How can I have sex more safely?

You can have fun—and erotic sex—with no risk of getting HIV. Just choose sex that prevents any semen, vaginal fluids or blood from entering your bloodstream.

Some examples of safe sex include:

• kissing—including French kissing
• hugging
• massaging
• fondling, touching, rubbing
• masturbating (alone or with your partner)

Touching the penis, vagina or anus isn’t normally risky. It is only risky if you have open cuts or sores that could allow any HIV-infected semen, vaginal fluids or blood to enter your bloodstream.

Some risk

Oral sex has some risk, but it is considered "low" risk because saliva doesn’t transmit HIV. But if you have any open cuts or sores in your mouth, infected semen or vaginal fluid could enter your bloodstream when you lick or suck a man's penis or a woman's vagina,.

High risk

The lining of the vagina and the anus is delicate and thin. It breaks easily and invisibly. That's why the riskiest types of sex are

• having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom, and
• sharing or inserting sex toys without using a condom, or without cleaning them.

• Talk to your partner about safer sex before having sex.
• Use a latex condom for
• vaginal or anal intercourse,
• oral sex on a man,
• oral sex on a woman (place a condom cut open lengthwise or a dental dam over her vagina as a barrier), and
• sharing sex toys.
• Use lots of water-based lubricant. Don’t use Vaseline or oil-based products that weaken condoms.
• Try a female condom. They are
• polyurethane (not latex)
• inserted before sex