Most STIs are passed between sexual partners through condomless oral, anal or vaginal sex.
Some STIs are passed by skin-to-skin contact.
Using condoms correctly and every time you have sex will reduce your risk of getting an STI.
If you or your partner has any sign of an infection, cuts or sores in the genital area, do not have any form of sex, including oral sex, until you have been tested and treated.
Have an STI test
Using condoms every time you have sex will reduce your risk of contracting an STI.
If you have a new partner, it is a good idea for both of you to have an STI test before having any sex without a condom. You may not have any symptoms, or know you have an STI.
Even when you don't notice any symptoms, you can still pass an STI to a sexual partner, so it is important to be tested. Your partner should also be tested.
If you do test positive for an STI, it is really important that you don’t have sex with your partner before they are tested and treated as you could become infected again.
If you have a new partner, it is a good idea for both of you to have an STI test before having any sex without a condom. You may not have any symptoms, or know you have an STI. Find out more about free home STI testing.
Use a condom
Condoms offer protection against most sexually transmitted infections and HIV if used correctly.
A male condom covers the penis and can be used for oral (mouth to penis), vaginal and anal sex.
A female condom lines the vagina and can be used for vaginal sex.
Where to get free condoms
Use a dental dam
A dental dam is a square of latex which is placed over the vagina or anus during oral sex (mouth to vagina or mouth to anus). You can also make a dental dam by cutting up a condom.
Do not share sex toys
You can reduce the risk of an infection being passed on, by not sharing sex toys.
If you choose to share sex toys, you can reduce the risk of an infection being passed on by:
- washing the sex toy properly between each persons' use
- applying a new condom for each use
Get vaccinated
Vaccinations are available for some infections that can be contracted through sexual transmission. In particular, gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (gbMSM) should be vaccinated against both hepatitis A and B. For more information, see the Vaccinations section of this website.
Use PEP if you may have been exposed to HIV
HIV post exposure prophylaxis (PEP) is a course of HIV medication that aims to prevent HIV infection following a recent exposure to HIV, such as condomless sex or a needle-stick injury with an infected needle.
More information on PEP
Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP)
PrEP is the newest HIV prevention tool available. HIV PrEP is taken before sex to prevent HIV infection. PrEP is best used in combination with other HIV prevention measures.
More information on HIV PrEP
DoxyPEP
DoxyPEP (or dPEP) stands for doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis. Doxycycline is an antibiotic. DoxyPEP is a relatively new way of reducing the chances of acquiring syphilis and chlamydia after condomless sex, including oral sex. For more information on doxyPEP please visit: https://man2man.ie/doxypep/
Gay, bisexual and men who have sex with men (gbMSM)
GbMSM are more at risk for some viral and enteric infections. For more specific information for gbMSM on preventing STIs, see the Man2Man website.
Lesbian, Bisexual & Queer Women (LBQ)
For Lesbian, Bisexual and Queer (LBQ) women, some sexual activities where bodily fluids are exchanged are considered more high risk. Find out more here
