Handouts
  24. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  25. Menopause Increases Your Risk of STIs Due To How Aging Changes Your Body
  26. Patient Information Leaflets
  27. Q&A: ‘False Sense of Safety’ Contributes To Rise In STDs After Menopause
  28. STI Awareness Week [12-18 April 2026, United States]
  29. STIs A To Z
  30. STIs & How to Prevent Them
  31. Safe Sex
  32. Safer Sex Guidelines
  33. Safer Sex [+ Video]
  34. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  35. Science In 5: Episode #130 – Syphilis : Protect Yourself and Others
  36. Sex Activities and Risk
  37. Sex and Sexual Health
  38. Sex and Sexual Health As You Age
  39. Sexual Health
  40. Sexual Health: Practice Safe Sex
  41. Sexual Healthcare In Your Teens, 20s and Beyond
  42. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Diagnosis & Treatment
  43. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Symptoms & Causes
  44. Sexually Transmitted Infections
  45. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  46. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  47. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  48. World Association for Sexual Health
  49. World Sexual Health Day 2025
  50. Your Safer Sex Toolbox

Sources

Where may I find the Sources quoted?

You may find the Sources quoted at:

Sources

  1. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Safer Sex. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-and-sexual-health/safer-sex-and-sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/ Accessed: 12 April 2026
  2. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Safer Sex. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-and-sexual-health/safer-sex-and-sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/ Accessed: 12 April 2026
  3. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://www.jeanhailes.org.au/health-topics/sex-and-sexual-health/safer-sex-and-sexually-transmitted-infections-stis/ Accessed: 12 April 2026
  4. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 12 April 2026
  5. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex – Sex During Your Period. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 12 April 2026
  6. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex – Condoms and Other Barrier Methods. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 12 April 2026
  7. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Safer Sex After A Long-Term Relationship. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 12 April 2026
  8. Sexual Health: Practice Safe Sex. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/sexual-health Accessed: 12 April 2026
Topic Last Updated: 12 April 2026 – Topic Last Reviewed: 12 April 2026

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