Key points
- Discuss STI status before sexual contact
- Use barriers appropriately
- Get tested regularly
- Some BDSM activities increase STI risk
- Never share toys without barriers or cleaning
In detail
- Barrier methods: Condoms, dental dams, gloves for penetration or genital contact
- Testing: Regular STI screening, share results with partners, know your status
- Higher-risk activities: Impact play that breaks the skin, sharing toys, fluid contact
- Toy sharing: Never without thorough cleaning or barriers, porous toys can't be fully cleaned
- Blood play: Highest risk for blood-borne infections, extensive precautions needed
- PrEP and PEP: HIV prevention options to discuss with a doctor
- Communication: Be honest about status, risk factors, and testing frequency
Warnings
- Some STIs transmit through skin contact
- Blood contact carries a risk of HIV and hepatitis B and C
- Sharing toys is like sharing bodily fluids
- Not all STIs have visible symptoms
- Tests may not show a positive result until some time after exposure (the window period)
- Some STIs are incurable
Resources and next steps
- Free or low-cost STI testing at public sexual health clinics
- At-home testing kits, where available
- Talk to a doctor about PrEP if you are at higher risk
- Use toy-specific barriers
- Learn about STI transmission methods
- A sex-positive, kink-aware doctor