back to top Sex and HIV: What is Sex? What is Safer Sex?
| 'The Joy of Non Sex': A funny film about the importance of condoms from MTV Staying Alive |
Sex refers to various sexual activities, including sexual intercourse or pentrative sex, oral sex and mutual stimulation. Sex is not just physical sexual contact; it can also involve emotions and feelings. When people talk about sex (sexual intercourse) they are usually referring to penetrative sex, where a man inserts his penis into the vagina or anus of a sexual partner. This way of having sex is also the main route by which sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as HIV are passed from one person to another.
Safer sex involves taking measures to prevent the transmission of STIs during sexual contact. Common methods of safer sex are using a condom for vaginal and anal penetration (sexual intercourse), and using dental dams for oral sex. Using such protection prevents bodily fluids that carry STIs like HIV from being exchanged during sex. Although condoms and dental dams are not 100% safe, if used properly, they have been proven to be highly effective ways of preventing the transmission of STIs.
Unprotected sex happens everytime when no form of protection is used. Having unprotected sex is the leading way by which STIs such as Chlamydia or HIV are transmitted. Contraception pills or injections or other procedures that prevent women from becoming pregnant do not prevent infections with STIs.
Under Sex and Sexual Health topics, you will find links to pages that contain more information about sex, including having sex for the first time, losing your virginity, penetrative sex, oral sex, using condoms, being ready for sex, contraception, casual sex, contraception, sex and pregnancy, and how to have sex among other things.