By taking responsibility for your sexual life and practising safe sex, you can protect your health and reduce your risk of getting an STI (sexually transmitted infection) including HIV/AIDS.

Ten tips for healthier sex

1. Respect your body.

2. Respect your partner’s body.

3. Say no if you don't want to have sex.

4. Have sex in a safe, hygienic and loving environment.

5. Refuse to engage in risky sexual behaviour (e.g. having sex with many partners, or often getting drunk and being careless about sexual protection).

6. Both you and your partner should get tested for STIs (sexually transmitted infections) before having sex for the first time.

7. Practise safer sex (e.g. use condoms with someone whose sexual history is unknown to you).

8. Communicate honestly.

9. Take charge of your sexual health and make sure you understand issues like:

• how to use a condom;
• birth control;
• emergency contraception;
• protection against STIs; and
• consequences of risky sexual behaviour.

10. Share your sexual health knowledge with loved ones (e.g. your children) in a way that feels right for you

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