Use it right - Have CONDOM Protection

KNOWING ABOUT SAFE SEX AND USING MALE & FEMALE CONDOMS are the best way to protect you and your partner from contracting or transmitting HIV, AIDS and Sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

UNSAFE SEX or RISK is currently identified as:

• Receiving anal sex
• Giving anal sex.
• Receiving vaginal sex.
• Giving vaginal sex.
• Giving oral sex.
• Receiving oral sex.

USING MALE CONDOMS

Step 1: Push the condom aside and carefully open the package with your hands	Step 2: Only put on the condom when your penis is fully erect
Step 3: If uncut, draw back the foreskin before rolling it down	Step 4: Squeeze the tip of the condom when putting it on
Step 5: Roll the condom over the whole length of your penis	Step 6: Only use water based lube with condoms. Oil based products will break down the latex
Step 7: When you are done hold on to the base of the condom and withdraw while your penis is still stiff	Step 8: Tie the condom and dispose it properly. Do not throw condoms in a toilet.
Step 9: Use each condom only once. Have some extras available

CONDOM TIPS:

• Store them in a dry and cool place
• Its okay to carry condoms in your pocket or wallet for a Short period of time only
• Double-check the manufacturer and expiration dates
• Lube it up - increase your HIV protection with water based lubricants e.g KY Gel
• Products like Vaseline, Baby Oil, Cocoa butter, Margarine, Soap and Hand lotion will damage your condom
• Always have some extras available

SMART TIP: Never use condoms with Nonoxynol 9 - N9

Female Same Sex – Safer Sex Guidelines

Safer sex for lesbians, bisexual women and women who have sex with women (WSW) is a way to protect you and your partner from contracting or transmitting HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs).

But what exactly is safer sex between women? And how can you be sure you're protected?

The best way to protect yourself is to keep your partner's body fluids out of your body. These fluids include vaginal fluids, blood, menstrual blood, breast milk, and semen. If you're sexually active, there is no 100 percent protection against contracting HIV/AIDS or a sexually transmitted infection.

These are some things you can do to make your play safer.  

• Masturbation (only touching yourself) -
• Cybersex -Nipple and breast stimulation when not lactating
• Erotic massage
• Body rubbing
• Kissing
• Using a sex toy with a condom (be sure to use a new condom and keep sterile if sharing sex toys)
• Cunnilingus (oral sex) with a dental dam or latex barrier. A condom can be cut lengthwise. Plastic wrap is not recommended as it is porous -Vaginal or anal contact with a latex glove

UNSAFE SEXUAL PRACTISES FOR SAME SEX FEMALES:

• Unprotected cunnilingus, especially when a woman is bleeding
• Unprotected rimming
• Sharing sex toys without a condom
• Sharing needles
• Unprotected fellatio
• Unprotected penis/vaginal intercourse
• Unprotected penis/anal intercourse

Making Your Sexual Decisions

• Get all the information you can about your choices
• Think about what you want and don’t want
• Figure out how you feel about the situation and choose the option that best fits you
• Be assertive and communicate your decision to your partner
• Don’t let others pressure you
• If you feel good about yourself, you’re more likely to make healthy decisions
• Making decisions is easier if you have taken the time to think about how you feel and if you make decisions in non-pressured situations
• Using drugs and alcohol can get in the way of making a good decision
• Practising safer sex guidelines for HIV/AIDS will better protect you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
• Oral sex is sexual activity and puts you at risk to being infected with a sexually transmitted infection (STIs)

SMART TIP: Use Condoms and Dental Dams for greater oral protection from HIV, AIDS and STIs

You can turn a condom into a dental dam. Simply roll down an unused condom and cut down one side to create a flat barrier between your mouth and your partner’s genitals.

Drawings Courtesy of DENI - Mixed Media
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