Do Condoms Prevent STDs?

Condoms are often one of the first forms of protection we learn about in childhood. Some of us learned about it in sex classes at school, when a clumsy gym teacher instructed us on the best way to put a condom on a piece of fruit. Some of us learned from our parents who came into our bedrooms, handed us a book about sex and a pack of condoms, asking us, “Please, oh, please, don’t get pregnant, or get someone else pregnant.” The least fortunate among us may have simply heard about condoms through pop culture. We may have learned about their uses, but less about how and why they are important during sex.

However we were first introduced to them, condoms are often seen as an effective family planning tool. What do we know about its effectiveness in preventing infections? Can condoms prevent STDs?

What is a condom and how does it work?

Condoms are one of the oldest and most popular forms of STD prevention in the world. They are made of a thin piece of material – usually latex, but sometimes polyurethane – that creates a barrier between partners, their genitals, and other parts of their bodies that may be exposed to the genitals.

Using a barrier method, such as condoms or dental dams, can help protect partners from exposure to various bodily fluids they don’t want to exchange: whether that’s pre-ejaculate, vaginal lubrication, semen, or blood. All four of these fluids can contain and transmit sexually transmitted viruses, bacteria, and parasites. It’s important to practice safer sex and use a barrier method until you and your partner have been tested and you feel comfortable sharing fluids.

Some couples will use condoms throughout their relationship, regardless of relationship status, the amount of time they spend together, and whether they show signs of STD symptoms. Safer sex and condom use can involve personal boundaries and respect as well as protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. You should never feel pressured by partners or societal pressure to give up safer sex practices. If someone is pressuring you not to use condoms for any reason, it could be a warning sign that you are not respecting your personal boundaries. First and foremost, do what feels comfortable and good for your body.

Types of condoms

Although the word condom has often become synonymous with the external condom (also known as the male condom), condoms are not just for penises. The internal condom (also known as the female condom) is another type of condom that is equally effective at creating a barrier between partners. The internal condom is a type of condom that, instead of being slipped over the outside of a penis as a sheath, is inserted into a vagina to create a protective barrier. If external condoms are not suitable for you and your partners, internal condoms should be considered as another good option to have safer sex.

Dental dams are another type of barrier device often associated with safer sex practices. These small sheets made of latex or polyurethane are often used during oral sex and are placed as a barrier between the mouth and the vagina or anus. Dental mothers can be purchased or they can also be made from external condoms for people with some creativity and a do-it-yourself spirit.

How do I use condoms effectively?

It is important to use condoms safely and correctly to achieve the most effective barrier method. The answer to the question of whether condoms prevent STDs will depend greatly on how they are used.

Here are some instructions on how to use condoms effectively to prevent STDs or pregnancy.

The DO’s and DON’T’s of condom use:

• DOING read the instructions on the package and check the expiration date.
• DOING check the condom for tears or defects.
• DOING use water-based personal lubricants to prevent slipping or tearing.
• DOING use a condom every time you have sex.
• DOING use the condom the entire time you have sex, from start to finish. Removing the condom at any point during sex can make its use ineffective.
• DOING use latex or polyurethane condoms to prevent STDs. Although lambskin condoms provide some protection against pregnancy, they are too porous to provide an effective barrier in preventing STDs.
• DOING store condoms in a cool, dry place.
• DO NOT use an external and internal condom together or more than one external or internal condom. Only use one at a time.
• DO NOT reuse condoms. Condoms are for single use. If at any time a condom needs to be removed, throw it away and put on a new condom.
• DO NOT flush condoms down the toilet. This can cause plumbing problems that you, your parents, or your landlord may not be happy about.
• DO NOT use oil-based personal lubricants with latex condoms. These can weaken the latex of the condom and cause it to break. If you use an oil-based lubricant, make sure you only use polyurethane condoms, as this material does not break down when exposed to oil like latex condoms do. To ensure you are protected regardless of the type of condom you use, it is best to use water- or silicone-based lubricant.

How to use an external condom

1. Carefully open the package and remove the condom from the package.
2. Place the condom over the tip of the erect penis. If the penis is uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first.
3. Squeeze the end, or reservoir, of the condom to remove any air trapped in it.
4. Unroll the condom along the shaft of the penis.
5. After sex, hold the base of the condom before removing it. This will help prevent the condom from slipping and fluids from escaping.
6. Carefully remove the condom and throw it in a trash can.

How to use an internal condom

1. Carefully open the package and remove the condom from the package.
2. The closed inner ring is intended for placement in the vagina and keeps the condom in place. The thinner outer ring remains outside the body and covers the vaginal opening.
3. Holding the closed end of the condom, pinch the sides of the inner ring with your thumb and index finger and insert it into the vagina, similar to inserting a tampon.
4. Use your fingers to push the condom as far into your vagina as possible until it rests comfortably against your cervix. The condom expands, but you may not feel this.
5. Check the condom and make sure it is not twisted, with the outer ring still outside the body and against the vulva.
6. If your partner has a penis, guide the penis into your vagina through the opening of the internal condom. If you feel the condom slipping and the outer ring of the condom starting to push into your vagina, stop having sex immediately.
7. To remove the condom, gently twist the outer ring to seal the contents of the condom and pull the internal condom out of your vagina before standing up. Throw away the condom in the nearest trash can.

How to use a dental dam

1. Carefully remove the dental dam from the packaging to avoid tearing.
2. Place the dental dam over the vulva or anus and hold it in place.
3. When you’re done, throw the dental dam in the trash.

Do condoms prevent STDs?

So far in this article we’ve covered a lot, from what condoms are to what they do and how to use them effectively. That leaves us with the final question: Do condoms prevent STDs?

Bottom line: Yes.

Condoms are a very effective tool for preventing STDs/STDs and pregnancy as long as they are used consistently and correctly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued a ruling condoms are an effective tool to prevent STDsas well as other diseases such as Zika and Ebola that can be transmitted through sex.

If you are concerned about using a condom during sex or if you or your partner(s) start showing STD symptoms, it is important to get tested as soon as possible. The sooner you are diagnosed with an STD, the sooner you can find treatment.

Remember these important facts: Many of the most common STDs are treatable, so there’s no reason to feel embarrassed about getting tested and working with a doctor to find the right treatment plan for you. Protect your health.