Condom Considerations
Of course, the safest sex is no sex. But latex prophylactics offer a high degree of protection against sexually transmitted diseases. Here are some basics you should know.
Life is full of surprises. Just when you think you’re too old to worry about dating, much less sexually transmitted diseases, your world turns topsy-turvy, and you find yourself in the market for reliable protection. Enter an old standby: the condom. Used consistently and correctly, condoms offer highly effective protection against STDs. You just have to know a few basics.
Risky Business
Ah, dating. It’s like being a teenager again, except today sex is potentially deadly. Consider this: AIDS is increasing dramatically among women older than 50, and older women are less likely to protect themselves during high-risk sex than are younger people.
The United States has the highest rate of STDs in the industrialized world, and AIDS is only one of them. So before you have sex, it’s wise to know your partner well. It’s even wiser to use a condom.
The Right Stuff
You haven’t bought a condom in years. OK, you admit it; you’ve never bought one.
Here’s what to look for: the words “For disease prevention” on the package, an unmet expiration date and latex. Latex condoms are the only condoms proven to prevent the transmission of HIV. You should also avoid novelty condoms, but ribbing and color choice are up to you.
As for other features, the words “stronger” or “more sensitive” don’t guarantee more or less protection. Thinner condoms, however, could be more prone to tearing.
When it comes to condoms, size matters. Too tight and a condom is more likely to break; too big and it might slip off. Although there are female condoms, they’re more difficult to use and haven’t proven as effective against STDs as male condoms.
The Right Way
Using condoms isn’t complicated. Keep these tips in mind:
* Heat, including body heat, causes latex to deteriorate, so store condoms in a cool, dry place. Forget about using the one your guy keeps in his wallet in his back pocket.
* Use only water-based lubricants. Petroleum jelly and baby oil break down latex.
* Use a new condom every time you have sex.
* To use the condom, open the package carefully. Gently press the air out of the condom’s tip, then place it rolled up over the firm penis. The rolled rim should be on the outside. Unroll the condom down the penis. If your partner is uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin before putting on the condom. If the condom doesn’t have a “reservoir” tip, leave a half-inch space at the tip for semen to collect. Smooth out air bubbles.
* After intercourse, have your partner hold the condom at the rim and withdraw slowly while he’s still firm to prevent spilling.
Lifesavers
Nothing but abstinence offers complete protection from STDs, but condoms can go a long way toward keeping you safe. For more information on condoms, visit the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s Web site at https://www.fda.gov/oashi/aids/condom.htmlor Mayo Health O@sis at https://www.mayohealth.org.