Safer sex refers to making choices around your sexual activity that prioritize health and well-being. We say “safer sex” instead of “safe sex” because most practices involve some sort of risk (even if it’s very small). Some safer sex practices are using barriers (like condoms) to avoid the transmission of STIs, or birth control to avoid unwanted pregnancies.
Safer sex looks different for different bodies, sexual orientations and gender identities. Understanding what the risks are is important because you are better informed on what to expect. Talking to your sexual partner(s) can also help with communication, build trust and make decisions together.
Not sure where to start? Check these out:
A-Z Topics: Safer Sex
Safer Sex
Talking About Safer Sex
Making Safer Sex Sexy
To learn more about safer sex for trans people, check out: Safer Sex for Trans Bodies
Barriers
When you are thinking about having sex, there are different ways that you can protect yourself from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There’s lots of different ways to do it, but it can involve condoms, dental dams, gloves etc. Unlike pregnancy, no matter your gender identity, body parts or sexual orientation, STIs are always something to think about when engaging in sexual activity, regardless of your gender identity or sexuality.
An internal condom is a thin, non-latex barrier that is placed in the vagina or anus during penetrative sex (like with a penis, fingers, sex toys, etc).
How does the internal condom reduce risks of pregnancy and STIs?
Conception happens when the sperm and egg meet. Internal condoms stop sperm from entering the vagina, and keep the sperm and the egg apart.STIs can be passed through contact between bodily fluids (such as semen, blood, anal fluids or vaginal fluids) of someone who has an STI with their partner’s mucous membranes (tissue inside the penis, vagina, anus or mouth). It's much rarer, but it's also possible to contract STIs by sharing sex toys. Some STIs, like herpes and syphilis, can also be passed through skin touching. The internal condom blocks bodily fluids from touching mucous membranes and also reduces skin-to-skin contact.
How effective are internal condoms?
Internal condoms are 95% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, since they are not always used correctly, they are typically about 80% effective. Condoms are extremely effective at protecting against STIs, but slightly less effective for those that are spread from genital skin-to-skin contact such as HPV or herpes since condoms might not cover the total affected area. Although internal condoms cover more skin than external condoms, you may still be exposed to affected areas during sex.
For more information, check out:
Non-Hormonal Contraception
Condoms
Internal Condoms
Gloves are a great way to protect yourself from STIs when it comes to fingering or fisting a vagina or anus. When used with lube, gloves can prevent small tears that are sometimes caused by nails or rough movements.
Our hands are often covered with bacteria, so wearing gloves can help prevent spreading bacteria to someone’s genitals, which may cause irritations. If you want to try anal sex, and worried about cleanliness, this is a good way to help.
For more information, check out:Gloves
Contraception
An external condom is a thin barrier that is used on a penis or a sex toy during penetrative sex that reduces the risk of pregnancy and sexuall transmitted infections. This is the most popular kind of barriers, so people usually just call them condoms.
How does the external condom reduce risks of pregnancy and STIs?
Conception happens when the sperm and egg meet. External condoms stop sperm from entering the vagina, and keep the sperm and the egg apart.STIs can be passed through contact between bodily fluids (such as semen, blood, anal fluids or vaginal fluids) of someone who has an STI with their partner’s mucous membranes (tissue inside the penis, vagina, anus or mouth). Some STIs like herpes and syphilis can also be passed through contact with infected skin. An external condom blocks bodily fluids from touching mucous membranes and also reduces skin-to-skin contact.
How effective are external condoms?
External condoms are very good at preventing pregnancy. However, since they are not always used correctly, they are usually about 82% effective. Condoms are extremely effective at protecting against STIs, but slightly less effective for those that are spread from genital skin-to-skin contact such as HPV or herpes since condoms might not cover the total affected area. Using a condom correctly will improve the odds of protection. Remember to pinch the tip of the condom as you roll it down, and use a condom-safe lubricant to reduce the odds of it breaking.Condoms should only be used once and should be changed if you are moving from vaginal sex to anal sex or vice versa. This is because there's different kinds of bacteria in the vagina and anus, so it's important that they don't mix.
For more information, check out:
Non-Hormonal Contraception
Condoms
External Condoms
A dental dam is a thin material that acts as a barrier between a person’s mouth/tongue/lips and their partner’s vaginal/internal genitals or anus. It kind of looks like saran wrap, but stretchier.
What does a dental dam do?
Dental dams prevent the transmission of STIs by blocking the exchange of bodily fluids and minimizing skin-to-skin contact. Dental dams may be used for cunnilingus (eating out) or anilingus (rimming).If you are unable to get a dental dam, you can make one out of a condom. Cut the tip and the ring of an unused condom and then cut length-wise – this will create a rectangular material that can be used as a dental dam.
Dental dams are a great way to practise safety while enjoying oral sex.
For more information, check out:Dental Dams
Dental dams and other barriers
Contraception, also known as birth control, refers to the different methods that can be used to prevent pregnancy. There are many different forms of birth control, depending on preferences, accessibility and lifestyle. You can always talk to your doctor and health care provider about your options.
Birth control is worth considering when there’s going to be intercourse (penis-vagina sex). It’s important to note that many birth control methods do not protect you against STIs, except for some (like condoms). Find out more about STI transmission and protection against STIs.
For more information, check out:
Birth Control Basics
Birth Control: Finding the Best Fit
Contraception Methods Booklet
Besider: Birth Control Methods
The birth control pill is an oral pill that tells your body that you're pregnancy when you're not by changing hormone levels. Alot of people just call it "the pill", and it's the most popular form of birth control. It can be used for many different reasons such as to regulate periods, help with acne or menstrual cramps, and prevent pregnancy. Birth control pills usually contain progesterone and estrogen, and need to be prescribed by a doctor or specially-trained nurse. some peoples bodies are ok on birth control, and some are not. This is why they are prescribed so a health provider can help you figure out if this is the right fit for you.
The birth control pill prevents pregnancy by stopping eggs from leaving your ovaries so there is no egg to fertilize, by thickening the fluid on your cervix which makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg, and changing the lining of your uterus so eggs have difficulty implanting.
How effective is the birth control pill?
The birth control pill is 99% effective when it is taken correctly, once a day at the same time. With typical use, it can be closer to 91% effective considering possible inconsistencies when taking the pill.If you are unable to get a dental dam, you can make one out of a condom. Cut the tip and the ring of an unused condom and then cut length-wise – this will create a rectangular material that can be used as a dental dam.
For more information, such as side effects, advantages and disadvantages, check out:Birth Control Pill
Hormonal Contraception: Oral Contraceptive Pill
Evra is a small, thin patch that is placed on your skin and releases the hormones estrogen and progestin into your bloodstream. It prevents pregnancy by stopping eggs from leaving your ovaries so there is no egg to fertilize, by thickening fluid on your cervix which makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg, and by changing the lining of your uterus so eggs have difficulty implanting. The patch stays on for seven days, and then is replaced with a new patch. This happens for three weeks in a row. The fourth week is patch-free and it is when your period will happen. You then repeat this four-week cycle.
How effective is Evra?
Evra is 99 % effective when it is taken correctly. With typical use, it can be closer to 92-97% effective considering it may be used incorrectly. For more information, such as side effects, advantages and disadvantages, check out:Patch
HHormonal Contraception: Contraceptive Patch
An Intrauterine device is a small, T-shaped device that is inserted into the uterus. There are two forms of IUDs, a copper IUD and a hormonal IUD. Both IUDs stop the sperm and egg from meeting and fertilizing. A hormonal IUD thickens fluid on your cervix which makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg. It changes the lining of your uterus so eggs have difficulty implanting. A copper IUD creates an environment within your uterus where it is hard for sperm and egg to meet and survive. IUDS can work for 3-10 years, depending on which type is used. Your doctor or health care practitioner can help you decide which is best for you.
How effective is an IUD?
The copper IUD is 99% effective and the hormonal IUD is 99.8% effective. One of the reasons why IUDs are so effective is because you don’t need to remember to use it, and it doesn’t need any particular skill or knowledge for it to work effectively. This type of birth control is known as LARC—long-acting reversible contraception—and is considered the most effective type of birth control available. For more information, such as side effects, advantages and disadvantages, check out:Hormonal IUD
Copper IUD
Hormonal Contraception: Intrauterine Contraception (IUC)
Non-Hormonal Contraception: Intrauterine Contraception (IUC)
Intrauterine Devices
Depo-Provera (or Depo) is an injectable shot that contains the hormone progestin. It is administered by a health-care professional every 12/13 weeks or 4 times a year. Depo-Provera prevents pregnancy in a few different ways: it stops eggs from leaving your ovaries so there is no egg to fertilize, it thickens fluid on your cervix which makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg, and it changes the lining of your uterus so eggs have difficulty implanting.
How effective is depo-provera?
Depo-Provera is 99.7 % effective when it is taken correctly. With typical use, it can be closer to 91% effective considering it may be used incorrectly. For more information, such as side effects, advantages and disadvantages, check out:Injection (The Shot)
Hormonal Contraception: Injectable Contraception
The NuvaRing is a small, flexible plastic ring that's inserted into a vagina where it releases the hormones estrogen and progestin. You put the ring in and out of your vagina by yourself. It prevents pregnancy by stopping eggs from leaving your ovaries so there is no egg to fertilize, by thickening fluid on your cervix which makes it harder for sperm to reach the egg, and by changing the lining of your uterus so eggs have difficulty implanting. You leave the ring inside your vagina for three weeks. For the fourth week, you take it out and your period will happen. You put a new ring in for each four-week cycle.
How effective is the NuvaRing?
The NuvaRing is 99 % effective when it is taken correctly. With typical use, it can be closer to 92-97% effective considering it may be used incorrectly. For more information, such as side effects, advantages and disadvantages, check out:The Ring
Hormonal Contraception: Vaginal Ring
Emergency contraception is a way to prevent pregnancy after having unprotected vaginal intercourse. You might be considering emergency contraception if you had vaginal intercourse without any form of birth control or condom, the condom broke, slipped or leaked, you used birth control inconsistently or incorrectly, or you were sexually assaulted and want to prevent a possible pregnancy. Emergency contraception is recommended for occasional use only; it is not effective as a regular form of birth control.
There are two forms of emergency contraception: emergency contraceptive pills (some people call it the “morning after pill”) and a copper IUD.
The morning after pill works by delaying ovulation so there will be no egg to fertilize when sperm enters the fallopian tubes through the uterus. There are two forms of morning after pills: a pill that contains the hormone progestin (called Plan B, Next Choice, etc.), or another known as Ella which uses ulipristol acetate—a progesterone blocker. Plan B is available at pharmacies, but you need a prescription from a clinician to get Ella.
A copper IUD can be inserted within 7 days of unprotected intercourse to prevent pregnancy. It works by creating an environment within your uterus where it is hard for sperm and egg to meet and survive. A copper IUD might be the right choice for you if you had unprotected sex more than three days ago, or if you are looking for more long-term birth control. But sometimes it can be hard to find a clinician who can insert the IUD within 7 days. See resources below to know more about which one is a better option for you.
How effective is emergency contraception?
The sooner you take emergency contraceptive pills, the more effective it is. If you take Plan B within 24 hours of unprotected vaginal sex, it is 95% effective at preventing pregnancy (compared to 77% for the 8-pill version). You can take it up to 5 days after unprotected vaginal sex but the effectiveness will decrease each day.A copper IUD can be used up to 7 days after having unprotected vaginal sex. The copper IUD is 99% effective as emergency contraception.
For more information, such as side effects, advantages and disadvantages, check out:Emergency Contraception
Emergency Contraceptive Pills