Essential information at your fingertips
The original—and still essential—tool of safER sex
| Type | Protects Against Pregnancy | Protects Against HIV/STIs | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Latex Most Common | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Most affordable & widely available. Not for people with latex allergy. |
| Polyurethane | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Good alternative for latex-sensitive users. Thinner feel. |
| Nitrile | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Strong, non-latex option. Works well for internal condoms. |
| Lambskin Not Recommended | ✅ Yes | ❌ No | Only prevents pregnancy. Porous material allows viruses to pass. |
| Polypropylene | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | Soft, stretchy, latex-free. Popular newer option. |
~98% with perfect use | ~85% with typical use
The difference? Proper storage, correct usage, and consistent use every time.
Your best friend in safER sex
| Type | Condom-Safe | Toy-Safe | Best Use | Cautions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Water-based Universal | ✅ Yes | ✅ Yes | General use, vaginal or anal sex | Dries quickly, may need reapplication |
| Silicone-based | ✅ Yes | ❌ No (silicone toys) | Long-lasting, anal sex, shower play | Can damage silicone toys |
| Oil-based Warning | ❌ No (latex) | ❌ No | Massage, external play only | Breaks latex condoms, hard to clean |
| Hybrid (water + silicone) | ✅ Yes | ⚠️ Some | Balanced feel, longer-lasting | Check labels for toy compatibility |
If you're using a latex condom, stick to water- or silicone-based lube.
NEVER use oil-based products like Vaseline, baby oil, or cooking oil—they can compromise the integrity of the condom in seconds.
Prevention in a pill (or shot)
| Form | When Protection Begins | Dosing | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily pill (oral) | 7 days for anal sex 21 days for vaginal sex |
1 pill per day | Requires consistent daily use |
| On-demand (2-1-1 dosing, oral) | 2–24 hours before sex | 2 pills before, 1 pill 24hrs later, 1 pill 48hrs later | CDC recommended for cisgender MSM (not FDA approved for all groups) |
| Injectable (Apretude) Long-acting | Protective within 7 days | Injection every 2 months | Great for those who struggle with daily pills |
| Twice-Yearly (Yeztugo/lenacapavir) New 2025 | After first dose (full protection in 7 days) | Injection every 6 months Twice a year |
FDA-approved 2025; ideal for less frequent dosing |
Important: PrEP only protects against HIV. It does NOT protect against other STIs (like syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or HPV) or prevent pregnancy.
For comprehensive safER sex, PrEP is best used in combination with condoms and regular STI testing.
Immunity unlocked: build your shield today
| Vaccine | Protects Against | Who Should Get It | Doses | Key Takeaway |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| HPV (Gardasil 9) | ~90% of HPV-related cancers (cervical, anal, oral) + genital warts | Sexually active up to age 26 (catch-up). Ages 27–45: discuss with doctor | Usually 1–3 shots | Cancer prevention in a few quick shots |
| Hepatitis B | Serious liver infection spread by sex or blood | Adults 19–59 (strongly recommended). 60+: if at risk | 2–4 shots | Lifelong liver protection |
| Mpox (Jynneos) | Mpox (monkeypox) – spreads through close skin contact | Higher-risk: MSM, trans/nonbinary, multiple partners, recent STI | 2 shots, 28 days apart | Outbreak shield for close-contact play |
| MenB (Bexsero) Bonus | Meningitis B + ~30-40% gonorrhea protection | High-risk individuals (UK started targeting in 2025) | 2 doses | Extra bacterial STI layer if high-risk |
HIV Vaccine: New trial (IAVI G004) started in December 2025 using mRNA tech. Not here yet, but getting closer!
Chlamydia & Syphilis: Research is moving, but nothing ready yet.
A new tool in your toolkit
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| What it is | An antibiotic strategy using doxycycline after sex to reduce the risk of bacterial STIs |
| Target Infections | Syphilis and Chlamydia Highly Effective Gonorrhea Moderately Effective |
| How it works | Taken within 72 hours after condomless sex, doxycycline can kill bacteria before infection takes hold |
| Typical Dose | 200 mg of doxycycline (usually 2 × 100 mg pills), single dose after exposure |
| Who it's for | Primarily MSM and transgender women at high risk of STIs. CDC expanded to include cisgender men in high-risk groups |
| Effectiveness | • Syphilis: 70-87% reduction • Chlamydia: 70-88% reduction • Gonorrhea: 30-55% reduction |
| Possible Side Effects | Nausea, diarrhea, photosensitivity (sunburn risk), stomach upset |
| Concerns | Long-term impact on antibiotic resistance still being studied. Not a substitute for condoms or testing |
| Best Practice | Combine with regular STI/HIV testing, PrEP (if indicated), and open communication with partners/providers |
Doxy-PEP is a powerful addition to your protection strategy: