The fun stuff
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. It can be a...
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)...
While you can’t get pregnant from oral sex, it doesn’t mean that oral sex is a no-risk situation. Oral sex (using your mouth to pleasure someone’s penis, vagina, or anus)...
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...
Chances are you’ve heard about about mpox (previously referred to as monkeypox or MPXV) over the last few months. There’s been some information on the news, but not enough to...
Getting to know your genitals and knowing how to care for them is super important. Not only does it allow you to keep them healthy, it also means that 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...
You may think of syphilis as an infection that affected people back in the days of Henry VIII, but we’re here to tell you that syphilis is not only alive...
Talking about sex in real-life is part of our everyday here at Play Safe. For a lot of people though, especially those new to or experimenting with their sexuality, this...
Hopefully you use them each time you have sex, but just because you get intimate with condoms doesn’t mean you really KNOW them. So, here are some interesting facts about...
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,...
Penile discharge is a watery or thickened fluid that sometimes comes out of the penis. It travels down the middle of the penis to the opening at the head (glans)...
So, you’re thinking about having penetrative sex for the first time? Penetrative sex (aka sexual intercourse) can be an enjoyable way to connect and get closer with someone. It’s healthy...
A fulfilling sex life doesn’t look the same for everyone. Some love the intimacy of an exclusive relationship, others enjoy experimenting with different sexual partners. There’s no ‘right’ way to...
All people with a vagina have vaginal discharge (fluid or semi-solid substance that flows out of the vaginal opening). It’s a way the body maintains a healthy vagina. In fact,...
Nurse Nettie, our resident sexual health expert, is available throughout the year to answer sexual health and relationship questions from young people across NSW. All answers are 100% anonymous (always)...
STI stands for Sexually Transmitted Infection, not disease. That last word makes all the difference because most of the bacteria or viruses passed on via sex are actually infections, not...
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...
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 internal condom (also known as the female condom)? This lesser-known barrier contraceptive gets inserted into...
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...
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 unplanned 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...
Talking about herpes can be hard. Stigma exists. But it’s important to let any new sexual partners know if you’ve been diagnosed with herpes. This allows people to make informed...
1. You can only pass herpes on from the part of the body where you have the infection For example: if you get cold sores on the mouth, you can...
Herpes might be the most misunderstood infections around so let’s start with the facts. Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV) is usually passed on by kissing, oral sex, vaginal sex or anal...
Premature ejaculation (PE) is one of the biggest worries I hear about it, but it’s rarely medical issue. So what is it? PE is just a fancy way of describing...
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...
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...
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 –...
Whether you’re preparing for penetrative sex or you’re just not quite ready to go ‘all the way’; oral sex is a great way to experience and experiment with intimacy. Officially,...
Foreplay is usually a big part of sex – some might even say the best part. What is foreplay? Foreplay builds sexual arousal and pleasure through physical and mental stimulation....
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...
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...
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...
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,...
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...
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...
When compared with tampons or pads, menstrual cups have historically been the less popular choice for period management. However that’s now shifting and there are two big reasons as to...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
We acknowledge the Traditional Custodians of the land on which we live and work and recognise their ongoing connection to land, waters and communities. We pay our respects to Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
