How to Prioritise Sexual Health and Safety: A Practical Guide

Prioritising your sexual health and safety simply means leading with care — for yourself, your partners, and the wider community. It comes down to a handful of habits: honest conversations, safer sex, regular STI testing, and respecting consent and boundaries. None of it has to be clinical or awkward. Done well, it makes intimacy safer, calmer, and more connected.

We want your connections to be safe, enjoyable, and meaningful — and a thoughtful approach to sexual health is a huge part of that. Whether you're meeting someone casually, deepening a long-term relationship, or navigating open dynamics, your health and wellbeing matter. Read on for a practical, judgement-free guide: how to hold honest conversations, how to practise safer sex, when and how to get tested, and how to look after yourself if something feels off.

Lead with open, honest conversations

Talking about sexual health can feel vulnerable — especially with a new partner — but it's a necessary part of intimacy. It's also part of informed consent: everyone deserves to know each other's STI status and what protection is being used before things get physical.

You might want to cover:

• When you were last tested for STIs, and which tests were included.
• What kinds of protection you use, prefer, or require (like condoms or dental dams).
• Any agreements you have with other partners (especially in open or non-monogamous dynamics).
• Boundaries, support needs, or aftercare that feels good for you.

These conversations build trust — and they can be kind, warm, and connective rather than purely practical. If you're not sure how to start, our guide on how to tell a partner about STI testing walks through exactly what to say.

Sexual health practices aren't a barrier to intimacy. They're what makes safe, fulfilling connection possible.

Practise safer sex

Safer sex looks different for different people. Still, whatever your body, identity, or desires, using protection and reducing risk supports mutual care. You might use:

• External or internal condoms.
• Dental dams or gloves.
• Water-based or silicone-based lubricant — oil-based lubricant can damage latex condoms and dental dams.
• PrEP (pre-exposure prophylaxis) or PEP (post-exposure prophylaxis), where appropriate.
• Open conversation about your STI status and comfort with different acts.

There's no one-size-fits-all approach. What matters most is being open, non-judgemental, and respecting each other's preferences. For trusted guidance, organisations like the NHS, Planned Parenthood, and the Building Healthy Online Communities (BHOC) initiative all publish clear, free resources on safer sex.

Get tested for STIs regularly

Getting tested is part of being a responsible, caring partner — and it means you're looking after your own health too. How often you test may depend on your activity, practices, or anatomy, but generally:

• Every 3–6 months is a good rhythm for people with new or multiple partners.
• A full panel may include tests for HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea, syphilis, and hepatitis.
• Be honest about your testing routine when you connect with someone new.

Remember that most STIs have no symptoms, so feeling fine isn't proof you're clear — regular testing is the only way to actually know your status. Need help finding testing near you? In the UK you can find free, confidential services on the NHS website. Elsewhere, your local sexual health clinic, healthcare provider, or an LGBTQ+ health centre can point you to the right service. Wherever you are, a local clinician can offer personalised advice tailored to your body and needs.

If you're living with an STI

STIs are far more common than people think, and many are treatable or manageable with the right care. Living with an STI doesn't mean you have to stop exploring intimacy — and it isn't anything to feel ashamed of.

Do share your status with partner(s) before any physical activity, so they can make fully informed choices. You might start with something simple: "I'm living with [name of STI]. It's currently [treated / managed / not active], and I'm happy to answer any questions."

Being open about your status is a necessary part of informed consent, and it makes for more trusting, respectful experiences. It can feel vulnerable, but it's an act of care. If someone responds with judgement or stigma, or won't engage in conversations about sexual health at all, that's a potential red flag — and it's worth asking whether you feel safe continuing.

Know your legal and ethical responsibilities

Being intimate with someone means respecting the responsibilities you have towards them. Keep in mind:

• Always respect the legal age of consent where you are.
• Never engage in sexual activity without clear, informed consent.
• In many regions, failing to disclose a known STI status before sex can carry legal consequences.

If you're not sure what the law is — especially when travelling or connecting internationally — consult a healthcare provider or a local legal resource.

Respect consent and boundaries

Enthusiastic, informed, and ongoing consent is essential to any sexual experience — and it can be withdrawn at any point. Safer sex also means discussing and respecting each other's boundaries. Let your partner(s) know what's OK for you and what's a hard no, and listen to theirs in return. If something feels off, or you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, it's always OK to step away.

Reporting harm or unsafe behaviour

If you have experienced sexual assault, harassment, or rape, we encourage you to contact law enforcement in your area if you feel safe doing so. There are also organisations dedicated to supporting survivors — the Chayn global directory can help you find services across many countries. You deserve support, and none of what happened is your fault.

Where Zults fits in

Sexual health works best when it feels routine, mutual, and free of shame. Part of that is being able to prove your status without the awkwardness — which is exactly what Zults is for. Zults turns the STI results you already have into a verified, shareable Rezults card, so a conversation that used to feel loaded becomes a quick, confident moment.

Because it's verified, a partner can trust it's genuinely yours and current — unlike a screenshot, which can be edited and can't be taken back. You control who sees it, you can hide your legal name while still proving it's you, and you can revoke access at any time. If you want to see how different sharing methods compare, our guide on how to share STI results with a partner breaks it down.

The bottom line

Prioritising sexual health means prioritising care — for yourself and the people you connect with. Honest conversations, safer sex, regular testing, and respect for consent aren't a barrier to intimacy; they're what makes it safe, fulfilling, and mutually enjoyable. Lead with care, and the rest gets a lot easier.

Educational information only — not medical advice. For guidance about your sexual health, testing, or wellbeing, speak to a qualified clinician or your local sexual health service.