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 Safer Sex Guidelines

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Women's Health Women's Sexual and Reproductive Health Diagnosis and Screening for Gynecologic Conditions Fertility and Reproductive Health

Picture of male, latex condom

What is safe sex?

Having sex with only one partner who only has sex with you when neither of you has a sexually transmitted infection (STI) is believed to be safe. However, many healthcare professionals believe there really is no such thing as safe sex. They believe the only way to be truly safe is not to have sex because all forms of sexual contact carry some risk.

For example, kissing is thought to be a safe activity, but herpes, and other diseases can be spread this way.

Condoms are commonly thought to protect against STIs. However, while it is true that condoms are useful in preventing certain diseases, such as herpes, chlamydia, and gonorrhea, they may not fully protect against other diseases, such as genital warts, syphilis, or HIV.

Picture of a female condom made of polyurethane

Guidelines for safer sex

Limit your sexual activity to only one partner who is having sex only with you to reduce exposure to disease-causing organisms. Follow these guidelines, which may provide for safer sex:

Think twice before beginning sexual relations with a new partner. First, discuss past partners, history of STIs, and drug use.

Use condoms every time you have sex. Choose a male condom made of latex or polyurethane--not natural materials. Only use polyurethane if you are allergic to latex. Female condoms are made of polyurethane.

Although studies say that nonoxynol-9 spermicide kills HIV in lab testing, it has not been determined whether spermicides, used alone or with condoms, provide protection against HIV. There are data that shows nonoynol-9 may increase the risk of HIV transmission, However, the CDC recommends that latex condoms, with or without spermicides, should be used to help prevent sexual transmission of HIV.

For oral sex, help

protect your mouth by