Safer Sex—What Do You Know?

Safer Sex—What Do You Know?
What is safer sex?
What makes sex safer?
Safer sex is a way you can help protect yourself from
sexually transmitted disease (STD). STDs are infections
spread from person to person during vaginal, anal and
oral sex.
These questions will show you how much you know
about protecting yourself. Circle any you miss.
Answer the questions in this self-test to find out how
much you know about STD, safer sex and condoms. Your
answers will tell you how safe your habits are, and what
you need to do to be safer.
What do you know about STD?
Use these questions to check out how much you know
about STD. Circle any you miss.
1.Some common STDs are gonorrhea, herpes, HIV and
genital warts.
True False
1.The surest way to avoid getting STD, including HIV, is
not to have sex at all.
True False
2.Masturbating alone or with a partner is safe.
True False
3.If you have sex, latex condoms provide the best
protection against STD and pregnancy.
True False
4.Safer sex keeps a partner’s body fluids (semen, vaginal
fluids, blood) from getting into your body.
True False
2.You can tell by looking if someone has an STD.
True False
5.Using water-based lube, such as K-Y jelly or
Astroglide, with a condom can increase sexual
pleasure.
True False
3.STD is spread during vaginal, anal and oral sex, and
sometimes by genital touching.
True False
6.Vaseline, hand lotion or other oil-based lubes can
cause a condom to break.
True False
Answers: 1. True. This is called abstinence. 2. True. Mutual
masturbation is safe as long as no body fluids are exchanged.
3. True. You must use a condom correctly every time you have sex.
4. True. 5. True. 6. True.
4.The only sure way to know if you have an STD is to get
tested.
True False
5.HIV is passed in semen, blood and vaginal fluids.
True False
6.Many STDs can be cured; others can’t. But all STDs
can be treated.
True False
Answers: 1. True. 2. False. You can’t tell by looking if someone has an
STD. 3. True. 4. True. 5. True. 6. True.
Safer Sex Guidelines
• Don’t let a partner’s semen, blood or vaginal
fluids get into your body.
• Use a latex condom for vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Use plastic (polyurethane) condoms if you’re allergic
to latex.
• Use a water-based lubricant. This makes sex feel
better and can keep the condom from breaking.
“I like knowing enough about STD and safer sex to
protect myself and my partner.”
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Safer Sex—What Do You Know?
What about condoms?
Am I at risk?
Answer these questions to find out how much you know
about choosing and using condoms. Circle any you miss.
Are you doing everything you can to make sure you’re not
exposed to STD (including HIV)?
1.You have to be over age 18 to buy condoms.
True False
1.I will only have sex if my partner and I have talked and
agreed to have safer sex.
Yes No
2.It’s a good idea to keep a spare condom in your wallet.
True False
3.Condoms can last for several years.
True False
2.I will not have sex, no matter how much I like my
partner, unless we use a condom.
Yes No
4.People who are allergic to latex can use plastic
(polyurethane) condoms.
True False
3.I’m comfortable using condoms and know how to use
them correctly.
Yes No
5.Condoms can only be used for vaginal sex.
True False
4.I keep condoms in a handy place so I’m prepared.
Yes No
6.Condoms are the only birth control method that also
protects you from STD.
True False
5.I know how to have great sex without exchanging any
blood, semen or vaginal fluids with my partner.
Yes No
6.I know that getting drunk or high can affect my
judgment and make me more likely to take risks.
Yes No
7. I understand all of the safer sex guidelines.
Yes No
Answers: 1. False. Minors can buy condoms anywhere. 2. False. Body
heat can weaken condoms that have been kept in a wallet. 3. False.
Check the packet for the expiration date. Never use an old condom with
an expired date. 4. True. These come in both male and female styles. 5.
False. Condoms should be used for vaginal, anal and oral sex. 6. True.
Did you answer no to any of these questions? These are
your areas of risk. Can you think of how you can change
these habits to make sex safer?
Check out the questions you circled. Get more
information to make sure you know enough to
protect yourself.
If you need help, talk with a counselor at an
STD or family planning clinic.
“Before we had sex, we talked about our plan for
staying safer.”
Professional models were used in all photos.
This fact sheet is not intended as a substitute for your health p
­ rofessional’s opinion
or care.
Written by Laura Perkins, MLS, with Kay Clark.
© 2012 ETR Associates. All rights reserved. Not for resale.
Reproduction permission granted except for purposes of resale.
A nonprofit organization
FS007
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