Safer sex is a way of reducing the chance of getting or passing on a sexually transmitted infection (STI).
There are a number of different STIs including:
The risks of getting one of these STIs will be different depending on who you have sex with and the type of sex you have.
In the same way that there are different types of sex you can have and different risks of STIs there are also different ways in which you can have safer sex. You may find you need different safer sex options at different times of your life and many people find that a combination of different safer sex methods may be useful to protect your sexual health.
There are a number of ways you can have safer sex and reduce your risks of STIs:
Talking to a member of staff at Unity can help you find the right types of safer sex which work for you.
Condoms are the best way to reduce transmission of STIs and they can protect against pregnancy.
Condoms are:
Lubricant can make a big difference to condoms, from making them easier to use, reducing the chance of them breaking, or making sex feel more pleasurable for both partners.
Lubricant comes in different types. Water or silicon based lubricant is safe for use with all condoms, but be careful not to use an oil based lubricant or moisturiser with latex condoms, as they can cause the condoms to break.
For information on how to use a condom, click on the link below.
Some people can experience difficulties with using condoms, and the troubleshooting guide on the link below has some helpful hints on how you can overcome issues like losing erections or condoms breaking.
There’s a huge variety of condoms and lube available, with differences in size and materials for condoms, and the types of lubricant that goes with them.
Choosing the right condoms and lube can make a big difference to how easy they are to use, improving sensation and pleasure during sex, and reducing the chance of condoms breaking.
Different types of condoms include:
Lubricant that is safe for use with condoms comes in silicon, water based varieties, with some lubricants using a mix of both. Lubricants can be clear or opaque in colour, and come in different flavours too. The feel and sensation of lubricants can differ greatly between brands, so it’s a good idea to try different ones to help you find one that’s right for you.
Unity services provide a wide variety of free condoms and lube. Our friendly staff can help you find the best options which work for you, and help with any difficulties you may have using condoms.