Where To Get Condoms
You can get condoms for free, even if you’re under 16, from:
- contraception clinics
- sexual health or GUM clinics
- some GP surgeries
- vending machines in some public toilets
- some petrol stations
Always buy condoms that carry the BSI kite mark and the European CE mark. This means they’ve been tested to the required safety standards.
How A Condom Works
Condoms are a “barrier” method of contraception. They are made of very thin latex , polyurethane or polyisoprene and are designed to prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from meeting an egg.
They can also protect against STIs if used correctly during vaginal, anal and oral sex.
Make sure that your penis does not touch your partner’s genital area before you have put on a condom semen can come out of the penis before full ejaculation .
If this happens, or if semen gets into your partner’s vagina during vaginal sex while using a condom, you may need emergency contraception. You should also consider having an STI test.
The Expanding Hiv Prevention Toolkit
In the past decade the number of HIV prevention options available to reduce the risk of HIV transmission has increased. Some of these strategies are generating a lot of excitement because they may provide an option for people who don’t want to, or are unable to, use condoms. These include the following:
- Antiretroviral treatment — which reduced the risk of HIV transmission by 96% among heterosexual serodiscordant couples in a randomized controlled trial .
- Pre-exposure prophylaxis — which reduced the risk of HIV transmission by 40 to 70% for gay men and heterosexual men and women, in RCTs. Further analysis suggested that PrEP may have reduced HIV risk by up to 90% among those who always took their pills.,
- Post-exposure prophylaxis — which reduced the risk of HIV transmission by up to 80% in an observational study of healthcare workers exposed to HIV in the workplace.
- Observational studies suggest that behavioural strategies such as serosorting, strategic positioning and withdrawal may slightly reduce the risk of HIV transmission.
Recommended Reading: Is Undetectable Hiv Contagious
Correct Condom Use Increases Pleasure
Many people claim they avoid condoms because they are either uncomfortable, burdensome, reduce sensitivity, or “interrupt passion.” In many cases, these concerns can be overcome by learning how to use condoms correctly.
A 2011 study in Texas Medicine reported that 67% of the 180 college students included in the study failed to apply a condom correctly when tested with both a questionnaire and condom demonstration.
When used and sized correctly, condoms are not only easy and quick to apply but can maintain high levels of sensitivity.
If a condom is uncomfortable for you, there are different types of condoms you can try. Many condoms have even extra features that may actually enhance sexual pleasure.
If You’re Under 16 Years Old
Contraception services are free and confidential, including for people under the age of 16.
If you’re under 16 and want contraception, the doctor, nurse or pharmacist will not tell your parents as long as they believe you fully understand the information you’re given and the decisions you’re making.
Doctors and nurses work under strict guidelines when dealing with people under 16. They’ll encourage you to consider telling your parents, but they will not make you.
The only time a professional might want to tell someone else is if they believe you’re at risk of harm, such as abuse. The risk would need to be serious, and they would usually discuss this with you first.
Page last reviewed: 12 October 2020 Next review due: 12 October 2023
Read Also: Does Nba Youngboy Have Hiv
Condoms Are Ineffective Blocking Hpv Herpes And Syphilis
Condoms have been marketed so effectively as an all-around solution for those who want to embrace sexual activity without consequences, few actually stop to question whether condoms actually work. Those who think that condom usage will prevent any STDs are sadly mistaken. Lets go point-by-point.
If a condom works perfectly, it is not effective at preventing exposure to infections that can be transmitted through skin to skin contact, or that affect areas not covered by the condom, such as HPV, herpes, and syphilis, all of which can have very serious negative health outcomes. For STDs that should theoretically be kept under wraps by a condom, such as HIV, we need to look at condom failure rates to assess the risk factor.
If you really want to prevent STDs, condoms are not the answer.
Cdc Advice For Safe Sex
The CDC website says, The only way to avoid STDs is to not have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. They recommend sexually active people do so within a mutually monogamous long-term relationship with a tested partner whose results are clean, and using latex condoms correctly every time.
For those with herpes who dont want to pass it to their uninfected partners, we would add the following: Ask your doctor about the following tips:
Don’t Miss: Do Youngboy Have Herpes
Do Condoms Always Prevent Hiv Transmission
When used correctly every time you have sex, condoms are the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections such as HIV.
They have a very low failure rate and are effective for all forms of sex, including oral and anal sex.
Condoms are classed as medical devices so therefore must meet essential requirements and go through quality tests.
Always check the expiry date of the condom, and choose condoms that carry the BSI kite mark and the European CE mark. These are recognised safety standards.
Condoms are most effective when used properly, which includes using one that is the right size. Condoms come in different widths and lengths, so it may take a while to find the right condom.
Here are some basic things you can do to make sure youre using a condom properly:
- use a new condom each time you have sex
- put the condom on as soon as an erection occurs and before any sexual contact
- avoid using an oil-based lubricant, such as Vaseline or baby oil, which can weaken the condom and increase the chances of it splitting water-based lubricants are best and can be bought at most supermarkets or pharmacies
- the man should withdraw from his partner immediately after ejaculating, holding the condom firmly to keep it from slipping off
How To Actually Prevent Stds
The only acceptable prevention that is 100% strategically effective is also Catholic approved! Abstain from sexual activity before marriage, and if you marry, be faithful for life to your spouse.
You care about your physical welfare. But the Catholic Church, knowing the science, isnt just trying to spoil your fun but teach the Truth that is, respect yourself, your spouse if you have one, for everyone is made in the image and likeness of God. Sexual intimacy is not for selfish gratification, but unifies husband and wife and is open to children. The human family is actually so beautiful, the only way to preserve it is to care for your souls as well as your bodies. On this site we have many, many articles explaining why contraception is not only unhealthy but spiritually harmful. Remember, if there is no such thing in life as a free lunch, do you honestly believe sexual gratification would come without harmful consequences?
Part of the difficulty in conveying a message of abstinence to the new generation is that due to medical progress, the younger population does not recall the scare when HIV-AIDS was causing horrendous numbers of deaths. Now that an HIV diagnosis is not equatable to a death sentence, many engage in promiscuous sexual activity that in no way honors the true purpose of sexual intimacy, that is to be held for the marital embrace, where husband and wife beautifully become one.
Don’t Miss: Atlanta Hiv Rate 2017
Consistency Of Condom Use
How consistent was consistent condom use? Over the whole length of the studies, not very. Two-thirds of men reported using condoms 100% of the time for at least one six-month slot during the two trials: but only 16.4% reported using them in every single six-month slot, i.e. truly consistently. Conversely, while only 5% of men reported never using condoms for the whole length of the studies, 40% reported never using them for at least one six-month period.
In the same session, Bob Grant, lead investigator of the iPrEx PrEP trial, showed an interesting slide showing selected condom careers in individual trial participants and showed a whole variety of different use patterns over time, with the only consistent factor being no consistency.
There are a couple of important considerations to apply the CDC studys conclusions. One is that social desirability bias almost certainly means that men’s reported use of condoms was higher than it really was. This would mean the figures would tend to underestimate condom efficacy in the men who really did use condoms 100% of the time.
On the other hand, since only a minority of men in the studies did use condoms 100% of the time, these computed efficacy figures for condoms have to be divided by the fraction who actually did use them, resulting in lower effectiveness than this in actually preventing HIV on a population level.
Condoms In The Real World Fail A Lot
The oft-quoted statistic that condoms are 98% effective is misleading because the tests that produced that data were conducted under laboratory conditions which do not accurately reflect the real world.
According to Contraceptive Technology, the real-world success rate of condoms in preventing pregnancy is 85% over one year for couples who use condoms 100% of the time.1 What does that mean? Every condom failure may not lead to pregnancy but it does post a risk for HIV exposure. The 15% failure rate over one year increases with time, reaching 56% at five years and 80% at 10 years.
Correct condom use is uncommon because it is complicated and involves significant attention to detail in moments when one is strongly distracted. A 2012 synthesis of 50 studies on condom use errors identified more than ten potential user errors, in addition to the issues of fit, slippage and breakage that are inherent to the condom itself.2 Several user errors were found to be extremely common, including failure to lubricate the condom , incorrect withdrawal , and incorrect storage .3 These error rates are recorded from populations in the USA, Canada, and the British Isles, where education about correct condom use is relatively widely accessible.
The HIV virus.
Don’t Miss: What Does Antiretroviral Therapy Do Brainly
World Aids Day : Precautions To Prevent Transmission Of Hiv While Engaging In Sexual Activity
Some common ways through which HIV spreads are unprotected sex or through sharing a piece of injection equipment with an HIV-positive patient.
Representational image. PTI
World AIDS Day is observed on 1 December every year to raise awareness about Human Immunodeficiency Virus which is a major public health issue. The day was first observed in the year 1988 and is an opportunity for people to unite in fighting against the virus, supporting those living with HIV, and knowing facts on how to protect themselves.
Some common ways through which HIV spreads are unprotected sex or through sharing a piece of injection equipment with an HIV-positive patient.
If you are living with HIV, you can engage in sexual activity by taking precautions to prevent transmission through these methods:
TAGS:
How Can I Make Condoms More Effective
The best way to make condoms work as well as possible is to use them correctly every single time you have vaginal, oral, and anal sex. That means wearing it the whole time, from start to finish. Make sure the condom is rolled on your penis the right way before theres any skin-to-skin genital contact. Read more about how to use condoms correctly.
Using condoms + another form of birth control is a great way to get extra pregnancy prevention AND protection against STDs. Using withdrawal while also wearing a condom can help keep sperm out of the vagina and lower the risk for pregnancy.
You shouldnt use a condom worn on the penis together with a internal condom. Condoms are designed to be used on their own, and doubling up wont necessarily give you extra protection. One condom used correctly is all the protection you need. Also make sure your condoms aren’t expired check the date on the wrapper or box.
Don’t Miss: How Long Does Hiv Last
Are Some Types Of Condoms Better At Preventing Hiv
To use condoms to effectively prevent HIV, its important to note the material of the condom. Always use condoms made from latex or a synthetic material like polyurethane.
Since lambskin condoms are more porous than other types of condoms, viruses can pass through. For this reason, they do not prevent HIV.
Additionally, some condoms may come coated with a spermicide, which is a chemical that works to kill sperm. One of the most common spermicides is called nonoxynol-9.
Condoms And Antiretroviral Therapy
HIV is treated with antiretroviral drugs. These are medications that are taken daily to help prevent the virus from replicating and further weakening the immune system.
A large 2016 study looked at HIV transmission risk in 888 heterosexual and 340 MSM couples who were not using condoms. In the study, one partner was HIV-negative, and the other partner had HIV with an undetectable viral load and was taking antiretroviral drugs.
During 2 years of follow-up with 58,000 reported condomless sex acts, no HIV transmission from HIV-positive partners to HIV-negative partners was seen.
This ties into the concept of undetectable = untransmissible . Taking antiretroviral drugs daily as prescribed can reduce viral load to undetectable levels in
A big part of a condoms effectiveness at preventing HIV has to do with using it correctly. Now lets examine how to put on and remove a condom if you have a penis.
Don’t Miss: Free Hiv Testing Planned Parenthood
How To Use Condoms If You Have A Vagina
Condoms are also available for people with a vagina. These products are often called internal condoms or female condoms.
Studies have suggested that internal condoms have a similar effectiveness to external condoms. However, so far, no studies directly compare the effectiveness of external and internal condoms.
Lets examine how to use internal condoms.
What If I Have More Questions
Safe sex can be a tricky subject, and it’s so important to be well-prepared before you engage in intercourse because the risks are so high. If you have more questions, or if you just want to talk out your options with someone, Dr. Bhuyan suggests heading to your doctor.
“I don’t want people to be living in fear and I want them to know that you can be empowered to control your own sexual health,” she says. “There are so many options out there for us and it’s important to learn about them.”
Follow Carolyn on .
Don’t Miss: Does Hiv Cause Hair Loss
Do Condoms Prevent Stds
Sexually Transmitted Diseases have been a significant problem for the human race in the last century, as distances have been reduced due to the growth of technology. The common belief is that Trojan condoms are excellent when it comes to preventing STDs, but this is not entirely true. Some diseases can be transmitted even when these products are used. This happens when that appears skin-to-skin contact with a person who has been infected with an STD. This is possible when items such as Trojan condoms do not protect body parts.
The primary function of these Trojan condoms is to prevent bodily fluids like blood, semen, and vaginal fluids from coming into contact with the other individuals. It is meant to protect the individual who is wearing the product from acquiring an infection from the other partner.
For those wondering: do condoms protect against HIV?, the answer would be dependent on the level of attention given so that the product manages to protect all contact areas. The prevention capabilities are also reliant on the type of material used. The Trojan condoms made out of latex materials will be able to provide 100% protection. At the same time, the products are made out of polyisoprene. Polyurethane is also able to shine in this regard. However, natural products that are made out of lambskin are not meant to offer protection, as they have pores that can be penetrated by bacteria and viruses.
Are There Risks From Using A Condom To Prevent Hiv
Overall, condoms are a highly effective way to help prevent the transmission of HIV through sex. However, there are some risks associated with using condoms that its important to be aware of:
- Breakage. As we discussed earlier, its possible for condoms to break during sex, which can lead to exposure to bodily fluids containing HIV. When using condoms, always take steps to prevent breakage.
- Latex allergy. Latex condoms can cause an allergic reaction in people with a latex allergy. To help with this, condoms made from synthetic materials like polyurethane or polyisoprene are also available.
- Certain STIs. While condoms can prevent HIV and many other STIs when used consistently and correctly, they may not prevent some STIs that are transmitted by skin-to-skin contact. Examples include HPV and genital herpes.
Read Also: Does Hiv Make Your Hair Fall Out
So How Effective Are Male Condoms
The best evidence we have on the effectiveness of male condoms comes from an analysis of 14 observational studies that enrolled heterosexual serodiscordant couples . The analysis compared the rate of HIV transmission between couples who said they always used male condoms to the rate among couples who said they never used male condoms. The analysis found that the rate of HIV transmission was 80% lower among couples who reported always using condoms.
For many people working in HIV prevention, an 80% effectiveness rate may be lower than you thought or have previously told clients and patients. However, it is important to consider the limitations of this analysis when interpreting its results. There are three reasons why this analysis may make condoms look less effective than they can be:
Given these limitations, the estimate of 80% likely does not reflect how effective condoms can be in preventing heterosexual HIV transmission. If used consistently and correctly, condom effectiveness is likely much higher.