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 can reduce your risk of getting an STI. Anyone can catch an STI. You can’t tell if a sexual partner has an STI. A strong and healthy person may still be infected. Some people may not even know they have an STI”.3

Oral Sex

Is oral sex, safer sex?

According to the JH:

“Note that 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 and your partner has broken skin (an abrasion), infections such as HIV or hepatitis can be transmitted to your partner. 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.

Note, 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 such as herpes, genital warts and pubic lice may still be spread even if a condom is used”.6

Older but New 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 Australian women at a faster rate than among younger women. Between 2014 and 2018, the largest increases in the rates of chlamydia, gonorrhoea and infectious syphilis were in women aged 55 to 74 years”.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. Australian and New Zealand Vulvovaginal Society: Patient Information
  2. Caredownthere.com.au [Care Down There, Australia]
  3. Condom Use
  4. Safe SexCondom Use: How To Use A Dental Dam
  5. Condom Use: How To Use An Internal Condom
  6. Condom Use: Types of Condoms
  7. Condoms
  8. Condoms
  9. Contraception
  10. Essential Information: See Your Doctor If…
  11. Health Checks for Women
  12. How To Tell Someone That You Have an STD or STI
  13. How To Use A Condom
  14. How To Use An Internal Condom
    Safer Sex
  15. Internal (Female) Condoms
  16. International Society for the Study of Vulvovaginal Diseases: Patient Handouts
  17. International Society for the Study of Women’s Sexual Health: Find A Provider
  18. Later Years (Around 50 Years and Over): Menopause and Post Menopause Health – Sexual Wellbeing, Intimacy and Menopause [+ Video: Menopause Is the End of Your Sex Life]
  19. Patient Information Leaflets
  20. STIs A To Z
  21. STI Awareness Week [13-19 April 2025, United States]
    Safer Sex
  22. STIs A To Z
  23. STIs & How to Prevent Them
  24. Safe Sex
  25. Safe Sex Rules Still Apply
  26. Safer Sex Fact SheetSafer Sex
  27. Safer Sex Guidelines
  28. Safer Sex [+ Video]
  29. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  30. Sex and Sexual Health [Topics]
  31. Sex Activities and Risk
  32. Sexual Health
  33. Sexual Health: Practice Safe Sex
  34. Sexual Healthcare In Your Teens, 20s and Beyond
  35. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Diagnosis & Treatment
  36. Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs): Symptoms & Causes
  37. Sexually Transmitted Infections
  38. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  39. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  40. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  41. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): About Genital HPV Infection
  42. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): About STI Risk and Oral Sex
  43. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): About Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  44. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Fact Sheets
  45. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Prevent STIs
  46. Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): STI Symptoms
  47. Sexually Transmitted Infections, All You Need To Know – Podcast
  48. World Association for Sexual Health
  49. WSHD 2024: Positive Relationships [World Sexual Health Day]
    Safer Sex
  50. World Sexual Health Day (WSHD) September 04, 2024]
  51. 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. Last Updated: 28 February 2025 | Last Reviewed: 12 December 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 15 April 2025
  2. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Safer Sex. Last Updated: 28 February 2025 | Last Reviewed: 12 December 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 15 April 2025
  3. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex. Last Updated: 28 February 2025 | Last Reviewed: 12 December 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 15 April 2025
  4. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex. Last Updated: 28 February 2025 | Last Reviewed: 12 December 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 15 April 2025
  5. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex – Sex During Your Period. Last Updated: 28 February 2025| Last Reviewed: 12 December 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 15 April 2025
  6. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): How To Have Safer Sex – Condoms and Other Barrier Methods. Last Updated: 28 February 2025 | Last Reviewed: 12 December 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 15 April 2025
  7. Safer Sex and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs): Safer Sex After A Long-Term Relationship. Last Updated: 28 February 2025 | Last Reviewed: 12 December 2023. Jean Hailes for Women’s Health https://jeanhailes.org.au/health-a-z/sex-sexual-health/safer-sex-stis/ Accessed: 15 April 2025
  8. Sexual Health: Practice Safe Sex. Menopause Society https://menopause.org/patient-education/menopause-topics/sexual-health Accessed: 15 April 2025
Topic Last Updated: 15 April 2025 – Topic Last Reviewed: 15 April 2025

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