Sexo y salud sexual

Safer sex

Revisado: 4 de octubre de 2026

Solo en inglés por ahora

Safer sex means lowering the chance of STIs and of pregnancy you do not want. Condoms, regular testing, vaccines and honest talk with partners all help.

What safer sex means

Safer sex means taking steps to protect yourself and your partners from sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and from pregnancy if you do not want one. No single step removes every risk, but using a few together lowers it a lot. What suits you will depend on you, your partners and the kinds of sex you have.

Lower and higher risk sex

Some kinds of sex carry very little risk. These include masturbation, rubbing against each other with clothes on, and touching a partner's genitals with your hands. This is low risk as long as their body fluids do not get into your mouth or genitals. Kissing, oral sex and sharing sex toys carry some risk. Vaginal or anal sex without a condom carries the most risk.

Condoms and other barriers

Used correctly every time, condoms are one of the most effective ways to protect against STIs, including HIV. They are also the only type of contraception that protects against both pregnancy and STIs. You can use condoms, internal condoms, dental dams or gloves for oral, anal and vaginal sex. Using lubricant with a condom also makes sex safer, especially anal sex. With latex condoms, use a water-based or silicone-based lubricant, because oil-based products can make condoms break.

Testing and vaccines

Regular STI testing is part of safer sex, even if you always use condoms and feel well, because many STIs have no symptoms. In many places you can go to a sexual health clinic without a referral, and some clinics offer home testing kits. Vaccines can protect you against two STIs, human papillomavirus (HPV) and hepatitis B. Ask a doctor or nurse whether you are up to date. If you have a higher chance of getting HIV, ask a sexual health clinic about PrEP, a medicine that lowers that chance.

Talking with partners

It can help to talk about safer sex before you have sex. You might talk about when you were each last tested, which contraception you use, and using condoms. If you know you have an STI, tell a partner before you have sex. Alcohol and drugs can make it harder to stick to the choices you want, so it helps to agree on things while you are sober.

If something goes wrong

If pregnancy is possible, you may choose to use condoms together with another kind of contraception. A doctor, nurse or sexual health clinic can help you choose. If a condom splits or slips off, or you had sex without protection, act quickly. Emergency contraception works best the sooner you use it and must be used within 3 to 5 days. If HIV is a risk, ask a sexual health clinic or emergency department about PEP, a medicine that must be started within 72 hours. Ask about STI testing too. Some STIs take up to 7 weeks to show on a test, so they may suggest testing again later.

This is general information. For advice on testing or contraception that suits you, talk to a doctor, nurse or sexual health clinic.