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Ways to protect yourself

Strategies for maintaining sexual health and preventing HIV

A range of strategies can be used to reduce the risk of HIV transmission, each offering a different level of protection. Their effectiveness depends on how they are used and in what context. Finding the strategies that suit your needs and preferences and using them together as a “combination” can help you to have the best possible protection.

Mobilise! has identified 25 strategies that offer at least some protection against HIV transmission. However, most won’t protect you from other STIs. For more detailed information about the effectiveness, accessibility, and acceptability of each strategy, see our Prevention Strategy Fact Sheets. For more information on STI prevention as well as links to community organizations and health services that provide information and support, visit ReadyforAction.org.

  1. Strategies that are effective in preventing HIV transmission
  2. Strategies whose effectiveness is low or uncertain
  3. Conditions that are favourable to sexual health
  4. Strategies not available in Canada or still in development

Design of prevention strategies artwork:  Jean-Frédéric Koné

1.  Strategies that are effective in preventing HIV transmission

These strategies have been proven effective in preventing HIV transmission. They can be used alone, but since none of them are 100% perfect, it’s often a good idea to combine more than one together.

Taking PrEP (pre­exposure prophylaxis)

Taking antiretroviral medication (anti­HIV pills) by an HIV­negative person every day or intermittently (before and after sexual relations) to reduce the risk of contracting an HIV infection.
Learn more.

Using a physical barrier (condom, dental dam, glove) and lubricant during sexual contact

Use of a physical barrier (condom, dental dam, glove) during oral sex, vaginal or anal sex, rimming, or fisting, along with an appropriate lubricant.
Learn more.

Adapting your sexual practices to the viral load of any HIV-positive partners who are involved

Adapting the prevention strategies that would normally be used, in instances when an HIV-positive partner has an undetectable viral load (fewer than 40 copies per milliliter of blood).
Learn more.

Taking antiretroviral treatment (if you are HIV-positive)

Taking antiretroviral treatment (anti­-HIV pills) regularly and correctly as soon as possible after an HIV diagnosis so as to reduce viral load.
Learn more.

Taking PEP (post­exposure prophylaxis)

Starting antiretroviral medication (anti­HIV pills) by an HIV­negative person a maximum of 72 hours after possible exposure to HIV, to reduce the risk that an infection will take hold.
Learn more.

Combining your biomedical strategy with those of your partners (“biomed-matching”)

Adapting the prevention strategies that would normally be used, in instances when all partners involved are using a complementary biomedical strategy (PrEP and/or undetectable viral load.
Learn more.

2.  Strategies whose effectiveness is low or uncertain

The effectiveness of these strategies is low or uncertain and often depends on a variety of other factors. Combining them with other strategies is recommended.

Serosorting

Limiting all or certain sexual activities to partners whose HIV status is the same as your own.
Learn more.

Strategic positioning

Choosing to be top or bottom depending on your HIV status and your partner’s status, based on the notion that the bottom is more at risk than the top.
Learn more.

Making an agreement with your regular partner (negotiated safety)

Adapting the prevention strategies that would normally be used, once each partner has been tested and you have come to an agreement regarding sexual activities and the use of prevention strategies outside the relationship.
Learn more.

Withdrawal before ejaculation

Withdrawing the penis from the mouth, vagina, or anus before ejaculation.
Learn more.

Adopting low­-risk practices

Choosing to adopt sexual practices with the lowest risk in situations where the possibility of transmitting HIV is unknown or high.
Learn more.

Having fewer sexual partners

Choosing to limit the number of sexual partners you have.
Learn more.

Refraining from sex

Choosing to refrain from sexual contact on a short-term or long-term basis if the conditions are not optimal for reducing your risks.
Learn more.

3.  Conditions that are favourable to sexual health

These strategies do not have a direct impact on HIV transmission, but include different practices and contexts that promote good sexual health and contribute to the implementation of other strategies.

Changing how you drink or use drugs

Changing the way you use drugs and alcohol before or during sex in order to have more control over the prevention strategies you put in place.
Learn more.

Getting tested regularly for HIV

Getting a blood test on a regular basis that can detect whether a person has been infected with HIV.
Learn more.

Getting tested regularly for STIs

Getting a test or physical examination on a regular basis to detect the presence of a sexually transmitted infection (STI) and initiate appropriate treatment.
Learn more.

Communicating in a proactive way with your partners

Discussing your HIV status or the strategies that need to be put in place with sexual partners, prior to having sex.
Learn more.

Being circumcised

Absence of a foreskin due to surgical removal.
Learn more.

Informing your partners if you have an STI

Informing your sexual partners if you have an STI or an HIV infection, prior to having sex or following a diagnosis.
Learn more.

Using social and health services

Making use of various social, health, and community services to get support and improve your sexual health.
Learn more.

Advocating for better access to services

Engaging in activism to improve access to health services in terms of transparency, acceptability, availability, cost, and better coordination between different services.
Learn more.

Advocating for better laws and policies

Advocating for the implementation of laws and policies to improve the conditions that influence vulnerability to HIV.
Learn more.

4.  Strategies not available in Canada or still in development

These strategies are not yet available in Canada or are still under development.

Using an HIV self-test

Using a self-administered blood or saliva test that can detect whether a person has an HIV infection (not available in Canada).
Learn more.

Using microbicides

Applying a product (gel, vaginal ring) inside the vagina or rectum prior to penetration that contains medication to protect against HIV (still in development).
Learn more.

Getting vaccinated against HIV

Receiving a vaccine that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV (still in development).
Learn more.