Page 233 - (DK) Help Your Kids with Growing Up: A No-Nonsense Guide to Puberty and Adolescence

SAFER SEX 231

Practising safer sex

STIs can be transmitted via foreplay, and during all types of sex. They may be spread
through contact with the genitals or through exchanging bodily fluids (including blood,
semen, and discharge from the vagina and anus). There are various ways to reduce the
risk of catching or transmitting an STI. Here are just a few:

Male condom

Female condom

Using barrier Having regular STI tests Avoiding certain
contraceptives Some STIs don’t have any visible sexual practices
Using a condom is probably the symptoms, so if a person is sexually Sex is the most common way
easiest way to protect against STIs. active, they should get tested an STI can be passed on, so
But remember that some STIs can regularly, just in case. sticking to low-risk activities such
still be transmitted by other parts of as masturbation or foreplay will
the body and bodily fluids coming reduce the risk of catching one.
into contact.

Choosing sexual Avoiding alcohol Not having sex
partners carefully and drugs Being abstinent is choosing not to

When a person refuses to have Drinking alcohol and taking drugs have sex or engage in any type of
sex with a potential partner who affects a person’s ability to make sexual activity. When practised
is having sex with other people, judgements. A person may plan to properly, abstinence is the only
or until they have had an STI test, stick to masturbation or foreplay, or method that is 100 per cent effective
they are practising safer sex. use condoms, but end up engaging against STIs. If a teen decides they
in unsafe sex if they are under the don’t want to have sex, others
influence of alcohol or drugs. should respect their decision.

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