How to avoid STIs

There are things you can do to reduce the chance of coming into contact with STIs while still enjoying an active sex life.

• Use a condom every time you have sex.
• Talk to potential partners about your sexual history and when you last tested
• Get tested with your partner and share results before having sex
• Have few sexual partners
• Avoid sex when under the influence of alcohol or drugs as this is often when people struggle to have safe sex

The risk of STIs from having sex without a condom is much lower if you and your partner only have sex with each other and have both tested negative for STIs.