Using condoms is a great way to protect yourself and your partner from sexually transmitted infections STIs , including HIV. People are actually more likely to become infected with HIV from a serious partner compared to a casual partner [1]. This is because people are more likely to have condomless sex with a serious partner. Also, some people assume that their relationship is monogamous both partners only have sex with each other without talking to their partner about it.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. As more couples explore this type of sex, understanding the risks, rewards, and proper strategy is important. According to the Centers for Disease Control CDC , anal sex is primarily growing in popularity with couples under age You might think of anal sex as anal penetration with a penis, but you have a few more options.

We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Anal sex is the practice of inserting the penis, fingers, or a foreign object such as a vibrator into the anus for sexual pleasure. With the appropriate precautions, anal sex is mostly safe. However, there are different potential risks that may not be present in vaginal or oral sex.

Condoms and dental dams help prevent sexually transmitted infections STIs , including HIV, from being transmitted between sexual partners. STIs can be transmitted between partners during different types of sex without a condom, including anal sex, vaginal sex, and oral sex. Using condoms during sex reduces the risk of transmission of most STIs, including HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and certain types of hepatitis. If left untreated, some STIs can cause significant health issues.