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Condom Use in Preventing HIV Infection and Other STDs
Studies have shown that latex condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV transmission when used consistently and correctly. These studies looked at uninfected people considered to be at very high risk of infection because they were involved in sexual relationships with HIV-infected people. The studies found that even with repeated sexual contact, 98-100 percent of those people who used latex condoms correctly and consistently did not become infected. Up to half of all men and 8 out of 10 women who are infected with an STD (like Chlamydia or Gonorrhea) show no symptoms. That means damage, sometimes permanent, is being done to their bodies. They can transmit the infection to others, but they don"t even know they have a disease.
With more than 1 million Americans infected with HIV, most of them through sexual transmission, and an estimated 12 million other sexually transmitted diseases occurring each year in the United States, effective strategies for preventing these diseases are critical.
The proper and consistent use of latex condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse--vaginal, anal, or oral--can greatly reduce a person's risk of acquiring or transmitting STDs, including HIV infection. In fact, recent studies provide compelling evidence that latex condoms are highly effective in protecting against HIV infection when used properly for every act of intercourse.
The protection that proper use of latex condoms provides against HIV transmission is most evident from studies of couples in which one member is infected with HIV and the other is not, i.e., "discordant couples." In a study of discordant couples in Europe, among 123 couples that reported consistent condom use, none of the uninfected partners became infected. In contrast, among the 122 couples that used condoms inconsistently, 12 of the uninfected partners became infected. As these studies indicate, condoms must be used consistently and correctly to provide maximum
protection. Consistent use means using a condom from start to finish with each and every act of intercourse.
Just the Facts
- Latex condoms help reduce the risk of HIV transmission (AIDS) and many other STD"s and can help prevent pregnancy.
- Up half of all men and 8 out of 10 woman who are infected with an STD show no symptoms, but can be doing permit damage to their bodies.
- There is no cure for STD"s; things like herpes and HIV the virus that causes aids.
- STD"s can be transmitted from mouth to genitals and from genitals to mouth.
- If you know four people, you probably know someone who has or has had an STD.
- Prevention is CHEAP, especially when compared with the 10 billion a year it cost to treat STD"s and their consequences, moral is... use a condom.
How to Properly Use a Condom
People think they know how to use a condom correctly, but user error is the number 1 reason why condoms fail.
Use a new condom for each act of intercourse. Do not use old brittle condoms that you"ve been carrying around with you since your freshman year in high school. Check the expiration date, it should be printed right on the back of every condom wrapper. Open the wrapper carefully and please... no teeth.
Put on the condom as soon as erection (hard-on) occurs and before any sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral).
Hold the tip of the condom and unroll it to the base of the erect penis leaving space at the tip, if an air bubble gets caught inside, it could break the condom, so be sure that there is no air trapped.
Adequate lubrication is important, but use only water-based lubricants, such as Wet, Rain, KY, or Astroglide. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, cold cream, hand lotion, or baby oil, can weaken the condom and possibly break. If you notice that the condom breaks during intercourse, withdrawal from your partner and put on a new condom. Pay attention! In the heat of passion, you and your partner may not notice if the condom has broken.
Withdraw from the partner immediately after ejaculation, holding the condom firmly to keep it from slipping off. Tie the end of the condom and throw it in the trash, don"t flush!
Putting on a Condom - Step by Step
Place condom on erect penis. Make sure it"s not inside out and squeeze the tip.
Unroll condom all the way to the base of penis (pull foreskin back if your not circumcised)
Apply a few drops of lubricant to the inside of the condom and liberally on the outside. Now you are all set go...have fun!
It is our goal is to encourage people to practice safer sex by using condoms and personal lubricants in order to possibly reduce the risk of aids, sexual transmitted disease, and unexpected pregnancy, however any information provided on this site is provided for informational purposes and is not meant to substitute for the advice provided by a physician or any medical professional.
CDC National AIDS Hotline: 1-800-342-AIDS
Spanish: 1-800-342-SIDA
Deaf: 1-800-324-7889
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