STI Risk of Sexual Activities
It is important to learn about the risks associated with various sexual behaviours so that you can decide what you feel comfortable doing and what you don't. This section rates the STI risk of many sexual activities. After each activity is a safer sex suggestion.

Abstinence-Friendly Activities
cuddling • massaging • kissing a partner’s body (not their genitals) • using a sex toy alone • masturbating • holding hands • hugging • dry humping • kissing

If you know that you and your partner don't have any STIs because you have both been tested, and you are having sex only with each other then there is no chance of getting an STI. Testing is important!

The following list of sexual activities are coloured based on the risk of getting an STI with that activity:
• VERY LOW RISK of getting an STI
• MEDIUM RISK of getting an STI
• HIGH RISK of getting an STI  

After each activity is a 'Safer Sexy' suggestion to make the activity safer.
Not all people are comfortable with the activities listed. No one has the right to pressure you into an activity you don't want to do. It is your right to say “no” and to say “yes”.French Kissing This means kissing with your mouth somewhat open so that your lips and tongue touch your partner’s lips and tongue. French kissing is considered very low risk for STIs. Herpes is the only STI likely to be picked up with a kiss.
Safer Sexy: Don’t kiss someone while they have a cold sore (Herpes sore), or if they feel one coming on.

Kissing or Touching Breasts or Nipples Rubbing or kissing someone's breasts or nipples is a totally safe activity.
No Safer Sexy needed!

Dry humping Also known as “grinding”, it means rubbing against one another with clothes on – no penetration. The friction created from rubbing can be pleasurable and a completely safe activity if people are wearing a reasonable amount of clothing! STIs like scabies, and pubic lice, and the Herpes virus, can be transmitted if people do this naked. But then it’s not really dry humping anymore is it…
Safer Sexy: Avoid ejaculating if both partners are wearing just underwear.

Fingering, Hand Jobs This means using a hand to stimulate, rub and stroke the penis, vulva or vagina. Heavy petting will get your partner purring and is a safe activity if you are careful about not sharing fluids. If vaginal fluid or, pre-come or semen get shared between partners there can be a risk of STIs or pregnancy. Be careful not to get your partner’s vaginal fluids, semen or pre-ejaculate on your own genitals.
Safer Sexy: Wash hands well with soap and warm water after touching a partner’s genitals.  Trim hangnails so you don’t cut your partner and cover cuts on your fingers with Band-Aids or a latex finger condom. (Cuts are one way STI-infected fluids can get into the body).

Rimming Licking or kissing the anus. The anus is very close to the genitals, so fluids can easily be transferred accidentally. Herpes and some other STIs can be transmitted through anal rimming, as can bacterial infections that aren’t STIs.
Safer Sexy: A dental dam acts as a barrier to help make rimming safer.

Fisting This is when someone puts his or her whole hand inside a partner’s anus or vagina.
Safer Sexy: Latex gloves cover any cuts a person might have on his or her fingers, and water-based lubricant helps reduce friction.

Sharing sex toys When people share sex toys they also share fluids that can contain STIs.
Safer Sexy: Cover the toy with a new condom for each partner, or wash the toy carefully with warm water and mild soap between partners.

Anal sex  Penis-in-anus contact, also known as anal penetration. It is also possible to have anal intercourse using a sex toy. There are many nerve endings in the rectum, as well as the prostate gland for men, and when the penis enters the anus, it can create feelings of pleasure if the person receiving the penetration is aroused and relaxed. STIs can be shared through anal sex, and women who have anal sex with men could get pregnant because openings to the anus and vagina are very close together.
Safer Sexy: Use a condom with lots of water-based or silicone-based lube (the anus doesn’t make much of its own lubrication). The friction of anal sex can weaken a condom, so put on a new one if you’re going for a while. Extra Tough condoms can also be helpful.

Oral sex Licking kissing or sucking on the vulva, testicles or penis. Other terms you may hear to refer to oral sex are a “blow job”, “eating out” or “going down on someone”. People cannot get pregnant from oral sex but you can get some STIs including Herpes, Chlamydia, Syphilis and Gonorrhoea.
Safer Sexy: Use a flavoured condom to cover the penis or a dental dam to cover the vagina and vulva. You can make your own dental dam by using scissors to cut from the base of a condom through its tip.

Vaginal Sex Vaginal sex or “intercourse” is typically thought of as penis-in-vagina contact but it is also possible to have vaginal intercourse using a sex toy. Unprotected vaginal intercourse can lead to pregnancy, and the transmission of STIs for a man or a woman.
Safer Sexy: Use a condom, and additional lubrication to prevent it from breaking. Lube must be water based or silicone based (oils and lotions will break down latex condoms). Stop once in a while to check that the condom hasn’t broken. Change condoms if having sex for a long time.