How many STIs do each of these sex acts expose you to?
- Vaginal sex
- Oral sex
- Anal sex
- Kissing
- Touching
- Rimming
- Fingering and fisting
- Using sex toys and accessories
1. Vaginal sex
Vaginal sex exposes you to ALL STIs.
Reasons
- One genital is inside the other
- There is an exchange of body fluids like semen and discharge
It is always important to use protection, even if you or your partner is a virgin.
Safer Sex Options
- Condom
- Female condom
- Low-risk activities such as kissing, touching and masturbation
back to the top 2. Oral sex
Oral sex exposes you to MANY STIs.
Reasons
- Some STIs can live in saliva and other body fluids
- Some STIs can be transmitted through cuts and sores in your mouth
Safer Sex Options
- Dental dam
- Condom
- Low-risk activities such as kissing, touching and masturbation
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3. Anal sex
Anal sex exposes you to ALL STIs.
Reasons
- One person’s genitals enters the other person’s body
- There is an exchange of body fluids like semen
- The skin inside the anus is very delicate and sensitive
Use lots of lube to avoid any small tears of the skin.
Safer Sex Options
- Condom
- Low-risk activities such as kissing, touching and masturbation
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4. Kissing
Kissing exposes you to JUST A FEW STIs.
Reasons
- Some STIs can live in saliva
- Some STIs can be transmitted through cuts and sores in your mouth
Safer Sex Options
- Other low-risk activities such as touching and masturbation
- No sex
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5. Touching
Touching exposes you to JUST A FEW STIs.
Reasons
- Some STIs produce bumps, rashes or puss on the outside of the body
- You can usually catch these STIs by touching that area and then touching yourself
Safer Sex Options
- Condom
- Dental dam
- Female condom
- Gloves
- Other low-risk activities such as kissing
- No sex
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6. Rimming
Rimming exposes you to MANY STIs.
Reasons
- some STIs can live in saliva and other body fluids
- some STIs can be transmitted through cuts and sores in your mouth
Remember that there are sometimes additional bacteria around the anus that could make you sick.
Safer Sex Options
- dental dam
- low-risk activities such as kissing, touching and masturbation
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7. Fingering or fisting
Fingering or fisting exposes you to JUST A FEW STIs.
Reasons
Some STIs can be transmitted through cuts and sores on your hands
Safer Sex Options
- Gloves
- Female condom
- Other low-risk activities such as kissing, touching and masturbation
- No sex
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8. Using sex toys and accessories
Using sex toys and accessories exposes you to JUST A FEW STIs.
Reasons
Risk increases when toys are shared or not cleaned – make sure you clean them as instructed between each use
For cleaning tips, visit our page on SEX TOYS in the spiderbytes.ca SEX section.
Safer Sex Options
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