Information Sheet on Condoms

10 Things You Need to Know About Condoms

1. Condoms don't give 100% protection against STDs, AIDS, or pregnancy - only abstinence can do that!
2. Sex with a condom does feel different BUT not worse.
3. The number[strong] 1[/strong] reason condoms fail is improper use (user error). It is important to now how to use condoms properly.
4. Some of the STDs that condoms can help protect you from are; HIV/AIDS, herpes simplex virus (HSV), human papiloma virus (HPV), cytomegalovirus (CMV), hepatitis B virus (HBV), Chlamydia trachomatis, and Neisseria gonorrhoeae.
5. Latex condoms afford greater protection against viral STDs than natural membrane condoms.
6. Condoms with the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 increase protection against pregnancy.
7. Condom users and/or their partners are less likely to get gonorrhea, ureaplasma infection, pelvic inflammatory disease, and cervical cancer.
8. For STD and HIV/AIDS protection it is essential to use condoms during oral sex.
9. You should NEVER use an oil based lubricant (baby oil, cold cream, vaseline, hand cream or any cooking oil) with a condom since it can cause the latex to break.
10. In one recent U.S. study* about one-half of the sexually experienced teenagers had failed to use a condom the last time they had intercourse.

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