Safer Sex
Protect yourself and your partner. Safer sex is the key to staying healthy and stopping the HIV epidemic in its tracks. Here are several safer sex resources to help you get started.
Staying Safe When Romance Blooms
So when love in your life is beginning to blossom. Romance abounds and the hormones are running on high. Before taking that next step, remember the key to staying healthy is staying sexually safe. Not only are you doing yourself a favor, you are also expressing your love in the most magnificent way...wanting to keep your partner safe.
Prevention of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases is paramount to those who want to stay healthy, even those already infected with HIV. The need for protection does not cease after one becomes HIV infected. Reinfection through unprotected sexual encounters makes treatment of existing HIV disease all the more difficult. In addition becoming infected with other STD's such as syphilis or gonorrhea is detrimental to the health of anyone, especially those living with HIV.
To Protect Your Partner From Contracting STD's and HIV.
Condoms
Latex condoms provide the most effective means of preventing HIV and STD transmission through sexual encounters. But to be effective, condoms must be used correctly.
Ø An erect penis can leak seminal fluid prior to ejaculation. This fluid can contain infectious organisms that have the ability to cause infection in others. For this reason, condoms must be applied onto the penis prior to any oral, vaginal, or anal contact is made.
Ø Condoms can break, allowing seminal fluids to leak. To reduce the possibility of this occurring, a water based lubricant must be used to decrease friction during intercourse.
Keep Three Very Important Things In Mind.
ü First oil based lubricants such as baby oil, Vaseline, or certain lotions can weaken a condom and should never be used.
ü Second, sheepskin condoms do not provide an effective barrier to HIV and other STD's.
ü Finally, spermacides, such as nonoxynol-9 increase the risk of HIV transmission and should never be used.
Condoms are effective in preventing HIV and other STDs.
The correct and consistent use of latex condoms during sexual intercourse- vaginal, anal, or oral-can greatly reduce a person’ s risk of acquiring or transmitting most STDs, including HIV infection, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomonas, human papilloma virus infection (HPV), and hepatitis B.
Protecting yourself and others against STDs is important because many of these diseases have serious complications. Protecting yourself and others against HIV is important because it is life threatening and has no cure.
Laboratory studies show that latex condoms are effective barriers to HIV and other STDs. In addition, several studies provide compelling evidence that latex condoms are highly effective in protecting against HIV infection when used for every act of intercourse. This protection is most evident from studies of couples in which one member is infected with HIV and the other is not, i.e., "discordant couples."
Condoms are classified as medical devices and are regulated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Every latex condom manufactured in the United States is tested for defects before it is packaged. During the manufacturing process, condoms are double-dipped in latex and tested electronically for holes.
Several studies clearly show that condom breakage rates in this country are less than 2%. Most of the breakage and slippage likely is due to incorrect use rather than poor condom quality. Using oil-based lubricants can weaken latex, causing the condom to break. In addition, condoms can be weakened by exposure to heat or sunlight or by age, or they can be torn by teeth or fingernails. Studies also indicate that condoms slip off the penis in about 1-5% of acts of vaginal intercourse and slip down (but not off) about 3-13% of the time.
Condoms Users Have Product Options.
Latex condoms for men.
Latex condoms are made of a particular kind of rubber. Laboratory studies show that intact latex condoms provide a highly effective barrier to sperm and micro-organisms, including HIV and the much smaller hepatitis B virus. Their effectiveness has been proven over many years. Use only water-based lubricants with latex condoms.
Synthetic condoms.
For people who are allergic to latex, several new types of materials are being used to make condoms. One new type is polyurethane, a soft plastic. Another new type is Tactylon TM *, a synthetic latex. Lab tests have shown that both these materials provide an effective barrier against sperm, bacteria, and viruses such as HIV.
Polyurethane condoms for women.
The female condom (Reality TM* ) fits inside the vagina and covers some of the area outside of the vagina. It also is made of polyurethane. When a male condom cannot be used, couples should consider using a female condom.
There are two important points to consider with polyurethane condoms:
§ Unlike latex condoms, synthetic condoms such as male and female polyurethane condoms can be used with either water-based or oil-based lubricants.
§ Although not as thoroughly tested as latex condoms, synthetic condoms likely provide similar protection.
Lambskin condoms.
These condoms are made from animal membranes that contain tiny holes. While they can prevent pregnancy, they should not be used for STD or HIV prevention because viruses may be able to pass through these holes.
Novelty condoms.
Novelty (play) condoms are for sexual amusement only. The FDA does not allow them to be labeled as condoms, and they should never be used for STD/HIV or pregnancy prevention.
Oral protection.
Even though their risk is less than with unprotected anal and vaginal sex, people who engage in oral sex can reduce their risk of getting HIV or another STD by placing a barrier over the vagina or anus. In addition to the male condom, a product designed to reduce the risk of acquiring an STD during oral sex is now being sold in the United States. The Sheer Glyde Dam TM* is a 10" x 6" latex sheet that the FDA has authorized for marketing in the United States. Plastic food wrap, dental dams (pieces of latex used by dentists), and condoms that have been cut open all have been used to cover the vagina or anus during oral sex, although there is no information about how well these materials work.
Prevention Is Cost-Effective.
STDs, including HIV infection, are preventable, and condoms represent an effective prevention tool. A recent analysis estimated that, for high-risk heterosexual men, the societal savings (in health care costs and productivity) per condom was $27, and for men who have sex with men, the savings per condom was more than $530 when condoms were used consistently and correctly with multiple partners.
Proper And Effective Use Of Condom
The Female Condom
While data on the effectiveness of the female condom is limited it is a good alternative for a woman whose partner is reluctant to wear a condom or is unable to due to a latex allergy. Female condoms allow a woman to assume control over safe sex. Slipping inside the vagina, the female condom provides a lubricated barrier that is stronger than latex. It can be inserted up to eight hours prior to intercourse, providing for the spontaneity that often is lost with latex condoms.
Dental Dams
Dental dams are rectangular squares of latex that are used during oral sex, both oral-vaginal and oral-anal. During sex, latex dams are stretched across your partner's genitals to prevent your tongue from touching your partner's bodily secretions. They are effective method of disease prevention, but can be difficult to hold in place. A dab of water soluble lubricant placed on the genital side of the dam can help hold it in place.
Remember, as romance blooms and temperatures begin to rise, keep in mind that staying healthy and living life to its fullest depends on the proper and consistent use of protection. Being safe does not mean losing intimacy. Being safe means staying alive.
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