Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.
We’re talking about sexual activity that involves your butt. Anal play can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender or orientation and can be: Putting fingers or a tongue (rimming) around/inside someone’s butt Putting a dildo or other sex toy inside someone’s butt Putting a penis inside someone’s butt There […]
Whether you love it or hate it, if you’re considering removing your pubic hair it’s important that you go about it in the safest way possible.
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
With consent education becoming mandatory for schools in NSW and VIC, we thought it would be worth revisiting sexual education as a whole. Whether you graduated in the early 00’s, or you’re still riding the school bus — sex education has come a long way in the last decade (and […]
We’re talking about sexual activity that involves your butt. Anal play can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender or orientation and can be: Putting fingers or a tongue (rimming) around/inside someone’s butt Putting a dildo or other sex toy inside someone’s butt Putting a penis inside someone’s butt There […]
Sydney WorldPride 2023 is here! The biggest LGBTQIA+ pride event of the year is in Australia and we couldn’t be more excited!
It’s Valentine’s Day National Condom Day! It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day and National Condom Day fall on the same day… but in terms of which one we’re celebrating, well that’s a no brainer. Here at Play Safe, we’ll take any excuse to celebrate condoms, but today, on National Condom […]
The past five years have seen a concerning increase in the cases of syphilis across NSW. So here’s everything you need to know about who’s at risk, how to get tested and what to do if you have it.
Want to celebrate SEXtember but not sure where to start? Read this!
Your first time having sex can be a bit of an emotional roller coaster and some strange things may happen with your body too – most of the time, it’s nothing to be concerned about. So if you’re thinking about moving on to the next step, let’s help you prepare.
Enjoying a healthy and safe sex life is all about open communication and overcoming ‘problems’ together. So, uncomfortable conversations and ‘awkward moments’ are inevitable, in fact, they’re totally healthy and here’s why…
Nurse Nettie is our sexual health professional, helping you navigate all your sexy (or not so sexy) queries. She is starting the year off by revealing the most commonly asked questions of 2021…
Consent and coersion, it’s important to understand the difference to have a healthy and enjoyable sex life.
Can internet relationships work? There’s no denying that internet dating is a great way to meet new people but it’s important to follow a few golden rules to stay safe.
When used correctly condoms are over 98% effective, but it’s easy to make mistakes that could result in condoms breaking during sex.
By understanding the risks associated with sex – and doing what you can do to minimise them – you can protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and take control of your sexual health.
Here are our 4 C’s of safe sex – Consent, Condoms, Contraception, and Communication. Follow these four golden rules and you’ll have safe – and great – sex, every time.
We spoke to Consent Labs on the topic of consensual sexual encounters, and here’s what they had to say about how it all works… Talking about sexual consent, and actually putting it into action, can seem scary. We’re going to break it down and give you some practical tips to […]
Deciding to have sex for the first time is a big decision. Making sure you’re prepared is one of the best things that you can do to make sure that your first time is safe and fun. In this article, we explore what you need to think about when preparing to have sex for the first time.
Everyone knows what a condom is, but hands up if you’ve ever heard of the internal condom (also known as the female condom)? This lesser-known barrier contraceptive gets inserted into the vagina or anus before sex. Just like the condom you’re probably already familiar with, the internal condom protects against […]
Condoms are the only form of contraception that protect against STIs and unplanned pregnancy. Although most people have no problems using condoms, a small proportion of people can be allergic to materials they’re made from. Here’s what to do if you think you might be one of them. An allergic […]
The Emergency Contraceptive Pill (ECP) AKA ‘The Morning After Pill’ can be taken to reduce the risk of pregnancy after unprotected sex. That means, if you’ve had sex and the condom broke or you didn’t use a condom and aren’t using another form of reliable birth control, the ECP is […]
Lubricant, or lube, increases pleasure for girls and guys, during sex, making sex more comfortable and enjoyable. Lube is used to decrease friction, which means sex with lube won’t be dry and uncomfortable. There are three main types of lube: Water-based lube Water-based lubes are the most common. They are slippery […]
By understanding the risks associated with sex – and doing what you can do to minimise them – you can protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and take control of your sexual health.
Although it’s more common for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to be passed on during vaginal and anal sex, it is possible during oral sex too. Yep! You heard that right.
Women who have sex with women are wonderfully diverse. And sex between women is just as diverse. The risk of getting an STI or HIV depends on what kind of sex you have & who you have it with. So here are five top safe sex tips for sex between […]
Chances are you’ve heard of mpox (previously referred to as monkeypox or MPXV) in the news in recent months but there is a lot of misinformation out there, so we are here to set the record straight and bring you up to speed.
The past five years have seen a concerning increase in the cases of syphilis across NSW. So here’s everything you need to know about who’s at risk, how to get tested and what to do if you have it.
In our latest guest blog, Amy from Unleashed Grad Trips reminds us about the importance of getting an STI test after last year’s schoolies’ fun. Now that the New Year has sprung and the post schoolies depression has seriously kicked in, it’s time to reminisce on all the great memories […]
No one likes to experience pain – especially in the penis! Let’s look at some of the reasons why you can feel pain in your penis, and the solutions for it. STIs can be a cause of genital pain. Chlamydia and gonorrhoea can cause discharge (pus that leaks out of […]
It’s pretty easy to have a freak out when you find a strange lump or bump on or around your genitals. Luckily most of them harmless but it’s better to make sure. Are you overworking your genitals? The most common cause of lumps and bumps down there are: Washing Genitals […]
Vaginal pain during sex is more common than you might think. Here, we discuss the different causes of vaginal pain during sex, how you can address it with your partner, and how to know when it’s time to see a doctor. NON-MEDICAL CAUSES FOR VAGINAL PAIN DURING SEX Rough sex […]
Let’s talk about Pubic Lice, or Crabs. What are Pubic Lice? Pubic lice are tiny insects that generally live on the pubic hair around the genitals. They can sometimes attach to chest, underarm or other body hair, but they are not the same as head lice. They are spread through […]
What’s World AIDS Day? Held worldwide on 1st December each year, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for everyone to: Remember those who lost their lives to HIV and AIDS Show support for people living with HIV Address HIV-related stigma that’s still present in Australia You CANNOT catch HIV through social contact. What’s HIV-related stigma? HIV-related stigma refers to […]
It can often make women feel embarrassed, miserable and even dirty. But thrush, also called Candidiasis, is more common than you think! It happens in around 50% of women at least once in their lifetime. What is it? Thrush is an overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast in the vagina called […]
Hey, Nurse Nettie here for a quick chat about gonorrhoea or “Gono” for short. I’ve even heard it called the “Clap” (no round of applause please!). Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by bacteria called Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. What a word! Just know that anyone can catch gonorrhoea by having oral, vaginal, […]
What’s normal? For guys, the urethra runs through the middle of the penis to the opening at the head of the penis (glans), and carries urine (pee) during urination or semen (cum) during ejaculation. Penile discharge is not urine, but a watery or thickened fluid that sometimes comes out of […]
What’s normal and not normal? All women have some vaginal discharge (fluid or semisolid substance that flows out of the vaginal opening). It’s a way the body maintains a healthy vagina. Vaginal discharge is part of the vagina’s inbuilt self-cleaning system. Bacteria that are normally found in the vagina create […]
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types: HSV 1 (usually known as cold sores) and HSV 2 (usually known as genital herpes). It’s really common! In fact, 1 in 8 Australian adults aged over 25 years have HSV 2, and 7 out of […]
I’ve been getting questions lately from people worried about lumps and bumps on and around their genitals (penis, vagina, and anal area). To put you all at ease I asked a good colleague, Dr Chris Bourne, a Staff Specialist at Sydney Sexual Health Centre, to answer all your questions. Over […]
Booking an STI test can seem a little daunting – especially if it’s your first time. But it’s a lot easier than you think, and nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about.
Even though it’s a normal part of a healthy and enjoyable sex life, getting an STI test can sometimes feel daunting. To show that there’s really nothing to worry about, we sat down with Melissa* from Sydney to talk about her first-hand experience of getting tested. Want to see if […]
Get up to speed on Australia’s Sexual Health with Dr Skye McGregor and find out what happened to STI rates during COVID-19. STIs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis, have been on the rise in Australia in recent years. But what happened to STI rates during COVID-19, when much of the […]
Have you ever visited the Play Safe forum? It’s packed full of conversations on all things sexual health from young people across NSW. One of the topics they’ve been tackling recently is tips for getting an STI test. Here, we round up their advice. 1. Try to relax “Remember that […]
Getting an STI test is a normal part of a healthy and confident sex life, but sometimes it can feel daunting or confusing.
Did you know that the types of STI tests you need differ depending on the type of sex you’re having? There are a few different types of STI tests – urine tests, vaginal swabs, throat swabs, rectal swabs and blood tests. Each one has a different purpose. In Australia, a […]
In our latest guest blog, Amy from Unleashed Grad Trips reminds us about the importance of getting an STI test after last year’s schoolies’ fun. Now that the New Year has sprung and the post schoolies depression has seriously kicked in, it’s time to reminisce on all the great memories […]
So you’ve just had sex, but the condom has disappeared? No need to freak out, here are a few steps you can take. Find the condom The first thing you should do is try to get the lost condom out yourself. If you were having PIV (penis-in-vagina) sex, it might […]
Want a session you’ll never forget? 1. Talk Talking about sex, makes the actual sex better. Share what you like and don’t like. 2. Laugh Let’s face it. Sex has its funny moments. Ever bumped your head? Fanny farted? Yep. There’s only one response. You know it. 3. Get tested […]
Nurse Nettie is a sexual health nurse who has heaps of experience. She’s the perfect person to give you the very best advice for taking care of yourself and playing safe when it comes to sex. You can ask Nurse Nettie a question here. And trust us, no question is […]
Vaginal pain during sex is more common than you might think. Here, we discuss the different causes of vaginal pain during sex, how you can address it with your partner, and how to know when it’s time to see a doctor. NON-MEDICAL CAUSES FOR VAGINAL PAIN DURING SEX Rough sex […]
Taking the test… By getting tested for an STI you’re showing that you care about your health and wellbeing. It gives you a huge advantage and is the responsible thing to do. The good news is that most STIs can be easily treated so don’t stress. So you see the […]
Let’s talk about Pubic Lice, or Crabs. What are Pubic Lice? Pubic lice are tiny insects that generally live on the pubic hair around the genitals. They can sometimes attach to chest, underarm or other body hair, but they are not the same as head lice. They are spread through […]
What’s World AIDS Day? Held worldwide on 1st December each year, World AIDS Day provides an opportunity for everyone to: Remember those who lost their lives to HIV and AIDS Show support for people living with HIV Address HIV-related stigma that’s still present in Australia You CANNOT catch HIV through social contact. What’s HIV-related stigma? HIV-related stigma refers to […]
It can often make women feel embarrassed, miserable and even dirty. But thrush, also called Candidiasis, is more common than you think! It happens in around 50% of women at least once in their lifetime. What is it? Thrush is an overgrowth of naturally occurring yeast in the vagina called […]
Hey, Nurse Nettie here for a quick chat about gonorrhoea or “Gono” for short. I’ve even heard it called the “Clap” (no round of applause please!). Gonorrhoea is an STI caused by bacteria called Neisseria Gonorrhoeae. What a word! Just know that anyone can catch gonorrhoea by having oral, vaginal, […]
What’s normal? For guys, the urethra runs through the middle of the penis to the opening at the head of the penis (glans), and carries urine (pee) during urination or semen (cum) during ejaculation. Penile discharge is not urine, but a watery or thickened fluid that sometimes comes out of […]
What’s normal and not normal? All women have some vaginal discharge (fluid or semisolid substance that flows out of the vaginal opening). It’s a way the body maintains a healthy vagina. Vaginal discharge is part of the vagina’s inbuilt self-cleaning system. Bacteria that are normally found in the vagina create […]
Herpes is caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV). There are two types: HSV 1 (usually known as cold sores) and HSV 2 (usually known as genital herpes). It’s really common! In fact, 1 in 8 Australian adults aged over 25 years have HSV 2, and 7 out of […]
I’ve been getting questions lately from people worried about lumps and bumps on and around their genitals (penis, vagina, and anal area). To put you all at ease I asked a good colleague, Dr Chris Bourne, a Staff Specialist at Sydney Sexual Health Centre, to answer all your questions. Over […]
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.
We’re talking about sexual activity that involves your butt. Anal play can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender or orientation and can be: Putting fingers or a tongue (rimming) around/inside someone’s butt Putting a dildo or other sex toy inside someone’s butt Putting a penis inside someone’s butt There […]
Have you ever been having sex and noticed that things were getting a bit…dry? It happens to the best of us and there’s a super easy solution. ENTER: lube. Honestly, lube does not get the love and attention it deserves. Not only can lube make sex feel more comfortable, but […]
Does the thought of talking to your doctor about sexual health give you butterflies or send a shiver down your spine?
Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Here’s our top tips to make chatting to your doctor about sex a whole lot easier.
We’re talking about sexual activity that involves your butt. Anal play can be enjoyed by anyone of any gender or orientation and can be: Putting fingers or a tongue (rimming) around/inside someone’s butt Putting a dildo or other sex toy inside someone’s butt Putting a penis inside someone’s butt There […]
Although it’s more common for sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to be passed on during vaginal and anal sex, it is possible during oral sex too. Yep! You heard that right.
Women who have sex with women are wonderfully diverse. And sex between women is just as diverse. The risk of getting an STI or HIV depends on what kind of sex you have & who you have it with. So here are five top safe sex tips for sex between […]
Sydney WorldPride 2023 is here! The biggest LGBTQIA+ pride event of the year is in Australia and we couldn’t be more excited!
It’s Valentine’s Day National Condom Day! It’s no coincidence that Valentine’s Day and National Condom Day fall on the same day… but in terms of which one we’re celebrating, well that’s a no brainer. Here at Play Safe, we’ll take any excuse to celebrate condoms, but today, on National Condom […]
Chances are you’ve heard of mpox (previously referred to as monkeypox or MPXV) in the news in recent months but there is a lot of misinformation out there, so we are here to set the record straight and bring you up to speed.
The past five years have seen a concerning increase in the cases of syphilis across NSW. So here’s everything you need to know about who’s at risk, how to get tested and what to do if you have it.
The past five years have seen a concerning increase in the cases of syphilis across NSW. So here’s everything you need to know about who’s at risk, how to get tested and what to do if you have it.
Get up to speed on Australia’s Sexual Health with Dr Skye McGregor and find out what happened to STI rates during COVID-19. STIs like Chlamydia, Gonorrhea and Syphilis, have been on the rise in Australia in recent years. But what happened to STI rates during COVID-19, when much of the […]