I’ve recently started seeing a new girl. We’ve both been tested and have come back negative. Is it safe for us to have unprotected sex if she’s on the pill?

Congratulations on your new relationships and on taking the responsible step of going for an HIV test. Before you stop using condoms, you should think about your decision not to use condoms seriously. The test will not protect you from HIV; your behaviour will.

You should stop using condoms only after you have gone for a second test after the window period, which is usually three months. You should then commit to be faithful to each other and actually mean it and practice it. You should consider how you are going to reintroduce condoms in your relationship if either one of you have sex with someone else. You should also make it a habit to test at least twice a year to ensure that you always know your status. If you are prepared to sustain this kind of sexual practice in your relationship, then you will have an HIV-free and sexually-fulfilling relationship.