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 The
only sure way to avoid sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such
as human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, acquired immunodeficiency
syndrome (AIDS), chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea,
hepatitis B, and syphilis is complete abstinence. Another way to
protect oneself from such diseases is to have a mutually monogamous
relationship with a partner who is free of disease.
Short
of this, condoms, although not 100 percent effective, may reduce
the risk of STDs if used correctly and consistently. Condoms, one
of the oldest forms of birth control, are also used to prevent STDs.
The modern day condom is a latex sheath that covers the entire penis,
keeping semen, and other bodily fluids, that can harbor infectious
organisms such as HIV, from passing from one person to another.
About
two-thirds of the people with AIDS in the United States got the
disease through sexual intercourse with an infected partner. It
is thought that many of these people could have avoided the disease
by using condoms.
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Understanding
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs) affect 12 million men and women
in the United States each year.
- Anyone
can become infected through sexual intercourse with an infected
person.
- Many
of those infected are teenagers or young adults.
- Changing
sexual partners adds to the risk of becoming infected.
- Sometimes,
early in the infection, there may be no symptoms, or symptoms
may be easily confused with other illnesses.
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Sexually
transmitted diseases can cause:
- Tubal
pregnancies, sometimes fatal to the mother and always fatal
to the unborn child
- Death
or severe damage to a baby born to an infected woman
- Sterility
(loss of ability to get pregnant)
- Cancer
of the cervix in women
- Damage
to other parts of the body, including the heart, kidneys,
and brain
- Death
to infected individuals
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See
a doctor if you have any of these symptoms of STDs:
- Discharge
from the vagina, penis, and/or rectum
- Pain
or burning during urination and/or intercourse
- Pain
in the abdomen (women), testicles (men), and buttocks and
legs (both)
- Blisters,
open sores, warts, rash, and/or swelling in the genital
area, sex organs, and/or mouth
- Flu-like
symptoms, including fever, headache, aching muscles, and/or
swollen glands
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Source: U.S. Food and Drug Administration |
Choosing
a condom
The
first step in choosing a condom is to read the label and look for
two things:
- It
provides protection against STDs.
Condoms are currently made of latex (rubber), polyurethane or
natural membrane (called lambskin but actually made from the sheep's
intestine). Only latex condoms labeled for protection against
STDs should be used for STD protection, unless one partner is
allergic to latex. In that case, a polyurethane condom can be
used. Lambskin condoms have tiny holes that viruses, which are
smaller than sperm, may be able to pass through. For this reason,
lambskin condoms are not an effective way to reduce the risk of
STDs.
- It
prevents disease.
The package should say that the condoms are to prevent disease.
If the package doesn't say anything about preventing disease,
the condoms may not provide enough protection. Novelty condoms
are intended only for sexual stimulation, not protection.
Condoms
are available in almost all pharmacies and many supermarkets, and
no prescription is needed to buy them. They are also available from
vending machines. 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.
Places that may get very hot, such as car glove compartments, are
not good choices.
Spermicides
The
spermicidal nonoxynol-9 has been shown to kill the germs that cause
STDs. Some experts believe nonoxynol-9 may kill HIV during intercourse.
So using a spermicidal along with a latex condom is an added precaution
in case the condom breaks during intercourse. Spermicides generally
come in the form of jellies, creams, or foams.
You
can also buy condoms with a small amount of spermicide already applied.
If you do add spermicide, place a small amount inside the condom
at its tip. After the condom is on the penis, put more on the outside.
Spermicides can also be put inside the woman's vagina. If you have
oral sex, use a condom without a spermicide. Although swallowing
small amounts of spermicide has not proven harmful in animal tests,
we don't know if this is always true for humans.
Lubricants
Lubricants
may help prevent condoms from breaking during use. Some condoms
are lubricated with dry silicone, jelly, or cream. If you use a
separate lubricant, never use a product that contains oils, fats,
or greases such as Vaseline, baby oil, lotions, or cold creams.
These
can seriously weaken latex, causing a condom to tear easily. Water-based
lubricants (for example, K-Y Lubricating Jelly) are specifically
made for this purpose. If you are not sure what product to use,
ask your pharmacist.
How
to use a condom
When
opening a condom, handle the package gently. Don't use your teeth,
sharp fingernails, scissors, or other sharp instruments as these
may damage the condom. After you open the package, inspect the condom.
If
the material sticks to itself or is gummy, do not use the condom.
Check the condom top for signs of other obvious damage, such as
brittleness, tears, and holes, but don't unroll the condom to check
it because this could damage it.
- If
the penis is uncircumcised, pull the foreskin back before putting
on the condom.
- Put
the condom on after the penis is erect and before any contact
is made between the penis and any part of your partner's body.
For proper protection, a condom must unroll to cover the entire
penis.
- If
the condom doesn't have a reservoir top, pinch the tip about a
half-inch. This allows space for semen to collect.
- While
pinching the tip, place the condom against the penis and unroll
it all the way to the base.
- If
you feel the condom break during intercourse, stop immediately
and withdraw. Do not continue until you put on a new condom and,
if using a spermicide, apply more.
- 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 that the semen doesn't spill out.
- Wrap
the used condom in a tissue and throw it in a trashcan where others
won't handle it. Because condoms may cause problems in sewers,
don't flush them down the toilet.
Who
should use a condom?
To
lessen the chance of being infected with HIV or other STDs, people
who take part in risky sexual behavior (having sex - vaginal, anal,
or oral with a partner whose infection status is unknown or who
is infected with HIV or another STD) should always use a condom,
from start to finish, every time.
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