Safe sex practices

Safe sex means not allowing your partner's body fluids (blood, semen, vaginal fluids) into your body and vice versa. It can also mean covering up or avoiding contact with parts of the body that might be infectious (e.g. herpes sores or warts)

With some forms of sex, it's possible to avoid any transfer of body fluids, e.g. massage and mutual masturbation ("hand jobs").

Oral sex carries a lower risk of transmitting most (not all) of the STDs. If you have oral sex, you can reduce the risk of infection by following these guidelines:

• using condoms (flavoured ones are available!) or dental dams (see below)

• not getting semen or blood in your mouth

• avoiding oral sex if you have mouth ulcers or bleeding gums; not brushing your teeth immediately before oral sex

• if you get cold sores, don't give your partner oral sex when you have an outbreak. (Cold sores are caused by the herpes virus.)

If you have vaginal or anal intercourse, use condoms. They have the added benefit of helping prevent unwanted pregnancy. You can choose condoms which are textured, coloured and flavoured. Some condoms are non-allergenic, for those who have skin reactions or find latex uncomfortable.

From: http://www.stdservices.on.net/std/prevention/

What is sex education?

Sex education, which is sometimes called sexuality education or sex and relationships education, is the process of acquiring information and forming attitudes and beliefs about sex, sexual identity, relationships and intimacy. Sex education is also about developing young people's skills so that they make informed choices about their behaviour, and feel confident and competent about acting on these choices. It is widely accepted that young people have a right to sex education, partly because it is a means by which they are helped to protect themselves against abuse, exploitation, unintended pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS

From: http://www.avert.org/sex-education.htm