If you’re having sex, it’s important to know how to keep yourself and your partner/s protected.
This includes preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs), the consideration of unplanned pregnancies and only having sex when you feel it is right for you.
Sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
STIs are infections that are passed on through sexual contact (including vaginal, oral and anal sex) and on some occasions skin-to-skin contact. Some common STIs include:
STIs can be symptomatic (showing signs and symptoms of infection) or asymptomatic (no noticeable signs or symptoms). With the right protection, good communication and regular sexual health checks, STIs can be easily prevented, treated or managed.
Practicing safer sex
Practicing safer sex will help reduce your risk of STIs. Be prepared by:
- carrying condoms, internal or female condoms, dental dams and lubricant (and know how to use them correctly)
- using a water-based lubricant when using a condom
- checking the use-by dates of condoms to prevent chance of breaking
- using a new condom each time you have sex, and when switching from one type of sex to another i.e. vaginal/anal/oral.
Learn more about STI prevention and protection
Getting tested and support
If you're sexually active or are planning to be, make regular sexual health checks a priority, especially between partners or if you have multiple partners. This will help to reduce the transmission of STIs.
Supportive, confidential and free testing services are available. There is no need to feel embarrassed or nervous about getting tested.
Learn about the testing process
There are many services that allow you to get tested for STIs on your own terms in a way that is comfortable for you.
- UQ Union free STI testing program on campus
- RAPID
- 13 HEALTH webtest – free chlamydia and gonorrhoea urine test
- Queensland Health Sexual health services in Queensland
- speak with your doctor, or search for a GP.
General support/services directory
Support for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students
Culturally and linguistically diverse student support
- True relationships & reproductive health
- Fact sheets – True relationships & reproductive health
- Sexual health factsheets in other languages, and translated sexual health resources and videos – Sexual Health Victoria
- Fact sheets in community languages – Family Planning NSW
LGBTQIA+ students
Contraception
Having safer sex also includes using contraception. Contraception helps to reduce the chances of an unplanned pregnancy.
Types of contraception
There are a range of prescription and non-prescription contraception options, including:
- condoms (external and internal)
- contraceptive pills
- intrauterine devices (IUDs)
- contraceptive implant
- contraceptive injection
- contraceptive ring
- diaphragm
- emergency contraception pill (the ‘morning after’ pill)
- sterilisation (vasectomy or tubal ligation).
Choosing the right contraception for you can be a difficult choice— some considerations may include the ease of use, cost, reversibility, effectiveness, and any potential side effects. Not all contraception methods prevent STIs. Often a combination of protection is required to prevent an unplanned pregnancy and the transmission of STIs.
Watch: about contraception
Learn more about your contraception options
- Contraception – Children by Choice
- Fact sheets – True Relationships & Reproductive Health
- speak with your doctor, or search for a GP
- use Children by Choice's search to find specific services near you (e.g. LGBTIQA+ friendly services, no Medicare card required).
What to do if you’ve had unprotected sex
If you’ve had unprotected sex and are worried about STIs or unplanned pregnancy, choose from the below support services to discuss your next steps:
General help and support
On-campus support:
Australia-wide resources:
- True relationships and reproductive health – Queensland
- Family Planning – New South Wales
- Sexual Health Victoria
- SHINE – South Australia
- Sexual Health Quarters – Western Australia
- Family Planning – Northern Territory
- Sexual Health and Family Planning – Australian Capital Territory
- Family Planning – Tasmania