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HERE IS
EVERY
THING YOU WANTED TO KNOW ABOUT CONDOMS
How
do condoms protect against HIV / STDs and pregnancy ?
Condom is very
effective and reducing the risk of being infected with HIV during sexual
intercourse. Using a condom also provides protection against other
sexually transmitted diseases and protection against pregnancy.
The evidence for
this is clearest in studies of couples in which one person is infected
with HIV and other not i.e. "discordant couples". In a study of
discordant couples in Europe among 123 couples who reported consistent
condom use, none of the uninfected partners became infected. In contrast,
among the 122 couples who used condoms inconsistently, 12 of the
uninfected partners became infected.
In the laboratory,
latex condoms are very effective at blocking transmission of HIV because
pores in latex condoms are too small to allow the virus to pass through.
However outside of the laboratory condoms are less effective because
people do not always use condoms properly.
What
are condoms made off?
Condoms are made of
latex (rubber) or polyurethane. Latex condoms are most effective against
HIV and are commonly used. Lubrication on condoms also varies. Some
condoms are not lubricated at all, some are lubricated with a silicone
substance & some condoms have a water-based lubricant. The lubrication
on condoms aims to make the condoms easier to put on and more comfortable
to use.
Polyurethane condoms
are thinner than latex condoms and so they increase sensitivity and more
agreeable in feel and appearance to some users. They are also useful to
those people who are allergic to latex. But a disadvantage is that they
are much more likely to break than latex condoms.
How
do I use a condom?
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