Does The Pill Protect Against STIs? No. Here's What Does.

Does the contraceptive pill help prevent pregnancy?

Does the pill protect against STIs? 

The answer is simple right? Maybe not?

It wasn't clear to everyone who took part in the Moments Sexual Health Study 2026 when asked, which contraceptive method protects against both pregnancy and STIs.

Some 26.2% selected the pill. Condoms were the only correct option in the list and were selected by 77.5%. Put another way, 22.6% did not select condoms.

More than three-quarters identified condoms. One in four also selected the wrong method. Both figures matter.

Pregnancy prevention and STI protection are different jobs

The pill is a hormonal form of contraception.  When used correctly, it can be highly effective at preventing pregnancy. It does not create a physical barrier and does not protect against STIs.

External condoms work as a barrier. When used correctly and consistently, they can help prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of transmission of many STIs. Some infections can be passed through skin-to-skin contact in areas a condom does not cover.

“The pill helps prevent pregnancy when it is used correctly, but it does not protect against STIs. Condoms reduce the risk of transmission of many STIs when they are used correctly and consistently. They are doing different jobs.”

- Dr Sangeeta Khinder, Gynaecologist MB BS, MRCOG 

A wrong answer is not a character judgement

Health knowledge is often treated like a test that people either pass or fail. This can make a useful information feel like an attack.

If pregnancy prevention and STI protection are both relevant, ask two separate questions: what is being used to prevent pregnancy, and what is being used to reduce STI risk? The answer may involve more than one method.

Someone may use the pill for contraception and a condom for additional pregnancy protection and to reduce STI risk. What is appropriate depends on individual health, circumstances and preferences, so personal advice belongs with a qualified GP, nurse, pharmacist or sexual-health service.

Can you use condoms with the pill?

Yes. Condoms can be used alongside the pill and other contraceptive methods. The pill and condoms are not competing products, they address different parts of the decision.

Correct use still matters. Use a new condom each time, check the expiry date, store it in a cool and dry place, and follow the instructions on the packet. If a condom breaks, slips or is not used, speak with a health professional or sexual-health service about the advice that applies to you.

Product preference does not change the health role

Condoms come in different sizes, materials, thicknesses and textures because fit and preference matter. The best option is one that fits correctly and is used consistently.

For people who prefer a thinner, extra-lubricated option, Moments Ultra Thin Regular is a 53 mm natural-rubber-latex condom. Always read the label, check for latex allergy and use only as directed. Product style does not change the central health message: the pill does not protect against STIs, while condoms can reduce the risk of many STIs when used correctly and consistently.

The wider context is worth keeping separate

Elsewhere in the same study, 63.8% of respondents said women are judged more harshly than men for carrying condoms. That finding belongs to the wider conversation about preparedness. The survey did not test whether judgement caused the knowledge result, so the two should not be presented as cause and effect.

It does leave a useful question. Clear information matters, but so does making the protective option feel ordinary enough to carry, discuss and use.

Where to find reliable advice

For personal advice about contraception, STI testing or symptoms, speak with a qualified health professional.

About the study

The Moments 2026 Sexual Health Study was commissioned by Moments and fielded by independent research company Toluna Australia Pty Ltd among 1,111 Australian women aged 18-45 living in metropolitan and regional Australia. Results were weighted by age, state and region. The study reports attitudes, recall and self-reported behaviour; no men were surveyed. Percentages may not total 100 where multiple responses were allowed. Survey figures in this article are rounded to one decimal place.

Frequently asked questions

Does the pill protect against STIs?

No. The contraceptive pill helps prevent pregnancy but does not protect against sexually transmissible infections.

Which contraceptive method helps protect against pregnancy and STIs?

External condoms can help prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of transmission of many STIs when used correctly and consistently. They do not provide complete protection.

Can you use condoms and the pill together?

Yes. Some people use the pill for contraception and condoms for additional pregnancy protection and to reduce STI risk. A health professional can help you choose an approach that suits your health and circumstances.

Do condoms protect against every STI?

No method provides complete protection. Condoms reduce the risk of many STIs, but some infections can be transmitted through skin-to-skin contact in areas a condom does not cover.By Christina Zafirov, Moments Editorial Team
Medically reviewed by Dr Sangeeta Khinder, Gynaecologist MB BS, MRCOG