Preventing STIs

The best prevention against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) is to not have sexual intercourse or to be in a long term relationship with one person where you have both had a sexual health check up and know that you are not infected.

Other ways to prevent STIs include:

Using a condom – using a male condom is the most effective form of protection against STIs when having sexual intercourse. Female condoms are also available but these are not quite as effective. Make sure any condom you use is within its use-by date printed on the packet and that it is put on the penis properly. If you are not in a long term relationship be prepared, have condoms to hand and ready to use when you need them. See our A-Z information on condoms.

Limit your number of partners – the less sexual partners you have the more you reduce your risk of contracting an STI. Remember that if your partner has sex with other people this will also increase your risk of contracting an STI.

Be sensible – drinking alcohol or take other drugs it can cloud your judgement. You may make decisions that you regret the next day, that puts you at risk of contracting an STI.

Leave out the intercourse – have fun in other ways with your partner. You can touch, cuddle, give each other massages and share your sexual fantasies all without having intercourse and being at risk of contracting an STI. Any kind of genital rubbing or oral sex still comes with a risk and some sort of barrier protection, such as a condom, should be used.

Get tested - you can never be 100% sure that a prospective sexual partner does not have an STI, and the more sexual partners that you or they have had, the higher the risk of contracting an STI. If you have a new partner, it is always a good idea for you both to be tested for STIs before having sexual intercourse.

Be aware - if you think that you may have contracted an STI, you should visit your local sexual health or genitourinary (GUM) clinic to have a check up.