Safer Sex

General Guidelines For Safer Sex

Safer Sex practices are not 100% effective against the spread of HIV/AIDS. However, by knowing and using these guidelines, you can greatly decrease your risk for infection.

Considerations
Safer sex practices are not 100% effective.
Cover up describes all of the sex techniques.
Cover up from start to finish. Apply protection before genital contact.
Cover up every time. Start now even if you haven't in the past.

Oral Sex
Use plastic wrap or latex squares for licking the vagina or anus.

Penetration

If fingers penetrate body cavities, cover them with gloves or finger cots.

If you use objects for penetration, cover them with a condom.

Sexual practices that cause bleeding or irritation can increase risk. Use lubrication.

Some non barrier methods of birth control do not provide protection from sexually transmissible diseases.

Most preferable is the barrier methods.

For anal intercourse and mouth to penis oral contact a male condom works best.

With protection you can penetrate and lick anywhere.

Barriers and Spermicides

Male latex condoms

	Positive
		Can be used for vaginal, anal or mouth to penis oral sex and on sex toys that are shaped like a penis
		For those that are allergic to latex, polyurethane condoms are available.
	Negative
		Must be used consistently and correctly
		Can spread HIV from a part of the body it doesn't cover
		Too much lubrication on the shaft of the penis may cause the condom to slide off
		If you use two condoms together, do not put lubricant between the condoms
		You must use lubricant for anal sex to reduce friction and reduce the likelihood of condom breakage

Female Condom

	Vaginal Sex
		Made of polyurethane can use oils as lubricant
		Useful for partners who are allergic to latex
		Women may prefer them
		More expensive than male condoms
		Use a new condom for each act of intercourse

Gloves, Finger Cots, and Plastic Wrap

	Vaginal, anal and oral sex
		If you use sex toys, use a fresh covering for each act (never reuse a plastic wrap, finger cot or condom). Any plastic wrap can be used if it can be used with food. Plastic wrap has not been proven to prevent transmission of HIV. Microwaveable plastic wrap has pores through which HIV could be transmitted. Therefore, only non-microwaveable plastic wrap can be used.
		Condoms and gloves can be cut to form a flat piece of latex to cover the vaginal or anal area.
		Cannot be used with oil based lubricants or fatty or oily foods.
		Use a fresh piece of latex or plastic wrap because you may not be able to tell which side was previously used.

Diaphragm/Cervical Cap

	Vaginal Sex
		Alone they are an ineffective barrier against disease; it doesn't cover the whole vagina.
		Some researchers speculate that the cervix is more vulnerable to HIV than the walls of the vagina.

Spermicides

		Can be used for vaginal and anal sex.
		Provide lubrication; reduce problems caused by friction, such as tears in the vaginal or anal walls or condom breakage.
		According to the CDC, spermicide killed HIV during laboratory testing, however, there is no evidence spermicide is effective in killing HIV during intercourse.*
		Some people find spermicides irritating; some researchers speculate that irritation could make a person vulnerable to HIV infection.*
		Spermicides are effective in killing other sexually transmitted infections.

Sexual Activity According To Degree of Risk For Transmitting HIV
Listed from highest risk behavior to lowest risk

1.	Anal intercourse with internal ejaculation without a condom
2.	Vaginal intercourse with internal ejaculation without a condom and without any form of barrier contraception
3.	Vaginal intercourse with internal ejaculation without a condom but with spermicidal form*
4.	Anal intercourse with a condom and withdrawing prior to ejaculation
5.	Vaginal intercourse without spermicidal foam and without a condom and withdrawing prior to ejaculation*
6.	Vaginal intercourse using spermicidal foam but without a condom and withdrawing prior to ejaculation*
7.	Use of sex toys by more than one partner without a condom and that have not been sterilized between uses
8.	Brachioproctic activities (anal fisting)
9.	Brachiovaginal activities (fisting)
10.	Anal intercourse with internal ejaculation with a condom correctly with spermicide*
11.	Vaginal intercourse with internal ejaculation with a condom correctly used but no spermicidal foam*
12.	Vaginal intercourse with internal ejaculation with a condom correctly used with spermicidal foam*
13.	Anal intercourse with a condom correctly used and withdrawing prior to ejaculation
14.	Vaginal intercourse with a condom correctly used and withdrawing prior to ejaculation
15.	Fellatio without a condom with ejaculation in mouth
16.	Fellatio without a condom putting the head of the penis inside the mouth and withdrawing prior to ejaculation
17.	Fellatio to orgasm with a condom
18.	Fellatio without a condom, but never putting the head of the penis inside mouth
19.	Cunnilingus
20.	Use of sex toys (dildos) with condoms, or that they are not shared by partners and that have been properly sterilized between uses
21.	Mutual masturbation with orgasm on, not in partner
22.	Intercourse between the thighs
23.	Frottage (rubbing a person for sexual pleasure)
24.	Mutual masturbation with internal touching using finger cots or condoms
25.	Mutual masturbation with only external touching
26.	Deep wet kissing
27.	Masturbating with another person but not touching one another
28.	Hugging/massage/dry kissing

*	Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) Not Effective In Reducing HIV Transmission Helene Gayle, MD, director of the CDC's National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention, issued a "Dear Colleague" letter warning that N-9 is ineffective in preventing HIV transmission and may in fact increase the risk of transmission. N-9, a spermicide and microbicide, is an ingredient in many contraceptive gels and foams, and in lubricants on some types of condoms. Studies have shown that N-9 can irritate and damage mucous membranes in the vagina and the rectum, especially with frequent use. According to Dr. Gayle's letter, "N-9 has now been proven ineffective against HIV transmission... The possibility of risk, with no benefit, indicates hat N-9 should not be recommended as an effective means of HIV prevention... Anyone currently using N-9 as a microbicide to protect themselves from HIV transmission during anal intercourse should be informed of the ineffectiveness of this agent and warned of the potential risk of this practice." However, the CDC recommends that using a condom lubricated N-9 is better than not using a condom at all.