Your sexual health toolkit

When we talk or learn about sexual health and wellbeing, we often focus on all the things that could go wrong. This can take away from the joy and pleasure of sex! Sexual pleasure is about all the mental and physical ways that we enjoy erotic thoughts, feelings, fantasies and sensations, alone or with others.

Knowing and exploring what feels good for our body and communicating this with our sexual partners is an empowering way to make sex fun and pleasurable for everyone involved. It’s important to feel safe, in control of our body and able to express ourselves, so that sex can be as pleasing as possible for everyone.

Consent lets someone know that sex (or a particular sexual act) is wanted. It is essential throughout any partnered sexual activity or play.

Talking about what you want to do with someone can be fun, flirtatious and make the mood hotter, and honouring other people’s boundaries ensures everyone feels safe and respected.

Sexual consent is an active agreement where people freely and voluntarily communicate permission for a sexual activity and can withdraw that permission at any time. Sexual consent is a continuous process, which must be communicated without influence from anything or anybody.

The age of sexual consent in the ACT is 16 years.

Read more about consent.

Communicating about the kind of sex you want, your chosen safer sex practices, getting tested and disclosing your STI status with your sexual partners are important parts of a healthy and pleasurable sex life. It’s empowering, sexy and normalises the conversation. By starting these conversations, you might even empower other people to look after their own sexual health!

If you’re on the apps, some of them have useful built-in profile features where you can list your sexual health status, tools and what kind of sex you’re looking for. Using these can be helpful in starting the conversation. Also, consider noting down the contact details of your hook-ups just in case you test positive for an STI and need to tell them later.

Read more about talking about sex and sexual health.

Meeting people through apps and websites can be exciting, but it’s important to look after your safety along the way. Here are a few things to keep in mind when you’re making new connections online:

• Consider using a separate email address or account for any hook-up or dating apps and websites, and review the privacy settings.
• Keep any personal details private, like where you live or work.
• Don’t share images with identifying details (such as your home or vehicle number plate) and be cautious or reconsider sharing pictures with your face, tattoos or other things that could identify you.
• Trust your instincts if something feels wrong. You can block people on digital platforms if you are being harassed or feel unsafe.
• Consider a video chat before you meet in person or before you share any personal details or pictures online.
• Meet in a public place the first time.
• Tell a friend your plans or share your location with them if you’re meeting someone for the first time.
• If you’re hosting someone new for a casual hook-up, put away any mail or other important documents that contain your personal details.
• If you’re visiting somewhere, plan a safe way home and make sure you can leave whenever you want to.

Whether you’re looking for connection, casual fun, or something long-term, you deserve to feel respected, affirmed, and safe online and offline.

Find out more about staying safe online.

Lots of STIs may not show any symptoms. The only way to know for sure if you have an STI is to get tested.

Getting a sexual health test can be quick and simple. Depending on the kinds of sex that you have, it can involve:

• Urine sample
• Swabs (mouth, genitals, anus)
• Blood sample

You can generally self-collect the samples, except for blood.

You can get a sexual health test through your GP, at sexual health clinics and other health centres. We provide free monthly STI tests at our STRIP Clinic.

You can also get free HIV self-test kits 24/7 using the CONNECT vending machine outside our office, or from our reception during business hours. Using the kit is straightforward and there’s a detailed instructional video on the CONNECT website.

Read more about getting tested.

If you have tested positive for an STI, it’s important to let recent sexual partners know so they can get tested too. Your nurse or doctor can provide guidance and information specific to the STI.

Some benefits to telling a sexual partner that you have tested positive include:

• It signals to a partner that you value honesty and communication in the partnership.
• It may help them avoid long-term health impacts that could result from unknowingly living with an STI.
• They can give you support while you seek treatment for the STI.
• It’s the perfect opportunity to talk about how you’re managing your HIV and STI risk together in the future.

If you have an STI that can’t be cured, disclosing your status is a personal decision. It can be challenging but also can be freeing and help you to build stronger relationships.

Read more about disclosing your STI status after testing positive.

Condoms are used to cover a penis, sex toy or other object to prevent STIs and pregnancy. They can be used for lots of different kinds of sex (including oral, vaginal and anal) and are generally easy to use, widely available and cheap (or free!).

They come in all sorts of colours, sizes, materials, textures and flavours: there really is something to suit every occasion and body. Meridian provides free condoms to organisations to make them more accessible across the ACT. Meridian also sells condoms and other safer sex products at competitive prices at our online store.

Read more about condoms.

Internal condoms are designed to be inserted into the vagina or anus to prevent STIs and pregnancy. Internal condoms can be harder to find than external condoms, but they can be found online, in some adult stores and sexual health centres, and purchased from Meridian’s online store.

Read more about internal condoms.

Dental dams are used to cover the surface of different body parts including the anus, vulva/vagina or any area that you want to protect from coming into contact with someone else. They are typically used during oral sex to help prevent STI transmission.

Dams can be purchased from adult stores, online, from some sexual health centres and from Meridian’s online store.

Read more about dams.

Gloves can be used when you are putting an object or finger/s into someone’s body and want to keep both bodies protected. They can help prevent the transmission of STIs and other infections, as well as bacteria movement between body parts (such as from anus to mouth or vagina). Gloves are also helpful if you’re having sex with more than one person and using your hands between the people involved, have exposed cuts/wounds on your hands or have long fingernails.

Nitrile, powder-free, disposable gloves are recommended for sexual activity as they are latex-free.

Read more about gloves.

This may seem like one that we shouldn’t need to say, but it can be really easy to forget!

Wash your hands before and after a sex session, and potentially during it as well.

Keep your nails trimmed, smooth and clean. Clean hands and fingers will lessen the chance of passing on infections or cross-contaminating when moving them between body parts.

You should also wash your hands after handling used condoms or sex toys. Consider using gloves for extra protection or to prevent scratches.

Using lube makes slipping and sliding easier and more comfortable. It can also reduce the likelihood of STI transmission, as less friction means less microtears for infection to occur.

We recommend using lube whenever possible and using as much as you like!

There are different types of lubes available to suit the kinds of sex you’re having. It can be found at supermarkets, chemists, adult stores, some sexual health centres, online and at our online store.

Read more about lube.

PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) is a HIV prevention medication for HIV-negative people. It can be taken daily or on demand (for some people).

When taken as prescribed, PrEP reduces the likelihood of HIV transmission by almost 100%. It only prevents HIV transmission, so other protection methods are still recommended to prevent other STIs.

Read more about PrEP.

PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis) is a month-long course of medication that helps prevent HIV infection after a potential exposure. It must be started as soon as possible after the exposure: ideally within 24 hours and no later than 72 hours (3 days) to be effective.

If you think you have been exposed to HIV in the last 72 hours, start PEP now.

In Canberra, you can access PEP from the emergency departments of Canberra Hospital and North Canberra Hospital, and during business hours at the Canberra Sexual Health Centre.

Read more about PEP.

Doxy-PEP (doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis) is a method of reducing your risk of getting syphilis and chlamydia. It involves taking a dose of doxycycline (a safe, widely-used antibiotic) within 72 hours (3 days) of having sex.

Doxy-PEP is currently recommended for gay and bisexual men, trans women and non-binary people assigned male at birth (AMAB) who are identified as having an increased risk of being impacted by chlamydia or syphilis. It may be a good option if you are:

• having lots of sex or sex with multiple partners in a short window (like on holiday, at a festival or sex party) or having chemsex
• at higher risk of syphilis, such as those who’ve had syphilis or several other STIs in the past year.

It is available with a prescription from a doctor and purchased from a pharmacy. Always follow your doctor’s instructions for use.

Doxy-PEP is not very effective at preventing gonorrhoea and does not prevent HIV transmission.

Read more about doxy-PEP.

You can prevent or reduce the severity of some infections that can be spread during sex by getting vaccinated.

In Australia, we are fortunate enough to have access to some of the world’s leading vaccinations. You can be immunised against hepatitis A, hepatitis B, HPV and mpox.

Find out more about vaccinations for:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Human papillomavirus (HPV)
• Mpox.

Cancer screening is an important part of maintaining our overall health, but some cancers impact genitals and body parts related to sexual activity.

LGBTQ+ people can be at higher risk of some cancers but generally do not receive cancer screenings as often as recommended by medical professionals. This heightened risk and under-screening is not related to identity, but affected by discrimination and stigma in healthcare, barriers to accessing services and information, and other systemic and cultural factors.

Depending on your body and your health history, there are different screenings or self-examinations that you can do to monitor for signs of cancer. Always check with your GP for personalised information, but key screening options to be aware of are:

• Cervical screening is recommended every 5 years for people aged 25 to 74 who have a cervix and have ever had any kind of sexual contact. You can self-collect your cervical screening test or have a healthcare provider collect the sample.
• Breast screening is recommended every 2 years for:
  • cis women
  • trans women using HRT for 5+ years
  • trans and gender-diverse people assigned female at birth who have not had top surgery, from the age of 50.
• Lung screening is recommended for people aged 50 to 70 with at least a 30 pack-year smoking history. You don’t need to have quit smoking first.
• Anal screening (digital ano-rectal exam) is recommended for people living with HIV. The recommended ages to begin regular screening are:
  • 35 years for gay, bi and queer cis men, cis men who have sex with men, and trans women.
  • 45 years for trans men, cis women and heterosexual cis men.
• Bowel screening is recommended every 2 years for every person, regardless of gender or sexuality, from the age of 50.

Other ways to reduce your cancer risk include making changes to your alcohol intake, quitting smoking and vaping and practicing sun safety.

Read more about cancer and LGBTQ+ communities.

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) for HIV are medications used as treatment for people who are living with HIV. ART for HIV is currently available to be taken orally or by injection.

HIV treatments support the health of people living with HIV and that of their sexual partners. They work by reducing the viral load of HIV (the amount of the virus) in a person's body, meaning their overall health, wellbeing and longevity will be maintained.

Taking treatment is a personal decision; to discuss this further you can call (02) 6257 2855 and ask to speak to one of our HIV Peer Support officers.

Decisions about starting or changing treatment and which treatments to take should always be made in consultation with a doctor with expertise in HIV management.

Anyone living in the ACT can access ART for HIV treatment for free from the Canberra Hospital pharmacy.

Read more about HIV support and treatment.

People living with HIV who are on effective ART and have an undetectable viral load cannot pass HIV on to others. This is called undetectable = untransmissible (U=U).

Effective treatment reduces the HIV viral load in semen, blood, anal mucosa and vaginal fluids to undetectable levels. This means there is no risk of someone with an undetectable viral load passing HIV on through sex.

In Australia, 98% of people living with HIV who are on treatment have an undetectable viral load.

Read more about U=U.

Sex toys and prosthetics exist to feel pleasurable, create or enhance different sensations, and to help sex/play be comfortable and enjoyable. During solo or partnered sex, they can be used or worn to create sensations or experiences such as:

• vibration
• suction
• flicking
• rubbing
• restriction
• pinching
• impact
• restraint
• penetration
• euphoria
• comfort
• self-expression.

Sex toys and prosthetics can be made from a range of materials, and some can be designed to replicate or look like body parts.

Sex toys and prosthetics need to be cared for. Cleaning them properly before and after use and storing them correctly will help them last longer and prevent bacteria and STIs from coming into contact with your body/genitals.

Cleaning instructions for your specific toy or prosthetic should come with the product information. Most products can be cleaned with warm water and soap, or a sex toy cleaning product. If your product has a motor (it turns on), check that it’s waterproof before submerging it in water.

When choosing a toy or prosthetic to buy, check what it’s made of! Toys and prosthetics are not well-regulated products and many retail shops could sell products that may not be made from body-safe or long-lasting materials. This means they could break easily, be porous (meaning bacteria can build up on them and be hard to clean) or they could be made from materials that are not body-safe.

Read more about toys and prosthetics.

Aftercare means caring for ourselves and our partners after sex and intimate play. Including aftercare when we have sex supports our emotional, physical and sexual safety.

Aftercare will look different for different people and relationships, but could include:

• cuddling and physical touch
• debriefing about the sex you just had
• exchanging contact details in case someone tests positive for an STI
• drinking water, resting and taking medication to reduce any pain or swelling
• showering or taking a bath
• having a snack.

We recommend thinking about what you generally need and want after a sexual interaction, and after different types of interactions. This can help you share your needs with your partners, and learn about theirs too, so everyone involved can be prepared to support each other.

Feeling connected with our bodies and supporting our general health and wellbeing (however that looks for us individually) can enhance our sexual pleasure and keep us feeling good before, during and after sex. Here are a few tips:

• Be mindful of your body: All bodies are different, and so are our sexual experiences. What feels good and comfortable will vary from person to person and may be influenced by a number of factors, like your frequency and type of sexual activity, alcohol and drug use, injuries, disabilities or health conditions. Pay attention to your capacity, including energy and comfort, to create experiences that are pleasurable and supportive.
• Support your mental health: Sex can bring up all kinds of feelings which may use a lot of mental energy. Check in with yourself and seek support if you need to. See our mental health and wellbeing page for information about where you can get support.
• Hydration: Staying well hydrated keeps our genitals healthier, plus don’t forget to replace the fluids that you sweat out!
• Medication: Sometimes a good session makes us completely lose track of time, so don’t forget to take any regular medications you use. Set a phone alarm if you need to. Some medications may be used before or after sex to make things feel more comfortable, such as pain or anti-inflammatory medication.

The skin and tissue around our genitals are sensitive and need to be looked after to avoid irritation or spreading bacteria.

Here are our tips to take care of your bits:

• Gently wash your genitals and bum every day with warm water. Avoid soaps, body wash, wipes, sprays and products with heavy fragrances.
  • For people with a vulva/vagina: clean your external genitals around your vulva/labia only. Avoid washing or douching internally (in the vagina). The vagina has a delicate environment which regulates itself, so washing internally can cause irritation.
  • Avoid douching your bum/anus too frequently, as it can upset the natural biome.
• Let your genitals breathe by wearing cotton underwear. Avoid wearing synthetic fabrics or wet fabric around your genital region for long periods of time (such as exercise clothes, lingerie or wet swimwear).
• If you’re shaving your pubic hair, always use fresh, clean shavers or razors. Take it slow and be very careful.

Contraception refers to a range of methods used to prevent pregnancy.

It’s important to know your options if you have the type of body that could get pregnant or get someone else pregnant, and you’re having sex that could lead to pregnancy but you want to avoid it.

Contraception can include barrier/physical methods, long- or short-term hormonal/medical options, permanent surgical options and fertility awareness methods. Remember: the only form of contraception that also prevents STI transmission is condoms.

You can find more information in this summary of contraceptive options by SHFPACT.

If you’ve had unprotected sex that could result in pregnancy and want to avoid pregnancy, you can access the emergency contraceptive pill (also known as the 'morning after pill') from pharmacies, walk-in centres and sexual health clinics without a prescription. It must be taken within 3 to 5 days (depending on the type) but is more effective the sooner it is taken.

Copper IUDs can also be used as emergency contraception if inserted within 5 days of unprotected sex. They can then be used for 5 to 10 years as ongoing contraception. However, this procedure must be done by a trained nurse or doctor, so this involves planning appointments and costs.

Read more about emergency contraception.

A pregnancy test is used by a person who can get pregnant to check whether they are pregnant or not. They can be purchased from pharmacies and supermarkets.

A pregnancy test is a small, handheld stick that tests urine for the presence of the hormone human chorionic gonadotropin (or hCG) that is released when someone is pregnant. Each test is different: check the packet and information inside for exact instructions, sensitivity (how soon it will show accurate results) and result times.

If the test says you are pregnant, confirm with a medical professional.

You can find more information about pregnancy options in the ACT at My Pregnancy Options ACT and see maternity options available through Canberra Health Services.

If you are pregnant and don’t want to be, abortion services are available. Abortion is legal in the ACT, with medical and surgical options available at no cost to people who live in the ACT up to 16 weeks gestation.

Read more about abortion in the ACT or find services available nationally at Health Direct Australia.