What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
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 […]
World AIDS Day Ever wondered why you see red ribbons everywhere in early December? Well, it’s because of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st of December each year and is all about showing support for people living with HIV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing […]
What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
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 […]
World AIDS Day Ever wondered why you see red ribbons everywhere in early December? Well, it’s because of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st of December each year and is all about showing support for people living with HIV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing […]
What is contraception? Contraception, also sometimes referred to as ‘birth control’, is something people can use when they want to have sex that can result in pregnancy, but do not want to become pregnant or have a baby. Understanding contraception and figuring out the best contraceptive method for you is […]
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.
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 […]
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 […]
Exploring the benefits and purpose of a dental dam Dental dams may not be trending across social media but could this lesser-known barrier method be a good option for you? What is a dental dam? A dental dam is a thin, stretchy piece of latex or polyurethane that can be […]
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 […]
Sydney WorldPride 2023 is here! The biggest LGBTQIA+ pride event of the year is in Australia and we couldn’t be more excited!
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.
Want to celebrate SEXtember but not sure where to start? Read this!
Get to know the humble and heroic condom…the best friend of safe sex.
Penile discharge can be concerning. While it’s not always something you need to worry about, it’s good to be able to distinguish between ‘normal’ discharge-like fluids and ones that could indicate something else.
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…
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 […]
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.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a sexually transmissible infection (STI), you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed, worried or unsure about what’s next. It might seem scary but getting an STI is not the end of the world. In fact, 4 million people in Australia will get an STI at […]
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 […]
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.
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.
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 […]
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 […]
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.
What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
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 […]
World AIDS Day Ever wondered why you see red ribbons everywhere in early December? Well, it’s because of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st of December each year and is all about showing support for people living with HIV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing […]
What is contraception? Contraception, also sometimes referred to as ‘birth control’, is something people can use when they want to have sex that can result in pregnancy, but do not want to become pregnant or have a baby. Understanding contraception and figuring out the best contraceptive method for you is […]
What is STI testing? STI testing is the process of running medical tests to check for any sexually transmitted infections (STIs). It is quick, easy, and confidential. Most STI tests only require a blood test and either a self-collected swab or a urine sample. Why is STI testing important? […]
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 […]
World AIDS Day Ever wondered why you see red ribbons everywhere in early December? Well, it’s because of World AIDS Day. World AIDS Day takes place on the 1st of December each year and is all about showing support for people living with HIV, raising awareness about HIV prevention, testing […]
What is contraception? Contraception, also sometimes referred to as ‘birth control’, is something people can use when they want to have sex that can result in pregnancy, but do not want to become pregnant or have a baby. Understanding contraception and figuring out the best contraceptive method for you is […]
Exploring the benefits and purpose of a dental dam Dental dams may not be trending across social media but could this lesser-known barrier method be a good option for you? What is a dental dam? A dental dam is a thin, stretchy piece of latex or polyurethane that can be […]
If you’ve been diagnosed with a sexually transmissible infection (STI), you might be feeling a bit overwhelmed, worried or unsure about what’s next. It might seem scary but getting an STI is not the end of the world. In fact, 4 million people in Australia will get an STI at […]
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 […]