The use of condoms and female condoms during sexual intercourse (vaginal oder anal) prevents HIV infections and reduces the risk of catching other sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Condoms and female condoms also prevent unintentional pregnancies.
If you want to know your HIV status, an HIV test can be conducted at a public health department. This blood test is anonymous and mostly free of charge. The test result will not be revealed to anyone but you.
A condom is made from a very thin natural rubber (latex) and put on the penis before sex.
Condoms make people feel safe during sex and enable them to enjoy their sexuality free from worries. Condoms are easy and safe to use. It is always advisable to use a condom, no matter whether you are in a new or in a longterm relationship or if just met the person you are intimate with.
If two people want to have sex, one of them puts the condom on the erect penis. Always put the condom on before the penis touches a woman’s or man’s genitals or bottom. Condoms act as a thin barrier, avoiding the exchange of body fluids and collecting the semen after the ejaculation. They are hardly noticeable during sex.
Condoms prevent the sexual transmission of HIV which is the cause of AIDS.
Individuals with HIV have to take medication on a daily basis for the rest of their lives. The medication cannot cure HIV but it can avert HIV from developing into AIDS.
The use of condoms can also reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that might lead to infertility or serious health problems. Another benefit of condoms is the prevention of unintentional pregnancies.
A condom placed on the penis prevents the transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during oral contact with the penis.
This measure is not necessary to avoid the transmission of HIV as long as only preejaculate but no sperm gets into the mouth. To lower the risk of getting an STI during oral contact with the vagina, a condom can be unrolled over two fingers and cut open on the side to make a rectangle that is placed on the vagina. This measure is not necessary to avoid the transmission of HIV as long as no blood gets into the mouth.
If sex toys are used for different orifices or shared between partners they should always be cleaned with soap or covered with a condom first. This can prevent infections.
