Taking steps to prevent STIs isn’t just about avoiding infections. It’s also about safeguarding your overall health and relationships. Preventing STI’s
Protects your physical health: Preventing STIs means avoiding complications like infertility, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), or chronic pain.
maintain healthy relationships: Open conversations about prevention build trust and protect both partners.- Contributes to public health: Reducing STI transmission benefits your community by minimising the spread of infections.
maintain healthy relationships: Open conversations about prevention build trust and protect both partners.
Contributes to public health: Reducing STI transmission benefits your community by minimising the spread of infections.Prevention gives you peace of mind, allowing you to focus on enjoying healthy, positive relationships.
How are STIs spread?
Understanding how STIs are transmitted helps you make informed choices about prevention.
Common modes of transmission:
- Unprotected sex: STIs such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhoea, Syphilis and HIV can all be passed on through vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Condoms or dental dams reduce transmission rates, but are never 100% effective.
- Skin-to-skin contact: STIs like Genital Warts, Genital Herpes, Mpox and Syphilis can spread through direct contact with infected skin.
- Sharing needles: STIs such as HIV and Hepatitis B can be transmitted through blood-to-blood contact.
- Mother-to-child transmission: Some STIs, like Syphilis and HIV, can be passed from mother to baby during childbirth or breastfeeding.
Practical Steps to Prevent STIs
Preventing STIs is about adopting habits that protect you and your partner(s). Here are things you can do to reduce your risk of contracting or transmitting an STI.
1. Use Barrier Methods
Barrier protection is one of the most effective ways to prevent STIs.
- Condoms: When used correctly, condoms offer excellent protection against most STIs. However, they are not 100% foolproof, as they can sometimes break or slip off.
- Dental dams: These are thin latex sheets used during oral sex to minimise the risk of transmitting oral STIs.
Always check the expiry date on condoms and use water-based lubricants to prevent breakage. Even if you use barrier methods like condoms, regular STI testing is still strongly recommended. Unfortunately, condoms and barrier methods are not effective against all STIs.
2. Get vaccinated
Vaccines are a powerful tool in STI prevention.
HPV Vaccine
- What it protects against: Human papillomavirus (HPV), which can cause genital warts and various types of cancers (including cervical, anal, and throat cancers).
- Who should get it: In Australia, the HPV vaccine is provided for free to anyone 25 years or younger as part of the National Immunisation Program. Its most effective when given before you become sexually active.
Hepatitis A & B Vaccines
- What they protect against: Hepatitis A and B are viral infections that affect the liver. Hepatitis A is often transmitted through sexual contact or with contaminated food or water, while Hepatitis B is primarily spread through sexual contact, sharing needles or overseas medical, dental and body art procedures, including tattoos.
- Who should get it: The Hepatitis B vaccine is recommended for everyone and is free on the Australian National Immunisation Program for anyone under the age of 20. Hepatitis A vaccine is strongly encouraged for anyone travelling overseas or men who have sex with men.
Meningococcal ACWY Vaccine
- What it protects against: Meningococcal disease is caused by a bacterial infection that can lead to life-threatening conditions like meningitis and bloodstream infections. The ACWY vaccine protects against four strains of meningococcal bacteria (A, C, W, Y). It can also be spread through close contact, including sexual activity.
- Who should get it: Its generally recommended for adolescents, or those at higher risk of infection, including people living in close quarters such as college dorms, backpackers, hostels, festivals (including overseas) or with compromised immune systems. The vaccine is free for children and adolescents on the Australian National Immunisation Program.
Mpox Vaccine
- What it protects against: Mpox (formerly known as monkeypox) is a viral infection that causes fever, rash, and swollen lymph nodes. It can be spread through close contact, including sexual activity.
- Who should get it: The Mpox vaccine is available to people who are at a higher risk of exposure to the virus, including:
- Sexually active people: Gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBMSM), including transgender and gender-diverse people
- Sex workers: Especially those whose clients are at risk of Mpox exposure
- Sexual partners: Of the above groups, including anonymous or intimate contacts
- People living with HIV: If at risk of Mpox exposure, and their partners
- Laboratory personnel: Working with orthopoxviruses
- Healthcare workers: At risk of exposure to patients with Mpox, especially those who will be caring for patients in a sub-Saharan African country
- People who have been in contact with Mpox: Who have not yet received two doses of the vaccine
Vaccination doesn’t just protect you – it also helps reduce the spread of these infections in the community.
3. Regular STI Testing
Testing is one of the best ways to prevent the spread of STIs.
- Why it’s important: Regular testing helps detect infections early, even if you don’t have symptoms.
- How often to test: If you’re sexually active, aim for testing every 6–12 months, or every 3 months if you have multiple partners.
Routine testing ensures peace of mind and allows you to take action if needed.
4. Communicate with Your Partner(s)
Open and honest communication about sexual health builds trust and helps prevent STI transmission.
- Discuss testing: Make testing a shared responsibility in your relationship.
- Share concerns: If you or your partner has symptoms, seek medical advice together.
- Be transparent about results: If you test positive for an STI, inform your partner(s) promptly so they can get tested and treated if necessary.
Talking about sexual health might feel awkward at first, but it’s an essential part of healthy relationships.
Preventative Treatments
In addition to vaccines, there are medical treatments designed to prevent certain sexually transmitted infections (STIs). These preventative options, when used appropriately, can significantly reduce the risk of transmission.
PrEP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PrEP is a daily medication for HIV-negative individuals at high risk of HIV exposure. When taken as prescribed, it reduces the risk of contracting HIV by over 90%. PrEP is most effective when combined with other preventative strategies, such as consistent condom use and regular STI testing.
PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
PEP is an emergency medication taken within 72 hours of potential HIV exposure. It’s a short-term, intensive treatment designed to prevent the virus from establishing itself in the body. For maximum effectiveness, PEP must be started as soon as possible after exposure.
Doxy-PEP (Doxycycline Post-Exposure Prophylaxis)
Doxy-PEP is an emerging preventative approach targeting bacterial STIs, such as gonorrhoea and syphilis. It involves taking a dose of doxycycline shortly after potential exposure to these infections. While promising, this treatment is not yet widely adopted and is subject to ongoing research to determine its long-term effectiveness and impact on antibiotic resistance.
STIs and Alcohol or Drug Use
Alcohol and drug use can lower inhibitions and lead to risky sexual behaviour, such as forgetting to use protection. To stay safe:
- Plan ahead: Keep condoms or dental dams on hand if you’re going out.
- Know your limits: Be mindful of how much you’re drinking or using substances.
- Check in with yourself: If you feel unable to make safe choices, consider taking a step back and focusing on your well-being.
Recognising the Signs of an STI
Preventing the spread of STIs is also about recognising potential symptoms in yourself or your partner. Common signs include:
- unusual discharge.
- painful urination.
- genital sores or rashes.
If you notice anything unusual, stop sexual activity and book an STI test as soon as possible.
How to Talk to Teens About STI Prevention
If you’re a parent or guardian, having open conversations with teenagers about STI prevention is an important part of guiding them towards healthy decision-making.
- Start early: Introduce the topic of sexual health before they become sexually active.
- Use facts: Share accurate, age-appropriate information about STIs and how they are prevented.
- Encourage questions: Create a safe space where they feel comfortable asking anything.
Education is one of the most powerful tools for prevention.
Breaking the Stigma Around STI Prevention
Stigma around sexual health can make people hesitant to talk about STIs or take preventative measures, but there’s no shame in prioritising your health.
- STIs are common: Millions of people are affected every year, and taking steps to prevent them is responsible, not embarrassing.
- Normalising testing: Encouraging open discussions about STI prevention helps reduce stigma and empowers others to take charge of their health.
The more we talk about sexual health openly, the easier it becomes for everyone to access the care they need. Preventing STIs isn’t about fear – it’s about empowerment. By understanding how STIs are spread and taking proactive steps to protect yourself, you’re prioritising your health and well-being and about creating a healthier, more informed community. 
