Safer Sex Choices

Think about it. • Natural skin can prevent Insertive condoms are sold under the but are not effective in name “FC.” You can find them at Talk about it. preventing the transmission of HIV some Kaiser Permanente pharmacies, or STDs. local drugstores, some supermarkets, Protect yourself • Polyurethane condoms are made of a and online. plastic and may be a good choice if Lubricants and your partner. you are allergic to latex. They protect Lubricants are liquids and gels that you from HIV and STDs and can let the penis slide in and out of the Having sexual relationships is natural be used for oral, vaginal, and . or anus more easily. Water- and healthy. To keep sex healthy, it’s • Flavored condoms can be used for important to practice “safer sex.” based lubricants such as Aqua Lube, oral, vaginal, and anal sex. But Probe, K-Y Liquid, and Astroglide The goal of safer sex is to keep blood, some brands can be irritating and help to keep condoms from breaking , or vaginal fluid from getting lead to vaginal infections. and can make sex more enjoyable. into your body during sex. This can • Novelty condoms are often found in These lubricants are sold in drug - help prevent HIV and some other sex shops and usually say “for novelty stores and supermarkets. Some Kaiser sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). use only.” They are for humor only, Permanente pharmacies also sell Knowing how you can get an STD and are not meant for use during sex. them. Only water-based lubricants and how you can protect yourself can Condoms are sold in Kaiser Permanente should be used for sex. Oil-based help you make choices that are best pharmacies, as well as drugstores and products, such as Vaseline, baby oil, for you and your partner. Many birth supermarkets. Condoms are sometimes and vegetable oil are not a good control methods such as the pill, the available from vending machines in choice because they can cause latex ring, and the patch do not protect public restrooms. Local health depart - condoms to break. you from STDs, so it's important to ments or clinics know which methods do provide that often have condoms for free or sold protection. at a discount. Spermicides are chemicals that kill sperm. Nonoxynol-9 is the most What safer sex choices Female common type of and is can I make? The female, or “insertive” condom, is found in spermicidal foams, jellies, Condoms made of polyurethane. It is the length creams, suppositories, and some of a regular condom, but wider. A lubricated condoms. Spermicides do Condoms are made of thin latex rubber plastic ring at the closed end keeps not protect against HIV and STDs. and cover the penis when it gets hard. the condom fixed within the vagina In fact, people who are sensitive to They keep semen out of the mouth, during vaginal sex. A female condom nonoxynol-9 can have vaginal, penile, vagina, and anus during sex. can also be used for protection from or anal irritation after using them. There are several different kinds of STDs for anal sex, though it is When these areas are irritated, the condoms: important not to reuse the same risk of spreading HIV and other • Latex (rubber) is the most available female condom that has been used STDs may increase. and effective. It can prevent pregnancy for vaginal sex – always get a new Oral dams female condom for anal sex. A larger and can protect you from HIV and Oral dams are thin squares of latex most STDs. ring at the open end stays outside the used for protection during . vagina or anus, spreading over the They can help prevent HIV, other outside of the genital area.

HEALTH EDUCATION Safer Sex Choices

STDs, and intestinal diseases during Are there treatments for How to use a condom mouth-to-vagina or mouth-to-anus STDs? 1. When the penis is sex. Dams can be difficult to find, but you can often find them in condom Some STDs are curable with medicine. hard, squeeze the tip stores or sexually-oriented stores. Other STDs cannot be cured, but do of the rolled-up have treatments to control them. condom, and place Kitchen plastic wrap can also be used it on the head of as a dam during oral sex, if used cor - What if I’m under 18? the penis. rectly. Make sure to use a piece that If you are between the ages of 12 and 2. Hold the tip and is large enough to fit over the anus or 18, you can be treated for sexually vagina. press the air out transmitted diseases or obtain birth as you unroll the Intimacy without having sex control in California and some other condom completely. Not having sex (abstinence) is another states without your parents’ permission. (Air bubbles can way to prevent STDs. There are many California state law requires that Kaiser break condoms.) Permanente must protect your privacy. ways you can enjoy being intimate 3. Use water-based lubrication (see without having sex, such as kissing, “Lubricants” on the other side). touching, massage, or watching each Should I get tested for other masturbate. STDs? 4. After ejaculation (“cumming”), hold the base of the condom, and Be creative while being intimate! Even if you do not have any symptoms, you can get confidential HIV and pull out while the penis is still What are STDs? STD tests at Kaiser Permanente. hard. Move away from your part - This means that your test results will ner to remove the condom in case STDs are infections that are spread semen spills out of the condom. from person to person during sexual not be shared with anyone without Never reuse a condom. contact. Some common STDs are your signed authorization unless chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, and required by law. Also, many local health clinics provide free testing. hepatitis B. Some STDs are passed Additional resources by skin-to-skin contact while others You can call 1-800-367-AIDS for the are passed through the exchange of nearest HIV testing site in your com - • National STD Hotline 1-800-227-8922 munity. You may especially want to body fluids (semen, vaginal fluids, • Centers for Disease Control Conact and blood). get tested if you have had oral, vaginal, Center 1-800-232-4636 or anal sex without a condom. If you Some symptoms of STDs may think that you may have been exposed • Coalition for Positive Sexuality include: to an STD, even if you don’t have positive.org • bumps or sores any symptoms, talk to your doctor or • Planned Parenthood • pain when urinating (peeing) nurse practitioner right away. plannedparenthood.org • unusual discharge from the penis, • Connect to our Web site at kp.org to vagina, or anus How can I talk to my part - access health and drug encyclopedias, Many STDs do not cause any symptoms interactive programs, health classes, ner about safer sex? and more. at all. Even if you have no symptoms, • Be clear about what you will and you may still be infected and can won’t do. • Contact your local Kaiser Permanente pass the disease on to another person. Health Education Center or Department • Be direct about what you need for health information, programs, and If you are a sexually active woman and expect. other resources. who is 24 or younger, it is important • Tell your partner how important that you get tested for chlamydia communication is to you. every year, whether you have symptoms Talk to friends who practice safer sex or not. and find out what works for them.

This information is not intended to diagnose or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only. © 2007, The Permanente Medical Group, Inc. All rights reserved. Regional Health Education. 011061-244 (Revised 11-10) RL 7.2