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STD Prevention Through
Education. Limited Testing,
and Treatment
Page 2


What You Need To Know About Condoms
Tips for proper condom use Using a condom correctly and consistently is you best bet against protecting yourself and your partner against STDs and pregnancy.

Here is some advice from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention:
  • Use a condom for every act of intercourse.

  • If the penis is uncircumcised, pull the foreskin back before putting the condom on.

  • Put the condom on after the penis is erect (hard) and before any contact is made between the condom and any part of your partner's body.

  • If using a spermicide, put some inside the condom
    tip.


  • If the condom doesn't have a resevoir tip, pinch the tip enough to leave a half-inch space for semen to collect.

  • While pinching the half-inch tip, place the condom to the base. Put more spermicide or lubricant on the outside.

  • If you feel a condom break while you are having
    sex, stop immediately and pull out. Do not continue
    until you have put on a new condom and used more
    spermicide.

  • After ejaculation and before the penis gets soft,
    grip the rim of the condom and carefully withdraw
    from your partner.

  • To remove the condom from the penis, pull it off
    gently, being careful semen doesnt spill.

  • Wrap the used condom in a tissue and throw it in
    the trash where others won't handle it. Because
    condoms may cause problems in sewers, don't flush
    them down the toilet.

  • Finally, be aware of drugs and alcohol. They can
    affect your judgment, so you may forget to use a
    condom. They may even affect your ability to use a
    condom properly.

 

 Alternatives to latex condoms For couples who are allergic to latex or for women who want more control over STD protection, there are several alternatives to male latex condoms.
As of this year there are now two plastic male condoms on the market: Avanti, from the maker of Durex condoms; and Supra, from the maker of Trojan condoms.
Both condoms are similar in design to latex condoms but are made from polyurethane, the same material that is used in plastics. In addition to being latex-free, they are clear, odorless, and can be used with oil-based lubricants.
The condoms are more expensive than latex but the price is expected to go down as they become more popular. Unfortunately, there are not enough studies of the condoms to say how effective they are against pregnancy or STDs.
One study of the Avanti condom showed that it offers the same protection for pregnancy as latex condoms but has a higher breakage rate. Similar studies for the Supra condom have not yet been published.
Since 1992, the female condom has been available in this country. Its unique design allows women to place it in their vagina before sex. Called Reality Female Condom, it is sold in most drug stores,
Because it is so different from male condoms, be sure to read the directions carefully. Improper use of the female condom largely accounts for the fact that its pregnancy rate is higher than for male condoms.

Resources for Condoms

CDC National AIDS Hotline

1-800-342-2437
1-800-344-7432 (Spanish)

CDC National AIDS
Clearinghouse

PO. Box 6003
Rockville, MD 20849-6003

The Condom Resource
Center

Oakland, CA (510-533-3412)
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