Latex or nitrile gloves can be used to reduce the risk of infections, including sexually transmitted and blood-borne infections (STBBIs) from any kind of sexual activity where a hand touches someone else’s body fluids (for example, fingers inside of the vagina or anus, rubbing a penis with hands, etc.). Gloves can reduce the risk of genital tears or abrasions that may increase the risk of infection and can also offer protection from infection if someone has small cuts or scrapes on their hands. We recommend using a lot of lubricant on the outside of the gloves to make things as smooth and slippery as possible. Be sure to change gloves when moving from one kind of sexual activity to another, for example fingers in anus to fingers in vagina. It is important not to re-use gloves.
Gloves can be purchased from pharmacies and are available free of charge at SERC and many other community health centres.