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WHO SHOULD USE A CONDOM?
Because condoms are used for both birth control and reducing the risk of disease, some people think that other forms of birth control will also protect them against disease. This is not true. Even if you use another form of birth control you need a condom to reduce the risk of getting STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
Condoms do not make sex 100% safe, but, if properly used, they can reduce the chanced of contracting STDs, including AIDS. This can mean protection not only for you and your partner, but also for any children you may have in the future.
CHOOSING A CONDOM
The condoms should be made of latex (rubber) or made of polyurethane (a new condom product).
It should say that the condoms are to prevent disease, and if used properly, latex condoms help reduce the risk of HIV transmission and many other STDs. If the package doesn't say anything about preventing disease, the condoms may not provide the protection you want. Novelty condoms, for example, will not be labeled for disease prevention and should not be used for this purpose. For proper protection, a condom must unroll to cover the entire penis.
Check the expiration date (EXP followed by date). The condom should not be purchased or used after that date.
Condoms are available in many stores and from vending machines. If purchasing condoms from vending machines, check for proper labeling. Do not purchase condoms from a vending machine located where it may be subject to extreme temperatures or direct sunlight.
Condoms should be stored in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Closets or drawers usually make good storage places. Condoms should not be kept in a pocket, wallet or purse for more than a few hours at a time because they may be exposed to extreme temperatures.
HOW TO USE A CONDOM
When opening a condom, handle the package gently. Don't use teeth, sharp fingernails, scissors or other sharp instruments as these may damage the condom. And make sure you can see what you're doing!
After you open the package, inspect the condom. If the material sticks to itself or is gummy, the condom is no good. Check the condom top for other obvious damage such as brittleness, tears, and holes, but don't unroll the condom to check it because this could damage it.
Use a new condom for every act of intercourse and oral sex.
Put the condom on after the penis is erect and before any contact is made between the penis and any part of the partner's body.
If using a spermicide, put some inside the condom tip.
If the condom does not have a reservoir tip, pinch the tip enough to leave a half-inch space for semen to collect. Make sure to eliminate any air in the tip to help keep the condom from breaking.
Holding the condom by the rim (and pinching the half-inch tip, if necessary) place the condom on top of the penis. Then, continuing to hold it by the rim, unroll it all the way to the base of the penis. If you are using water-based lubricant, you can put more on the outside of the condom.
If you feel the condom break, stop immediately, withdraw and put on a new condom.
After ejaculation and before the penis gets soft, grip the rim of the condom and carefully withdraw.
To remove the condom, gently pull it off the penis, being careful the semen doesn't spill out.
Wrap the used condom in a tissue and throw it in the trash. Because condoms may cause problems in sewers, don't flush them down the toilet. Afterwards, wash your hands with soap and water.
PRECAUTION
Although condoms afford good protection for vaginal and oral sex (where the penis is in contact with the mouth), the protection they give for anal sex is questionable. The Surgeon General of the Public Health Service has said, "condoms provide some protection, but anal intercourse is simply too dangerous a practice." Condoms may be more likely to break during anal intercourse than during other types of sex because of the greater amount of friction and other stresses involved. Even if the condom doesn't break, anal intercourse is very risky because it can cause rectal tissue to tear and bleed, allowing disease germs to pass more easily from one partner to another.
SPERMICIDES
Spermicides, which kill sperm, are used for birth control either alone or with barrier contraceptives such as the diaphragm or cervical cap. Scientists have observed that, in test tubes, a spermicide called nonoxynol-9 kills organisms that cause STDs. Although it has not been scientifically proven, it is possible that nonoxynol-9 may reduce the risk of transmission of the AIDS virus during intercourse as well. Using a spermicide along with a latex condom is therefore advisable, and is an added precaution in case the condom breaks. Some condoms come with nonoxynol-9 already added. Their packages are required to be labeled with the expiration date of the spermicide, and they should not be used after that date.
Some experts think that even if a condom with spermicide is used, additional spermicide in the form of a jelly, cream or foam should be added. These are sold over the counter in pharmacies and some supermarkets. (Although swallowing small amounts of spermicide has not proven harmful in animal tests, it is not known if this is true for humans. For that reason, and because spermicides have a bitter taste, for oral sex it may be best to use a condom without spermicide.)
LUBRICANTS
Lubricants may help prevent condoms from breaking during use and may prevent irritation that might increase the chance of infection. Some condoms come lubricated with dry silicone, jelly or cream or you can add water-based lubricants specifically made for this purpose (for example, K-Y Lubricating Jelly). If you use a separate lubricant, never use a product that contains oils, fats or greases such as petroleum based jelly (for example, Vaseline), baby oil or lotion, hand or body lotion, cooking shortenings, or oily cosmetics such as cold creams. These can seriously weaken latex, causing a condom to tear easily. If you use a spermicide, you do not need to use a lubricant because the spermicide acts as a lubricant.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES FOR INFORMATION
SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASE INFORMATION
National AIDS Hotline (800) 342-AIDS
Sexually Transmitted Diseases Hotline (800) 227-8922
LATEX ALLERGY INFORMATION
Cetra Homepage - Latex free medical supplies for individuals that have latex allergies.
A.L.E.R.T.,Inc. - More latex-allergy information.
MoonDragon's Obgyn Information: Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)
Spermicidal Products:
Male Condom Products:
Female Condom Products:
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