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Everything You Need to Know About Condoms


If used consistently (every time you have sex) and correctly, latex condoms do significantly reduce the risk for HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Condoms are not 100% protection however. When condoms fail, it is usually due to people not using them correctly, or not using them every time they have sex.
If you're having intercourse make sure you use a latex condom. Natural Membrane or Animal Skin condoms are not nearly as good as latex condoms.

How do you use a condom? For starters, practice makes perfect. Put a condom on as soon as your (or his) penis gets hard. Make sure your condom is always slicked up with a water-based lubricant, or lube, like K-Y jelly, so that the penis can enter smoothly and the condom isn't likely to slide off. Vaseline, butter, Crisco, hand cream or anything that contains oil can make your condom break and should be avoided. Pinch the tip of the condom before putting it on and squeeze the air out of the tip of the condom. Make sure you smooth down the condom really well so that there are no air bubbles in it. If you want to be really careful, use an extra strong condom.
When you are finished having sex, take the condom off while the penis is still hard. Hold the open end of the condom, at the base of the penis, while the penis comes out. This prevents any semen from leaking out or the condom being left behind in the partner. Throw the condom out, being careful not to spill any semen. Never use a condom more than once. Never flush a condom down the toilet. Always wash your hands with soap and water before returning to your partner.

If one partner is allergic to latex, use a natural condom and a latex one, keeping the natural one next to the skin of the allergic partner. All condom packages should carry an expiry date. Throw them away if the date is past. Never store condoms in direct sunlight. Some safer sex pamphlets suggest using condoms or lubes that contain a spermicide called nonoxynol-9. Recent studies have shown that, although it may give you some protection against sexually transmitted diseases, it doesn't appear to lower the risk of passing on HIV. And it can cause skin irritation. This could actually increase the chances of a germ getting into your body. So it's probably best to avoid it. The best way to test whether you're going to have a reaction to spermicide or cream is to test it first on the skin on the inside of your wrist.

So remember, Use a latex condom every time you have sexual intercourse.

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