My new partner and I want to stop using condoms because we are going to use the pill instead. I was a virgin before but my partner has had sex with a few people before me. What should we do to make sure we are safe?

You should both get an STI check up before you stop using protection. Some STIs can also be caught from skin to skin contact, so being a virgin doesn’t necessarily mean you are safe. Condoms used with water-based lubricant offer the best method of protecting yourselves from STIs if you are sexually active.

Head along to your local Family Planning Clinic, Sexual Health Service, Youth Health Centre or your own doctor for a sexual health check-up. If you and your partner agree to this, you can request to see each others results. This is a good idea to remove any doubt either of you may be having. If either person has had recent partners, you might want to wait 3-6 months and return for a second check up as some STIs can take a while to show up in a test.