Safe sex tips

Studying in Australia is a great opportunity to meet new people and make friends. Sometimes even romance can come your way! If you do become romantically involved with someone and decide to take things to the next level, it‘s important to protect yourself and your sexual partner by engaging in safe sex. 

While sex can be difficult to talk about, it is crucial that you are well-informed of the risks that come with being sexually active and your contraception options.

Contraception, also known as birth control, is a term for something that prevents pregnancy. Some forms of contraception, like condoms, also protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs), making it an important part of safe sex for everyone. 

When choosing the right form of contraception for you and your partner, you will need to consider effectiveness, cost, any possible side effects, and your lifestyle. Explore some of the most common contraceptives below. 

Condoms are one of the most common forms of contraception. A condom is a latex or polyurethane sleeve worn over the penis. Condoms are a barrier (physical) method of contraception and are very effective at preventing both unplanned pregnancy and the spread of STIs, and it’s a good idea to use them every time you have sex. You can use condoms by themselves or combine them with another method of contraception. 

Condoms are also affordable, readily available, and convenient, as you do not need to visit a doctor for a prescription or remember to take a pill every day. You can buy condoms from many places including pharmacies, supermarkets, service stations and convenience stores. 

Known generally as ‘the pill’, there are several types of hormonal contraception pills available under many brand names. They work by preventing ovulation – the release of an egg from the ovaries, thereby preventing pregnancy. 

Most pills need to be taken every day at around the same time for maximum effectiveness. When used correctly, the pill is about 99% effective, but it does not protect you from STIs. You will need a prescription from a doctor to get the pill, so see your general practitioner to discuss which one could be suitable for you.

There are numerous other methods of contraception, such as the emergency contraceptive pill (also known as the ‘morning after pill’), contraceptive injections which last for 12 weeks, contraceptive implants which last for 3 years, intra-uterine devices (IUDs) which last for 5-10 years, and more. Speak to your doctor about the wide variety of options available to you.

Not all sexual partners need contraceptives, but that doesn’t mean they don’t need to follow safe sex practices. 

For example, if you’re engaging in oral sex, you can make use of a dental dam – a rectangular sheet of latex. This helps prevent the spread of STIs like herpes, which can be transmitted through oral sex. 

You may also want to consider asking your doctor about Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), especially if you’re at risk of HIV. PrEP is a tablet or injection you can take to reduce your risk of contracting HIV if exposed. 

People at higher risk include men and trans people who have sex with men, people whose partners are HIV positive and people with a history of STIs. 

Sometimes it can be difficult to broach these topics with your partner, especially if you are not used to talking about sex. But it is important you discuss your chosen method of contraception before you have sex to make sure you are both happy, confident, and safely protected from STIs or unplanned pregnancy.

Think of it this way – a slightly uncomfortable conversation now could avoid a very uncomfortable conversation later if you end up in a tricky situation because you were not fully prepared.

Before you engage in any sexual activity, it’s important to make sure you have your partner’s consent, and they have yours. Consent to participate in a sexual act should always be free, voluntary, and informed. This means every participant genuinely wants to engage in the act and has all the relevant information they need to make that decision. 

It’s also important to know that consent can be revoked. If you or another person change your mind or want to stop, it’s important to respect that. Everyone has the right to decide what to do with their own body. 

Consent doesn’t have to be verbal. You might be able to tell if someone is consenting through their body language. Of course, if you’re unsure, it’s always best to ask. 

For more information about consent, visit Consent Can't Wait. 

While your friends and family may mean well, they do not always have the most accurate and up-to-date information on sexual health or safe sex practices.

For good advice you can trust about contraception, safe sex and more, speak to your general practitioner. You c find a doctor near you with the Allianz Care Australia's Find a Doctor tool.

The tool can even help you find doctors who can give you advice in other languages, making it easy to get the help you need. 

There are a number of government telephone hotlines you can call for confidential advice:

• New South Wales Sexual Health Infolink
• Western Australia Sexual Health Helpline
• South Australia Sexual Healthline
• Study Victoria Information

It’s also a good idea to do your own research online via reputable websites such as:

• Queensland Sexual Health
• Northern Territory Practicing Safe Sex

LGBTIQ+ people can access specialised support and advice from organisations like:

• LGBTIQ+ Health Australia
• Rainbow Network
• Transcend Australia