When it comes to safer sex, we often hear the same messages over and over: “Wear a condom,” “Protect yourself from STIs,” “Use contraception.” But for many people in the trans community, these messages don’t always feel like they’re meant for them.
We’ve heard it before from service users:
“I don’t think I need to use condoms because I don’t have penetrative sex.”
“I’ve had bottom surgery, so I thought that meant I couldn’t get STIs.”
“I’m on hormones – doesn’t that protect me from infections?”
The truth is, there’s a lot of confusion around whether condoms are necessary – and that’s totally valid. Sexual health advice often focuses on penis-in-vagina sex between cisgender men and women. But in reality, people have sex in many different ways, with many different body parts, and STIs don’t discriminate.
Let’s Talk About Where STIs Can Live and Spread
STIs are not just a “penis and vagina” issue. In fact, many common infections can be passed through oral sex, rimming, fingering, or using shared sex toys. Here are some of the lesser-discussed (but just as important) areas of the body where STIs can live:
Mouth and Throat:
Infections like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, and syphilis can all be passed through oral sex. You don’t have to have symptoms to be infectious – many people don’t even know they have something in their throat!
Bum (Rectum):
Rimming or receiving anal sex (with fingers, toys, or a penis) can transmit infections like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, herpes, hepatitis A, and HPV. Many of these STIs can sit quietly in the rectum with no signs at all.
Front Holes, Neo-vaginas, and Surgical Sites:
Whether you’ve had gender-affirming surgery or not, any area involved in sexual contact can still carry risk. STIs can infect mucus membranes and moist skin – which can include surgical areas, depending on the tissue used and how it’s healing.
Hands and Sex Toys:
Don’t forget these! Hands can transfer infections between bodies, and sex toys should be cleaned thoroughly or used with condoms between partners or holes.
Safer Sex Isn’t One-Size-Fits-All
What counts as safer sex depends on the sex you’re having, how your body works, and what makes you feel comfortable. For trans people, that might mean:
- Using dental dams or cut-open condoms for oral or rimming
- Using condoms on fingers or toys
- Communicating with partners about what types of contact are happening
- Getting regular STI checks, even if you don’t have symptoms
STIs don’t always look or feel like anything. That’s why routine testing is so important. At Essex Sexual Health Service, we offer free, confidential testing – including postal kits you can use at home. Order a test self-test kit here.
This Isn’t About Fear – It’s About Empowerment
Knowing the facts gives you power. It’s not about shame, judgement, or fear – it’s about protecting yourself and your partners in a way that fits your body, your identity, and your sex life.
Whether you’re on hormones, post-surgery, pre-op, non-op, or anywhere on your gender journey – you still deserve care that makes sense for you.
You can talk to us without having to explain your identity. Our clinicians are trained to support all bodies and all genders, with services that are trans-friendly and trauma-informed.
Need support or unsure what safer sex looks like for you?
We’re here to help – no assumptions, no awkwardness. Just advice that fits.
Book a free appointment or order a test kit at: https://essexsexualhealthservice.org.uk/
Follow us on social for tips, resources, and real-talk sex education.
Let’s make sexual health inclusive for everyone – because your health matters, and your body deserves respect.
