Use Condoms Right! Stop the Spread of HIV

About two-thirds of people living with AIDS in the U.S. were exposed to the disease during sexual intercourse. Condom use has been proven to reduce the odds of transmission by 80-95%, so it stands to reason that medical practitioners urge the public to increase vigilance with condoms. Careful and consistent condom use can significantly reduce the risk of all STDs, including HIV and AIDS.

Of course we all know how condoms work, but when’s the last time you reviewed your method? If it’s been a while, don’t worry. We’ve got a refresher course mapped out for you below. We also wanted to let you know that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration now recommends using a personal lubricant with condoms in order to reduce breakage. Lubricants are also recommended for use with female condoms to maximize STD and pregnancy prevention.

Education starts with the individual. Even experienced sexually active adults can benefit from brushing up on their protocol. Beyond HIV and AIDS, condoms prevent lots of other nasty infections like gonorrhea, Syphilis and Chlamydia. Do yourself a favor and get re-acquainted with the facts about safe sex.

Male Condom How-to Refresher:

• Be careful when you open the condom package as you don’t want to tear the condom with your fingernail, teeth or scissors. Gently tear from one corner to be sure you avoid a rip.
• Place the condom over the tip of the erect penis, pinching the end to create a reservoir tip if there isn’t one already built into the design. If you are not circumcised, pull the head of the penis back before putting the condom on.
• Roll the condom down the length of the penis until the whole shaft is covered. Do not pull it on like a sock as you could cause strain on the material where your fingers pull. If the condom doesn’t roll down easily, you may have it ‘inside out’. Just start over and try again.
• Apply water-based or silicone personal lubricant after the condom is on completely.
• After intercourse, pull out of your partner before the penis softens, as this is when slippage is most likely. Hold the condom rim firmly at the base of the penis as you do so to avoid any spillage.
• Wrap the condom in a tissue and throw it away in the trash, not into the toilet.
• Wash your hands thoroughly with soap and water.

Female Condom How-to Refresher:

• Open the package carefully to prevent tearing of the condom material.
• To insert the female condom, you’ll want to sit, squat, lie down, or raise a leg for comfortable insertion. 
• Add lubricant to the condom or to the penis to make sure you reduce friction that could cause tears or slippage during sex.
• Hold the inner ring (at the closed end of the sheath) and squeeze it until it becomes long and narrow, then insert it into the vagina. Push the ring as far in as it will go, making sure that the condom doesn’t twist.
• The outer ring remains outside of the vagina. Guide the penis into the condom for intercourse. More lubricant will help the condom stay in place during sex.
• After intercourse, remove the female condom before standing up. Squeeze and twist the outer ring, pulling it out gently to keep from spilling any semen.
• Wrap the condom in a tissue and throw it away, not into the toilet.
• Wash your hands with soap and water.

Now that you’re back up to speed on how to use condoms, give a quick read to these do’s and don’ts to make sure you’re not damaging the condoms inadvertently or keeping them past their due date!

Condom Do’s and Don’ts

DO

• Store condoms in a cool, dry place. Exposure to heat, air and light makes them brittle.
• Use water-based or silicone lubricants with your latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants (like baby oil, petroleum jelly or body lotions) damage latex condoms.
• Throw out condoms when their expiry date arrives.
• Use a condom only once.
• Use a new condom for each sex act.
• Use thicker condoms for anal intercourse.

DON'T

• Don't keep your condoms in your pocket, wallet or in the car glove box where they could be exposed to heat or sharp objects.
• Don’t use condoms with Nonoxynol 9, a spermicide that has recently been found to cause allergic reactions. A welt or sore from an allergic reaction can break the skin, leaving you vulnerable to the transmission of HIV and other STDs.
• Don’t use novelty condoms. If a condom package doesn’t say that it’s meant for prevention of STDs and pregnancy, don’t use it for that purpose.
• Don't use oil-based lubricants that can damage the latex material.
• Don't reuse a condom.
• Don't engage in lengthy and vigorous intercourse.
• Don’t yank the condom on like a sock or you risk unevenness in the material that could cause tears.
• Don't use a condom if it feels sticky, brittle, looks off color, or has come from a broken package.
• Don't use flavored condoms for vaginal or anal sex. They are meant only for oral sex.

Armed with all this information, you should be ready to practice safe sex every single time. Play safe and have fun!