STI info

What is an STI?

STIs are infections that are transmitted through close body contact or the exchange of body fluids such as semen (cum), blood, mucus or saliva. Sexual contact includes fucking, sucking, touching, fingering or kissing/licking a dick or arse.

If you or your partner have any sex with casual partners it is a good idea to get tested for STIs regularly. An annual check is a good baseline. However, the more sexual partners you have the more frequently you should get tested. That may mean every 3-6 months.

Even if you have no symptoms you could still have an STI and the only way to know is to get a test. If you are in a new relationship, monogamous or otherwise, it is a good time for you and your partner to get a check-up. You may have contracted an STI from a previous partner. Regular testing is also recommended if you are having sex outside the relationship.

How can I tell if I have an STI (sexually transmissible infection)?

Many people with an STI do not have any symptoms. Getting an STI check-up regularly is the only way to detect most STIs. Signs that may indicate that you have an STI include:

Smelly, cloudy or yellowish discharge or pus coming from your penis or if it hurts when you piss;
Blisters, sores, warts or lumps on your penis or any of the surrounding skin;
Itchiness in the genital area;
If it hurts when you have sex; and,
Fever, swollen glands (especially in the groin), flu-like symptoms or unexplained weight loss or tiredness.

If you have any of these symptoms you should see your doctor or health care worker as soon as you can. You should also avoid having sex until you have been tested.

If you are sexually active, and especially if you are having sex with different casual partners, you should have regular checkups for STIs even if you do not have any symptoms. Every 3-6 months is a guideline.

For the NSW Health link to all infectious diseases listed A - Z click here

Reducing the Risk

Safe Sex

Safe sex, for HIV, is any sexual activity that doesn’t allow infected semen, vaginal fluid or blood to pass from one person into the bloodstream of another person. Fucking without condoms, for example, can allow infected semen to enter the bloodstream of the receptive partner (“bottom” partner) through the lining of the arse. Condoms are the most effective way to prevent HIV transmission. Condoms also offer some protection against a range of other STIs. They do this by preventing transfer of infected fluids or by covering infected sites. However, because STIs are transmitted in a variety of ways the protection condoms give is not complete.

Effective Condom Use

When used properly condoms stop the transmission of HIV and reduce the transmission of other STIs.

Condom Use Guidelines:

Condoms come in different shapes and sizes (eg tighter fitting, regular, larger fitting, flared) - choose the best for you;

Check the use by date and the Australian Standard mark;
Take care not to tear the condom when opening the packet;
If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin;
Squeeze the air out of the tip and roll the condom all the way down to the base of the dick;
Use lots of lube;
Check from time to time that the condom is still intact and apply more lube;
When pulling out, hold the condom by the base so it doesn’t slip off;
Only use condoms once and, if having sex with multiple partners, use a new condom with each partner;
Throw them in the bin not down the toilet.

Lube

Always use a water or silicone based lube. Oil based lubes (eg hand cream, Crisco, Vaseline) weaken condoms and can cause them to break. Using no lube or using saliva puts extra strain on the condom making it more likely to break.

Using plenty of lube is one way to prevent condom breakage – the more the better. You may need to re-apply lube several times when fucking.

Avoid putting lube on your dick before putting the condom on as it’s more likely to slip off.

Sex Toys

To prevent STIs and HIV being transmitted from one partner to another on sex toys you can: have your own toys; wash them with warm soapy water and dry them between partners; or use condoms on them, changing the condom after use with each partner. There have been cases where hepatitis C is being passed on during group sex when infected blood is present on hands, toys or dicks that are inserted in one arse then another without being washed.

This page last updated 8 September 2008