The truth: Let's deal with the birth control issue first. If you don't want to run the risk - no matter how small - of getting pregnant, you should continue using contraception until you haven't had a period or any bleeding for at least two years if you're under 50, or one year if you're over 50, according to official NHS guidelines. And after the menopause? It's still vital to protect yourself against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV. And unless you know for certain that you and your partner are infection-free - which, as we'll explain, isn't as easy as you may think - you'll still need to use a condom whenever you have sex.

You might also like...
Know your STI risk
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: There's only one way to know if you have an STI - and that's to get tested at a sexual health clinic, genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic or GP's surgery. Some of the most common STIs present no symptoms: for example, chlamydia only displays symptoms in around 70 per cent of women and 50 per cent of men. Left untreated, however, the infection can spread to other parts of the body and cause serious health problems.

You might also like...
Know your STI risk
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: A safer alternative to what? Jumping in front of a lorry? Of course, you won't get pregnant from anal sex - which may be one of the reasons why more heterosexual couples are now trying it. Around 15 per cent of women now report having had anal sex at least once in the past year, according to 2013's National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles - an increase of four per cent from the previous survey, which was carried out between 1999 and 2001. But because the lining of the anus is thin and easily damaged, it's more susceptible to infection. Rule number one? Always use a condom with a water-based lubricant: oil-based lubricants can cause the condom to break or fail.

You might also like...
10 of the best lubricants
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: Sorry! You can't just lie back and assume you're playing it safe: most STIs can still be transmitted when giving or receiving oral sex. Admittedly, the risk is lower when you're simply 'receiving' - but if your partner has a cold sore, for example, he or she could infect you with the herpes virus and you may get genital sores.

You might also like...
Know your STI risk
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: If you want to avoid getting pregnant, you'll still need to use contraception until eight weeks after the operation. The reason? A few super-persistent sperm may still be hanging around in the tubes leading to the penis. And after eight weeks? A vasectomy makes no difference as to whether or not a man can pass on an infection during sex.

You might also like...
Know your STI risk
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: Infections can be passed on even if your partner doesn't ejaculate during sex - or if his penis doesn't fully enter you. The reason? An infection may still be present in pre-ejaculate - the liquid that's produced as soon as the penis becomes fully erect. It's worth remembering this liquid contains thousands of sperm, too - so although the risk is minimal, you could become pregnant if pre-ejaculate comes into contact with your vagina.

You might also like...
Know your STI risk
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: Yes you can: STIs, blood-borne infections and other germs can be passed on through sex toys, so thorough hygiene is key. Our advice? Follow the care instructions that come with the product. This usually involves washing the toy thoroughly with warm water and soap - or a specially formulated cleaning product - after every use. And that includes before using the product on another part of the body or another person. Cover vibrators with a condom before using them on someone else. And check the toy's surface regularly for any cracks or scratches: these provide ideal hiding places for germs.

You might also like...
Sex toys etiquette
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: Not necessarily. 'More than half of women experience some form of vaginal or intimate irritation and discomfort at some point in their lives,' says Diana Mansour, consultant in community gynaecology and reproductive healthcare. 'Of course, some of us are naturally more prone to irritation than others, but factors such as using harsh soaps or products containing preservatives can also make us more susceptible. You should also avoid wearing tight underwear and clothing, as this can contribute to irritation.'

You might also like...
Advice on intimate health issues
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: True, the more sexual partners you've had, the greater the chances that at least one of them may have passed on an STI. But even if you've had less than a handful of partners throughout your life, you're still indirectly connected to everyone your partner or partners had slept with before. The average woman has eight partners in her lifetime, according to the National Survey of Sexual Attitudes and Lifestyles. And once you've had four partners, the chances of one of them carrying an infection is more than 50 per cent.

You might also like...
Know your STI risk
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues

The truth: Actually, it varies. One recent US study looked at 800 post-menopausal women with an average age of 67. More than 60 per cent said they were 'happy' with their sex lives and still achieved orgasm 'most of the time', according to the research published in The American Journal of Medicine. Every stage of adult life may present its own challenges, but sexual satisfaction can fluctuate and depends on many things - not least who you're doing it with, of course.

It's STI Awareness Day on January 14 2015. To find out how and where to get tested for STIs, go to www.stiq.org.uk/sti-tests

You might also like...
Know your STI risk
Sex over 40 - and beyond
Help for sexual health issues