Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Using protection

Try to talk about using protection ahead of time

It's easier if you can discuss protection while you're not caught up in a passionate moment. That way, it won't feel like so much of an interruption and when you do have sex you'll both know what each other wants.

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Should we always use protection?

Unless you've both been tested, the results were negative and you're positive neither of you have had sex with anyone else since, you should use protection for all vaginal, oral or anal sex.

Find out more about the risks of various activities with our risk-o-meter.

Otherwise, you should only engage in safer alternatives.

Some people may take offence at talk of using protection, saying you should 'trust each other' or that 'they're clean'. If you respect each other, you should both want to cut the risks as far as possible.

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How to get the conversation started

Talking about condoms or other protection can be quite saucy!

Simply saying "I want to use a condom" is one way to do it but might seem a bit abrupt.

Try getting things moving in the right direction by saying:

• "So, how quick can you put a condom on?"
• "Have you seen my condoms? Sure they're here somewhere ..."
• "What's your favourite flavour then?"
• "Have you tried ribbed ones?"

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If they don't want to use protection

There's no reason to put your health at risk because of someone else's reluctance to use protection.

Find out more in our section on safer sex alternatives.

If they're still pressuring you to have unsafe sex, you should ask yourself whether you should be with this person at all.

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