The fun stuff
Did you know that condoms are the only form of contraception that protect against both unplanned pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs)? When they’re used correctly they’re over 98% effective,...
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...
When people hear ‘safe sex’ they usually think about protecting themselves and partners from unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmissible infections (STIs). But we reckon that safe sex means much more...
Bleeding from inside the vagina after penetrative sex is called post-coital bleeding, and is more common than you might think. There are plenty of reasons why it might be happening...
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...
Deciding to have sex for the first time is a big decision. Being prepared is one of the best things that you can do to make sure it’s safe and...
Everyone knows what a condom is, but hands up if you’ve ever heard of the female condom (also known as the internal condom)? This lesser-known barrier contraceptive gets inserted into...
The internet has made porn more accessible than ever before. One quick search and you have a host of pornographic material – no matter your taste – available within seconds....
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,...
What is erectile dysfunction (ED)? Erectile dysfunction (ED) is when your penis usually or always won’t get fully erect (hard) or won’t stay erect when you want it to.Everyone with...
Condoms. They’re the only contraception that protects against both unwanted pregnancy and STIs, yet for some reason they often get a bad rap. From being seen as an interruption, to...
Pre-cum (or pre-ejaculate if we want to use the fancy proper name), is fluid that’s released from the penis during foreplay or sex. It usually happens during arousal, and a...
When we speak about someone else, it’s common to use pronouns to talk about them. She, he, they, etc. But what if the pronoun you use doesn’t reflect who they...
Sex is great. But also kinda confusing sometimes. What risks are there for different kinds of sex? And how do you stay safe and take control of your sexual health?...
Condoms are the only form of contraception that protect against STIs and unwanted pregnancy. Although most people have no problems using condoms, a small proportion of people can be allergic...
When someone chooses to be in a monogamous relationship, they might start thinking about stopping the use of condoms during sex. It might be for reasons of trust, lust, or...
Technology has changed every part of the world we live in; from the way we listen to music to the way we date. But we want to know; can technology...
Did you know that condoms are the only form of contraception that protects against both STIs and pregnancy? But for some reason, not everyone wants to use one when they’re...
Even though condoms are literally the only way to protect yourself from STIs and pregnancy during sex, for some reason some people still want to avoid using them. From ‘it...
Turtleneck, penis beanie, magician’s cloak – the foreskin seems to bear the brunt of a lot of ridicule. People either love them or hate them, but either way you should...
YouTube is the second most visited website in the world and is packed with content that tackles every subject imaginable – from sex and sexual health, to relationships, body positivity...
The question ‘What’s the difference between STIs and STDs?’ is one we hear all the time here at Play Safe. STI, the commonly used term here in Australia – stands...
There are so many online dating sites to choose from today, and more and more people are finding relationships and hookups online. But, navigating the world of online dating isn’t...
Run by our team of volunteer moderators (mods), the Play Safe forum is packed full of topics, threads and conversations from people just like you. Covering everything from sexual health...
Sex on your period will undoubtedly be messy, but can also be enjoyable. In fact, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with having sex during this time. But… there’s a few things...
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...
Getting an STI test is a normal part of a healthy and confident sex life, but sometimes it can feel daunting or confusing. But have no fear because we’re here...
While you can’t get pregnant from oral sex, it doesn’t mean that oral sex is a no-risk situation. Oral sex (that means using your mouth to pleasure someone’s penis, vagina,...
Sexual health isn’t just about STIs. It’s also about feeling safe in your own body, being able to experience pleasure, and being confident to make decisions that are right for...
Who doesn’t love a festival? The music, the vibes, the people. The free STI testing (yep, that’s a thing). Whether it’s a day festival or a three-day camping extravaganza we’ve...
The 14th February isn’t just Valentine’s Day. It’s National Condom Day here in Australia. To celebrate, we share seven reasons why we believe in no glove, no love. 1). Condoms...
Remember those awkward Sex Ed lessons? We do. Here is what we wish we’d learnt instead. You don’t need to orgasm Orgasms are great, but aren’t the goal of sex....
Loving your body and understanding how to have a healthy and confident sex life is so important. Luckily, Australia has plenty of incredible women who are driving change in the...
Did you know that condoms are the only form of contraception that protect against both pregnancy and STIs? They come in lots of different shapes, sizes and flavours, meaning there’s...
With summer fast approaching, and Schoolies around the corner it’s easily going to be one of the most exciting times of your life and with excitement comes new experiences. Some...
Want to ask your partner to get an STI test? Or let someone know you’ve got an STI? Talking about STIs isn’t always easy – here’s some advice to make...
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 –...
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...
69-er, blow job, giving head, going down, peach eating. Yep, we’re talking oral sex. The official names are ‘cunnilingus’ (for vaginas) or ‘fellatio’ (for penises). But let’s just stick to...
Ever heard the phrase “popping your cherry”? It’s slang for losing your virginity and refers to the tearing (stretching open) or “popping” of the hymen during vaginal sex (penis-in-vagina intercourse)....
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...
Sending sexy pics can be fun, but once a picture is sent it’s out there for all to (potentially) see. It doesn’t take long to screenshot a Snapchat and send...
Today, 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...
The song is so right. If we’re having sex – we want to have amazing sex, whether it’s with a long-term partner or a casual fling. Talking about sex, what...
Sex toys can bring extra fun to masturbating and sex. They’re not just for using alone – they’re also a lot of fun to use with someone else too. Sex...
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...
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...
Before having sex, it’s important you have your partner’s consent. Here’s the who, what, when, where, how, and why of consent: What is consent? Consent means to agree to do...
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...
Women who have sex with women are diverse. And sex between women is just as diverse. The risk of getting an STI or HIV depends on what kind of sex...
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...
Whether you expected it or not, finding out you are pregnant can be a shock. You are probably finding that you will go through a whole range of feelings. Whatever...
It seems from your questions and emails that many of you are interested in the Combined Oral Contraceptive Pill, or “the Pill”. The Pill is a small tablet that a...
I don’t feel sexually attracted to anyone. What’s wrong with me? Nothing! Some people are attracted to boys, some to girls, and some to both and/or other genders. But some...
Have you just started our ‘Have I got an STI?’ quiz but you’re not sure if the questions apply to you? That’s because sex isn’t quite as simple as it...
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...
Talk First – how to talk about sex Whether you’re having sex for the first time or you’re about to sleep with a new partner, talking about sex isn’t always...
Forget ‘going to the gym’, or ‘giving up chocolate’. How about a new year’s resolution that’s actually fun? Here are our top 5 resolutions for a healthy and better sex...
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...
The most epic week of your life has arrived. You have just finished the HSC and you’re ready to let your hair down on Schoolies! But before your trip starts,...
Premature ejaculation just means “coming too fast”. But what is too fast? Sometimes movies and TV shows make premature ejaculation out to be a big deal, but really it’s not...
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,...
Let’s talk about the big O – Orgasms! What is an orgasm? Having an orgasm or “coming” is what happens when you hit your sexual climax. It’s an intense feeling...
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...
Have you ever been in the situation where you are getting hot with a guy and then he drops the line “I can’t find a condom” while fumbling around in...
These days condoms are easy to find – they’re sold in supermarkets, chemists and convenience stores. You can even get condoms for free at some youth services, family planning services,...
Grindr, Tinder, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat… dating apps and social media platforms have made it easier than ever to meet new people. As with traditional dating, you want to keep...
So what is Viral Hepatitis? Hepatitis is a viral illness that makes the liver sick. The three most common types are: A, B and C. Because of the job the...
A Youth Health WHAT? What is a Youth Health Service? And what should you expect when you visit one? A Youth Health Service is a FREE, SAFE, & CONFIDENTIAL place...
Schoolies will involve a lot of “first times” for many students. So we want to ensure every experience is awesome but safe. Here are 7 things you need to think...
If you’re not happy with using pads or tampons during your period anymore, it may be worth trying out a menstrual cup. What is a menstrual cup? Also known as...
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...
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...
Making an appointment and visiting a medical centre or sexual health clinic can be overwhelming. Just like anyone else, young people under 18 years of age have the right 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...
Au Naturel’, ‘Brazilian’, and anything in between. It’s totally up to you on how you choose to style or groom your pubic hair (pubes). How do you remove pubic hair?...
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...
Long-acting reversible contraception or LARC, are contraceptive methods that last a long time, but aren’t permanent. This means you can stop the contraceptive method and plan for a baby if...
We’re all told time and time again to use condoms to reduce the chance of pregnancy and STIs. But it’s not very often we’re told how they work. Body fluids...
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...
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...
No matter how often guys hear the expression ‘size doesn’t matter’, chances are they’ve, at some stage, worried about the size, shape, look, and ability of their penis. Here are...
There’s a lot of confusion about what the vagina ‘should’ look, feel or smell like. So, here are some simple facts (vagina 101) to clear the rumours. The vagina is...
Jugs, sweater stretchers, airbags, tits, hooters, lung protectors, bongos, knockers, melons, gazongas, frost detectors, honkers, fun bags, boobs, bazookas, boobies… BREASTS! Young women often worry about their breasts. Are they...
It’s a question that everybody asks themselves from time to time. Truth is there are so many types of normal that two people can be completely different, but still be...
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...
Bottom, ring, anus, butt or arse… Whether male or female we all have one! And just like our genitals, our anus is very sensitive and can be part of sex....
Talking with your friends and supportive adults, and visiting websites such as Play Safe can help you make healthy choices about how to protect yourself if you’re sexually active. It’s...
Aunty Flo, rags, blob, shark week, have the painters in, closed for business, being a girl, opening the flood gates, the red river, leak week, that time of the month…...
Here are some facts about condoms that you probably didn’t know… Condoms aren’t always made of latex Some of the first condoms ever used were made of animal guts. True!...
Heaps of young people ask me if being attracted to someone who is the same sex makes them gay. So I asked Terence Humphries from Twenty10 incorporating GLCS NSW (Gay...
As a sexual health nurse, a lot of people tell me they wish they could have more sex, more often… But without getting an STI or becoming pregnant. Sound appealing?...
SEX. It’s amazing how such a small word can seem so huge. Sex can make us feel curious and excited. It can also make us nervous, embarrassed, and clueless....
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...
