Using Condoms

If you and your partner decide to continue with "penetrative" sex (sexual intercourse), then you need to make it safer by using a condom. Withdrawing the penis before ejaculating (cuming) is not safe. Men often leak a few drops of semen before ejaculating, without realizing it.

Condoms can protect against infection (not only HIV but other sexually transmitted diseases). They can also act as a contraceptive, but for increased peace of mind, it would be safer to use another method of contraception as well.

Condoms can break or come off during sex. There can therefore be the risk of pregnancy as well as infection. If you need advice about contraception, telephone your nearest Family Planning Clinic or talk to your family doctor. Condoms may be supplied free at local Family Planning Clinics and some Hemophilia Treatment Centers. They are also available from drugstores, some grocery stores and other retail outlets or from mail order advertisements in newspapers. They are very easy to get and inexpensive.

Try different kinds of condoms. Others may not be reliable enough. Find the kind of condom which fits, feels and looks best to you.

If you choose a condom which is not lubricated, you may find that you need to use K-Y Jelly or other such lubricants to make sexual intercourse easier, a woman's natural lubrication may not be enough. Oil based lubricants such as vaseline or crisco should not be used as they may cause the condom to break.

Some condoms contain a spermicide, which might increase protection against HIV infection.

Rectal (anal) sex carries the highest risk of infection. If you decide to take the risk the best protection is a condom advertised as extra strong, or using two condoms, and withdraw the penis before coming. If one partner is allergic to latex, use a "natural skin" condom in addition to a latex one. Keep the natural condom next to the penis or vagina of the allergic partner.

All condom packets should carry an expiration date. Throw them away if the date is past or if you cannot find a date.

Never use a condom twice, and never store them in direct sunlight.

How to Use A Condom

If you are not used to using condoms it might be a good idea to try them alone at first. Get used to putting them on and to the sensation of wearing one.

Remember:

• Open the packet carefully.
• Hold the closed end between your thumb and forefinger to expel any air.
• Unroll the condom right to the base of the penis.
• An uncircumcised man may need to pull back his foreskin before the condom goes on.
• After ejaculation (cuming), hold the condom firmly around the base of the penis.
• Withdraw the penis from your partner's body before it becomes soft making sure that the condom is still in place on the penis.
• Take the condom off carefully, wrap it in a tissue and flush it down the toilet.

Getting used to condoms can take time and practice. Enjoy putting them on together. Think up different ways of putting them on. Play with them. Get used to them. You may like to try condoms with different colors, shapes or flavors.

When making condoms part of love-making try to keep a supply close at hand to avoid interruptions.