Condoms are very effective in preventing a variety of sexually transmitted diseases. When used properly, condoms can protect against STDs like gonorrhea, chlamydia, HPV, and HIV and AIDS. For example, Planned Parenthood reports that when it comes to HIV, using a condom is 10,000 times safer than not using one. Regardless of whether you or your partner has any noticeable symptoms of an STD, it is still possible to transmit an STD during unprotected sex. Many STDs don't have noticeable symptoms but can still be infectious.
Some STDs can be spread through contact with genital secretions and condoms can act as a form of barrier during sexual activity. Other STDs are spread through skin-to-skin contact, and condoms can only prevent those if the infected skin is covered by the condom.
Sexually transmitted diseases can lead to a variety of different medical issues. For example, HPV increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Sexually transmitted diseases can be spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex, so it's always important to wear a condom during every sexual encounter in order to protect yourself from contracting an STD.
Some STDs can be spread through contact with genital secretions and condoms can act as a form of barrier during sexual activity. Other STDs are spread through skin-to-skin contact, and condoms can only prevent those if the infected skin is covered by the condom.
Sexually transmitted diseases can lead to a variety of different medical issues. For example, HPV increases the risk of developing cervical cancer.
Sexually transmitted diseases can be spread through vaginal, oral, and anal sex, so it's always important to wear a condom during every sexual encounter in order to protect yourself from contracting an STD.
However, it can be challenging to talk about using condoms with your partner; but, you shouldn't let embarrassment become a health risk. The person you are thinking about having sex with may not agree at first when you say that you want to use a condom when you have sex. These are some excuses and some answers that you could try…
Excuse: I am afraid to ask him to use a condom. He’ll think I don’t trust him.
Answer: If you can’t ask him, you probably don’t trust him.
Excuse: It is up to him…it is his decision.
Answer: It is your health. It “should” be your decision too!
Excuse: I’m on the pill, you don’t need a condom.
Answer: I’d like to use one anyway. It will help to protect us from infections we may not know we have.
Excuse: Don’t you trust me?
Answer: Trust isn’t the point. People can have reflections without releasing it.
Excuse: I can’t feel a thing when I wear a condom;
Answer: Maybe that way you will last even longer and that will make up for it.
Excuse: It does not feel as good with a condom.
Answer: I’ll feel more relaxed. If I am more relaxed, I can make it feel better for you.
Excuse: I don’t stay hard when I put on a condom.
Answer: I’ll help you put it on and that will help you keep it hard.
Excuse: I don’t have a condom with me.
Answer: I do.
Excuse: It just isn’t as sensitive and I can’t feel a thing.
Answer: Maybe that way you will last even longer and that will make up for it.
Excuse: Putting it on interrupts everything.
Answer: Not if I help you put it on.
Excuse: I guess you don’t really love me.
Answer: I do; but, I am not risking my future to prove it.
Excuse: I will pull out in time.
Answer: Women can still get pregnant and get an STI from pre-ejaculate (pre-cum).
Excuse: But I love you.
Answer: Then you’ll help us to protect ourselves.
Excuse: Just this once.
Answer: Once is all it takes.
Excuse: I am not having sex with a condom, period.
Answer: Then “No raincoat, No playing in the rain, period. Take it or leave, period.
Here are some guidelines for proper use:
➥Use only latex or polyurethane condoms.
➥When having vaginal or anal intercourse, make sure the condom has nonoxynol-9.
➥When the condom is on the penis, there should be about a half-inch of space left at the condom tip to hold the ejaculation.
➥Withdraw the penis soon after ejaculation. Hold the base of the condom firmly against the penis as it is withdrawn so the condom does not come off.
➥Use foam, spermicide, or a female condom in combination with a condom.
➥Check for possible breaks immediately after the use of any condom.
➥Always use a water-based lubricant such as K-Y jelly. Vaseline or other oil-based lubricants can cause the condom to break down and become ineffective.
➥Never reuse a condom.