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STD Prevention Through
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What You Need To Know About Condoms |
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| C for centuries. Long enough, you would think,
for experts to know how well they work. But condoms involve humans
-- not just one but two. And they involve humans doing what humans
do best -- have sex. And sex, alas, is rarely as simple or straightforward
as one might expect. S condoms have gotten more respect. Researchers have spent hundreds of hours and millions of dollars trying to know all there is about this simple device. Like why people don't use them. Why they break. How well they protect against different sexually transmitted diseases (STD,s). Or how new materials, like plastic, and new designs, like baggy tips, can improve the condom experience. RBut so many factors are involved when two humans have intimate contact that it is not easy to sort them out. Nonetheless, they have come to some important conclusions that you need to keep in mind: N is not that I they fail people but that peo ple fail them. Put another way, condoms breaking or leaking account for only a small portion of pregnancies and STDs. The real culprit is people not using them consistently. |
N why
condoms fail (i.e., break, leak, or slip off
during use). Using condoms correctly takes some
practice, yet most couples are on their own in
learning the right technique. Condom failure explains
why up to 15% of couples who use condoms for
contraception will end up pregnant within a year. N Consistent condom use is close to 100% protection against HIV. But some STDs, such as genital herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV), can be spread through skin-to-skin contact. Because condoms do not cover the entire genital area, these STDs can be transmitted even with condom use. Still, most experts agree that condoms do offer some level of protection even against these other STDS. NThe reason is not entirely clear. However, it is well established that women are more prone to STD infection because of their anatomy. This is just one more reason why consistent condom use is important. N Therefore, they are more likely to believe they are free of STDs. N Look at the expiration date on the condom foil. And avoid keeping condoms in your wallet -- the pressure and heat will shorten their life span. |
