Advice

If you want to avoid picking up an STI, or erm... a baby, you need to have safe sex. Get clued-up on safe sex here, including the facts, the myths and why you need to use condoms...

AKA:

Birth control, being careful, bagging up (using condoms), contraception, covering up, family planning.

What is it?

Sex with fewer risks. Practise safer sex and you're far less likely to pick up an STI, including HIV. It means using condoms - always. Sex and condoms go together like Ant and Dec. We can't have one without the other.

It also means being choosy about your partners. More partners = bigger risk.

It doesn't mean not having fun. It doesn't mean not being passionate or spontaneous. There is nothing romantic or reckless about STIs.

Should the boy always provide condoms?

No. This is the 21st Century.

We should all protect ourselves. Whether we expect to have sex, or not. Like carrying a tampon. Just in case.

If a boy won't wear a condom, then don't have sex with him. If he cared about you he'd wear one - so he's certainly not worth the risk.

If a girl wants you to have sex without a condom, say no. It's not will-power. It's common sense.

If I'm on the Pill do I still need condoms?

Yes. The Pill won't protect you from STIs including HIV. Condoms are needed, too - every time.

What if you haven't started your periods or you have sex just before/after your period?

There's no time during your menstrual cycle where you can be sure you won't get pregnant. Even if you've never had a period you can still get pregnant because your body could already be producing eggs.

Other myths are that you won't get pregnant if it's your first time, you do it standing up or in water, or you wash your vagina out afterwards. Wrong!

So are you 100% safe if you only foreplay or use a condom?

Sticking to foreplay is safer, but you can catch some STIs just by rubbing against each other, and if sperm gets anywhere near your vagina you could still get pregnant - even if you're a virgin. Condoms are effective contraception and prevent STIs, but sex can never be 100% safe, so it's good to use an additional form of contraception like the Pill.