Vulva/Vagina
Penis
Activity:
Often called 'vaginal sex'. You can also rub the vulva against the penis without penetration.
Risks:
If a condom is not used, there's a risk of pregnancy and passing on STI's. Even if the man doesn't ejaculate in to the vagina, these are still the risks because infections and sperm are present in 'pre-come'.
How to make it safe:
Use male or female condoms with water based lubricant. Contraception, such as the pill or the implant, prevent unintended pregnancies occurring, but condoms will prevent both this and STI's.
Object
Activity:
The vulva can be pleasured by using objects against the external clitoris and labia or inside the vagina.
Risks:
Sharing sex toys has risks, including getting and passing on infections. If there are any cuts or sores around the vagina, anus or penis and there's blood, there's an increased risk of passing on hepatitis B, hepatitis C and HIV.
How to make it safe:
Keeping objects clean ensures there is low risk of infections being passed on, or using condoms, changing these when changing partner or orifice
Mouth
Activity:
Often referred to as 'oral sex' or 'cunnilingus'. It is pleasurable for some people to give and received oral sex. You can explore the vulva with the tongue and lips by kissing, sucking and licking the clitoris, labia and vaginal opening.
Risks:
There's a risk of getting or passing on STIs if you're giving or receiving oral sex. The risk increases if either of you has sores or cuts around the mouth or vagina.
This is because viruses and bacteria, which may be present in semen, vaginal fluid or blood, can travel more easily into a partner's body through breaks in the skin.
Generally, the risk of infection is lower when you receive oral sex than when you give someone oral sex. However, it is still possible for STIs to be passed on.
How to make it safe:
Using dental dams over the vulva/vagina
Anus
Activity:
Pushing and rubbing vulva and anus together can be pleasurable for some people. The external clitoris can be stimulated this way.
Risks:
If there are any infections present on the vulva or anus, there is a risk infection.
How to make it safe:
There are no barrier methods to protect in this sort of activity, such a dams or condoms. However, regular STI screening will allow you and your partner to know if you have any infections and can be treated if there are any. This would minimise risk or passing anything on. If there is a viral outbreak, such as warts or herpes, refrain from this activity
Vulva/Vagina
Activity:
Often called 'scissoring' and can be pleasurable to touch, rub and grind vulvas against each other, either clothed or when naked. The external clitorises can touch each other in this position.
Risks:
If there are any infections present on the vulva, there is a risk infection.
How to make it safe:
There are no barrier methods to protect in this sort of activity, such a dams or condoms. However, regular STI screening will allow you and your partner to know if you have any infections and can be treated if there are any. This would minimise risk or passing anything on. If there is a viral outbreak, such as warts or herpes, refrain from this activity
Hands and Fingers
Activity:
You can touch, stroke or insert fingers (s) into the vagina (masturbation). The external clitoris is a very sensitive part of the vulva and can be pleasured by direct touch.
Risks:
There is a risk of pregnancy with mutual masturbation, if sperm is transferred to a vagina from someone's hands or fingers. There is also a risk of catching an STI with mutual masturbation between genitals, if one partner is infected.
How to make it safe:
Make sure hands are cleaned, before and after. Can use lubricant and latex gloves, especially if one partner has warts on their hands