Plague of the 21st century: does a condom protect against HIV? Safe sex - how to protect yourself from sexually transmitted infections and HIV? Do condoms protect against AIDS?

According to the head of the UN HIV program, Michel Sidibé, Russia is one of the top three countries in terms of the number of new cases of infection with the human immunodeficiency virus. The main way of spreading the infection remains sexual contact. The most effective and affordable means of protection is considered to be a condom, although some scientists question this approach.

How effective are condoms in protecting against HIV?

HIV is a retrovirus with a long incubation effect. Today, it is considered proven that the virus is transmitted through contact of the mucous membrane or damaged skin with the biological fluids of an infected person. These liquids include:

• blood;
• lymph;
• pre-seminal fluid;
• sperm;
• vaginal discharge;
• breast milk.

About 60–70% of infections occur during various types of sexual contact:

• vaginal;
• anal;
• oral.

In the latter case, infection is possible only in the presence of wounds and damage in the oral cavity. San Francisco scientists have calculated that the probability of infection from one-time oral sex is only 0.01%. During vaginal sexual intercourse - 0.1%. For anal - 0.5%.

HIV is most often transmitted through sexual contact

Using a condom during sexual relations practically protects against physical contact between mucous membranes, so this contraceptive is currently considered by WHO as the only means of protection against HIV. The organization's specialists believe that it protects by 85%.

However, recently the results of a study by American scientists have been circulating on the Internet, reporting a risk of infection of 31% even if a condom is used. Also, critics of using the latter say that latex has pores with a diameter of about 5 microns. The pores are significantly larger than the size of the virus, which means latex is not able to protect against HIV. Indeed, latex has a porous structure. But it is a multilayer material, and the pores can only connect two adjacent layers. By the way, another popular condom material, polyurethane, has no pores.

A review by the Cochrane Medical Society found that condom reduces the risk of HIV transmission by 80%. And the recommendations of the US Agency for International Development generally call the figure 98%.

Condoms are the main means of protection against HIV

For what reasons may a condom be ineffective?

A condom does not provide 100% protection against HIV due to improper use or leakage. Doing the following increases your chance of infection:

• the condom is not used throughout the entire sexual intercourse;
• the condom is used twice;
• before putting on a condom, the air is not squeezed out of the nipple at its tip;
• The condom is not placed on the erect penis.

Violation of the integrity of the condom is caused by:

• opening the package with sharp objects;
• failure to comply with storage conditions;
• use of products with expired expiration dates;
• the use of additional fat-based lubricants that destroy latex: Vaseline, body cream, massage oil;
• incorrect choice of condom size.

Doctors recommend choosing contraceptives from the middle and high price segments, since their quality, and therefore reliability, is higher. There is also a prevailing opinion that condoms with bumps are more often damaged than smooth ones. According to American studies, the number of condom ruptures during vaginal intercourse is 0.6%, and during anal intercourse - 1–7%. In the latter cases, damage to the mucous membranes occurs more often, which increases the risk of infection several times. This risk also increases in the presence of sexually transmitted infections, as well as in simultaneous sexual relations with several sexual partners.

In Russia over the past two decades, despite the preventive measures taken, there has been a steady increase in the number of HIV-infected people

Doctors' opinions on the use of condoms to protect against HIV

Almost all HIV experts praise the effectiveness of condoms in protecting against infection. The head of the Volgograd Regional Center for the Prevention and Control of AIDS, Oleg Kozyrev, that the virus seems to float in body fluids and is unable to leak anywhere on its own outside the liquid. The condom does not allow fluid to pass through and therefore does not allow HIV to pass through. According to him, there is no one hundred percent guarantee only because the condom sometimes breaks or slips off.

The Chief Physician of the Transbaikal Regional AIDS Center, Elena Mirgorod, shares the same opinion. She says that with modern production technologies, a condom becomes a reliable protection against HIV, but still advises adhering to safer sexual practices.

Assistant of the Department of Gomel State Medical University Alesya Lastochkina says that the experience of combating HIV in African and Asian countries proves, first of all, the need to abstain from sexual relations before marriage and fidelity to one partner in marriage, and not just the use of condoms. Thus, in Botswana and Thailand they did not achieve significant success by promoting and distributing only condoms everywhere. But in Uganda they tried, first of all, to influence the sexual behavior of the country's residents. As a result, the incidence of AIDS there has been reduced. Alesya Lastochkina also compares the reliability of condoms with airplanes. She asks if the latter were only 80–85% reliable, would anyone fly them at all?

Use a condom every time you have sex. If you don't know if your partner has HIV, change the condom every time you have anal or vaginal intercourse. Women can use the female condom.

Video: a condom is the main way to protect against HIV

HIV infection has made itself known relatively recently. However, it has forever changed the lives of many people affected by this virus. In a couple who have just learned that one of the partners is infected, a reassessment of their outlook on life inevitably occurs.

Sex during HIV infection can be safe, even necessary to create psychological comfort in a couple. Many HIV positive people develop fear, self-doubt, denial of the disease or neglect of it. Individuals may develop impotence or frigidity, which is caused by negative emotions associated with the diagnosis.

If you are interested in continuing the relationship, love your partner, and have common interests, then support each other in this difficult period. There are consultations with psychologists at AIDS centers, contact them. Know that you are not alone in this situation. Read together information about AIDS and all aspects related to it.

How can you protect your health from HIV if your partner is infected?

As well as from other sexually transmitted diseases. The most reliable way is to use condoms. Couples who have not used a barrier method of contraception for years until it turned out that one of the partners is sick still choose safe sex. What has not happened for some time may happen today or tomorrow.

Regardless of what kind of sex the spouses prefer (oral, anal), condoms should always be used. Condoms are not only for men, but also for women (Femidom), and other latex products. When having sex with an HIV-positive partner, condoms with water-based lubricant should be preferred. This lubricant prevents microtrauma during sexual intercourse, and most importantly guarantees the integrity of the latex.

What to do if after having sex it turns out that the condom has broken?

There are medications that should be taken at such a time to prevent infection. You should contact your attending physician from the AIDS center in advance with this question, and have them ready. Although there is no such thing as 100% safety, it is always possible to develop a sexual style that can satisfy physical needs while maintaining safety.

Using condoms is equally important for your partner. The immunity of an HIV positive person is always weak, even if there are no signs of the disease. Therefore, your microbes, which every person normally has, can cause inflammatory diseases in an HIV carrier. If the couple is not stable, the HIV patient should even engage in safe sex only, so as not to become infected with another type of HIV.

HIV should be treated with medications. A specialist will select the correct scheme for you. HIV is not a death sentence; with continuous treatment, when the virus is undetectable (it is there, but the titer is very low), the birth of healthy offspring is possible.

Any young person entering puberty learns about a large number of different means of contraception. Each of them has its own specifics, purpose, and methods of action. It is very easy to choose the wrong thing for a particular situation. Some contraceptives provide good protection against unwanted pregnancy, but do not help protect against STIs at all. Today, when the risk of contracting HIV is very high, every person must know which means of contraception he will not be infected with this virus.

Before we begin to describe certain contraceptives, it is necessary to understand how the human immunodeficiency virus enters the body through sexual contact. As you know, HIV is found in fairly large quantities in a number of biological fluids: blood, semen, vaginal secretions. It is also found in saliva, sweat, and urine, but the concentration there is very low, so infection through them is almost impossible. During penetrative sexual contact, HIV reaches mucous surfaces and enters the body through them. In women, the area of ​​mucous tissue through which the virus can enter the body during sex is much larger - the walls of the vagina, the uterus, as well as the mucous membranes of the rectum during anal sex. HIV can enter men through the urethral mucosa. This is why women are much more at risk of contracting HIV during sexual intercourse. In addition, microtraumas are common during sex, which makes it much easier for the virus to enter the body.

Among the most popular and well-known means of contraception are vaginal diaphragms, vaginal rings, coils, spermicides, hormonal implants, birth control pills, female condoms and the most popular - male condoms. We will talk about all these contraceptives in this article.

Vaginal diaphragms – These are contraceptives, which are latex caps that are inserted into the vagina immediately before sexual intercourse. They come in different sizes, which only a gynecologist can choose. However, diaphragms in no way protect against HIV, as well as other sexually transmitted infections, and only protect against unwanted pregnancy in 80% of cases.

Vaginal rings – plastic rings containing female hormones obtained synthetically. Vaginal rings are placed deep into the vagina and hormones are gradually absorbed through the mucous membranes of the vagina into the body. Despite the fact that rings provide good protection against unwanted pregnancy - in 99% of cases - they do not protect against HIV infection at all.

Intrauterine devices - devices made of plastic or metal may contain hormones. The coils are inserted deep into the body of the uterus by a gynecologist. The contraceptive effect is explained by the fact that they have a detrimental effect on sperm, and also affect the lining of the uterus in such a way that it becomes unsuitable for pregnancy. Depending on which IUD is used, how they protect against unwanted pregnancy also changes. The result varies from 98% to 99.8%. But, like the contraceptives described earlier, IUDs do not protect against HIV infection or infection with other STIs.

Spermicides – preparations based on various chemicals, such as creams, suppositories, gels, aerosols. They act on sperm, immobilizing them. They may also have an effect on the causative agents of certain sexually transmitted diseases. But this protection is quite unreliable, and spermicides can irritate the walls of the vagina, which becomes an additional risk factor for HIV entering the body.

Hormonal implants and birth control pills They are quite similar in their action, only the implants are inserted under the skin and gradually release hormones, and the pills are taken before sexual intercourse. These contraceptives cannot provide any protection against HIV infection.

Condoms. They are male and female. Female condoms are inserted into the vagina, and male condoms are placed on the penis. These are so-called barrier methods of contraception. Condoms protect against HIV in most cases. But male condoms, when used correctly, are much more effective - in 99% of cases they protect against HIV. In addition, male condoms are effective for anal sex.

Thus, it turns out that only condoms effectively protect against HIV infection. Other contraceptives not only do not protect, but can also increase the risk of infection because they can injure or irritate the mucous membranes of the genital organs.

There are many infections and viruses that can be transmitted through unprotected sex. The most dangerous thing is HIV infection. It is known that conventional measures to combat infectious diseases when infected with HIV/AIDS are ineffective, because today in the arsenal of doctors there is still neither an effective vaccination, that is, a vaccine that can prevent infection of healthy people, nor effective drugs that can destroy HIV that has already entered into the human body. Therefore, an infected person is doomed to live with HIV for the rest of his life and be a potential source of infection for others.

The state of being infected with HIV does not yet mean a disease - more than one year may pass before clinical signs of the disease (actually, AIDS) appear. This is why most people who have acquired the virus of this deadly disease do not know about it. It is impossible to identify all infected people through a total survey of the population, because with the most modern methods the diagnosis is made no earlier than two to three weeks after infection, and those tests that are usually used in healthcare practice reliably show the presence of HIV after 3 months. That is, even if every citizen of the country is tested for HIV quarterly, the results obtained will only reflect the epidemiological situation that took place 3 months ago. It is perhaps unnecessary to talk about the cost of such examinations. Thus, it is useless to rely on those who must fight infectious diseases, that is, on doctors, in this matter - they are powerless to protect the entire population from HIV infection. Currently, health workers are only able to eliminate the medical risk of infection in medical institutions, make a diagnosis and provide the necessary assistance to those who are already infected.

The thirty-year world history of the HIV/AIDS epidemic has shown that in order to successfully combat the spread of this infection in society, each member must realize that prevention begins with him. No one except the person himself is able to protect him from infection. Everyone is at risk of the disease: men and women, adults and children. The only difference is the degree of this risk. Throughout the world, it is believed that among all population groups, the most vulnerable group at risk of HIV infection includes young people, who, due to their hypersexuality and active search for a mate, engage in sexual relations with many partners. It is also generally known that women have a greater risk of sexually transmitted infection than men, since during sexual intercourse they usually act as sperm recipients and therefore have a longer potential contact with a larger amount of HIV. At the same time, data on the total risk of infection showed that it is maximum in men due to the fact that they have had and have more sexual contacts with a large number of partners - regular and casual, and also more often use the sexual services of sex workers. The sex life of most women is characterized by greater stability, and the average number of their past and current partners is much less. In most cases, this neutralizes their increased biological vulnerability to HIV.

The concept of safe sexual behavior assumes that even before their first sexual contact, a boy or girl will not only know about the peculiarities of such an intimate sphere of human life as sexual relations, but will also be able to make their own informed choice: what, with whom, how and when to do and what to avoid. That is why school sex education programs are considered the most successful, which gradually, consistently and tactfully form in a teenager a sober, calm and dignified attitude towards sexual issues.

It is known that it is much easier to teach something than to relearn it. It can be difficult for a person who already has a stable sexual relationship with a partner to change its form. And really, how can you explain to your partner the use of protective equipment? Mistrust of him? The deterioration of your own sexual health due to casual encounters? This is problematic. Surprisingly, among many adults the level of sexual awareness is not very high. What can we say about teenagers, sons and daughters of their ignorant parents? Not everyone knows that there are quite a lot of types of sexual behavior, which, based on the risk of infection and unwanted pregnancy, can be divided into risky, safe and protected groups.

Safe sexual behavior includes those cases when:

• Sexual life is absent due to young age, lack of a partner, illness, or the person’s own choice who, for religious or other reasons, consciously refuses this area of ​​life.
• When a boy and a girl meet for the first time, they fall in love, get married, and have children. They love each other so much that none of this family ever cheats on the other and remains faithful to their half all their lives. This relationship is called an ideal marriage, poets dedicate their poems to it, and they compose songs about it. Every person dreams of such a relationship, of meeting the only one who can be loved so much and who will reciprocate. However, human life is very complex. And it often happens that we look for our other half through trial and error. The constantly growing number of divorces and remarriages is a clear confirmation of this.
• The third option for completely safe sexual behavior is considered to be situations in which so-called “distance” sex is practiced. These are situations where there is no direct bodily contact. In any youth audience where conversations are held about the safety of sexual behavior, when asked: “What is this?”, Someone will definitely say: “Phone sex.” During such “activities,” sexual tension comes and a feeling of sexual pleasure may arise. The same thing happens when a person looks through erotic magazines, reads erotic literature, and communicates with friends on erotic topics. And even when he lies alone in bed in the evening with his eyes closed and surrenders to erotic fantasies, he is engaged in “sex at a distance.” It's not embarrassing, and it's not bad for your health. And at a young age it is even useful: at this time the secretion glands work more actively, and thanks to this the body develops. All this is absolutely safe from the point of view of contracting STDs.

A very slight risk of infection occurs when partners practice so-called “dry” forms of sex, in which any organic fluid of one does not enter the body of the other. This includes lovemaking: hugs, caressing sensitive places (they are also called erogenous zones), kissing - a common prelude to traditional sexual contact. Experience shows that if you do not move on, but continue in the same direction, then the same effect is achieved as with traditional contacts. A type of “dry” sex is the so-called “manual” sex or masturbation, in which satisfaction is achieved with the help of hands - a partner’s or your own.

At different times, masturbation was treated differently. Back in the early 90s, in a reference book on sexopathology, this was listed in the section on sexual distortions, and young children and teenagers who were caught doing this were persecuted, shamed or frightened. The frightened child believed that he was doing something terrible, but was not able to give up what brought him physical pleasure and improved his well-being. This led to serious internal personality conflict, stress and caused various neuroses. Masturbation among teenagers has also led to ridicule among peers and concern from adults. Now society is more tolerant of this form of sexual behavior, but even today there are parents who are concerned about this issue, who consider masturbation to be a manifestation of problems.

In adolescence, when the body is experiencing a hormonal storm and a stable sex life has not yet developed, episodes of sexual arousal begin to appear, which is physiologically accompanied by a rush of blood to all pelvic organs. If sexual tension has no outlet, blood stagnation develops, which can result in so-called sterile inflammation of the internal genital organs, and later this can develop into chronic inflammatory processes in women and latent prostatitis in men. It, in turn, can become chronic and lead to infertility, impotence and other disorders in the sexual sphere.

It should be noted that nature, which endowed the young representatives of the male part of humanity with increased sexual activity - hypersexuality, also provided for them a special protective mechanism - nocturnal emissions, which work like a safety valve in a steam engine and ensure the spontaneous release of accumulated sperm and unspent sexual energy . If this is not enough, the young man turns to self-satisfaction. Girls also practice masturbation, especially since no defense mechanism has been created for them. By the way, adults can more or less regularly indulge in this form of sexual behavior. For example, when the sexual needs of partners do not coincide, or one of them is sick, or the person is left alone or in forced isolation. Thus, this is a normal phenomenon, which is also completely safe in terms of infection with any diseases.

Risky sexual behavior includes contacts in which sperm or vaginal fluids enter the body of another partner, or have contact with his mucous membranes - penetrative sex or sex with penetration: vaginal (the most common method of sexual contact), oral (from or - mouth from Latin) and anal (anus - in Latin - anus).

The latter is considered very dangerous, because the rectum has thin walls and the ability to be absorbed (which is why some medications are administered in the form of suppositories by the rectal method). Thus, during anal intercourse there is increased trauma and bleeding, which creates additional danger for partners. In this case, the passive partner risks even more, because the infection from the sperm remains in the body and is quickly absorbed, entering the general bloodstream.

The female vagina has an appropriate size and stratified epithelium, containing substances that have antibacterial (bactericidal) properties. However, even during classic sex, the probability of contracting HIV is from 0.001 to 0.01%.

Oral sex also leaves a chance of contracting HIV, the chance is minimal, but it exists. In this case, the risk is greater for those who have contact with potentially infected secretions (sperm or vaginal fluids). HIV in saliva is contained in very small quantities and cannot cause infection (which is why sharing utensils with an infected person is safe), but the presence of bleeding in the gums increases the risk of transmitting the virus to a partner.

During any sexual contact between partners, an exchange of microorganisms that make up the microflora of each person occurs. And thus, it is believed that when someone enters into an intimate relationship with a person, he enters into an intimate relationship with all those partners that that person had previously. To prevent this from happening during premarital sexual contacts, it is worth practicing protected sex, that is, using protective equipment, the most common of which are condoms.

If your partner is a citizen of another country, and you offer him communication with a condom, you are taking a risk, because instead of the desired item on a date, your friend (or girlfriend) will bring a jar of pickled cucumbers or tomatoes. Because in many English-speaking countries, condoms are substances that are added to foods during the manufacture of canned food so that the latter do not spoil. Thus, it is better to use the term condom, which, by the way, has a thousand-year history.

Our ancestors, just like modern people, did not always want to have as many children as “God would send,” and just like us, they tried to avoid diseases, including those transmitted through sexual relations. And therefore they sought various means of protection. The Arabs were the first to use various devices for sex: small penis caps decorated with precious stones were found in the burials of men. However, according to other information, the first condom was made of leather, and it was used by the famous pharaoh Tutankhamun. Almost at the same time, the so-called “kawagata” was proposed in Japan, which was made from very soft leather and used for sexual intercourse. In the Middle Ages, no reports of condoms were found until the Renaissance, when some doctors tried to use fabric - the prototype of modern condoms - to counteract the syphilis epidemic. In the 18th century, the production of condoms already existed, but they were very expensive. It is believed that Casanova, known for his love affairs, despite the high cost, had sex with women only in armor to protect his most valuable organ - the reproductive organ. The London Museum displays the oldest condom, which is more than 350 years old. It is made from goat intestine and is dipped in milk to soften it before use. Traditional condoms did not appear until the 19th century, when rubber was discovered.

So, if you decide that phone sex is not for you, if you are not a fan of contactless sex, then the most suitable method of contraception and protection against infections is a condom. By the way, regular use of condoms by spouses helps prevent infertility for this couple. It is known that sperm belong to foreign cells, and therefore, when they enter the female body, the same immune reactions begin as against bacteria, fungi or viruses - specific antibodies are produced that destroy sperm and lymphocytes are formed that can kill them. The regular sexual life of the spouses supports these reactions, and over time, the number of cells and proteins aggressive to sperm in a woman increases, and all male reproductive cells in the female body quickly die, which makes fertilization impossible.

So the first step towards a safe sex life has been taken - you have decided to use a condom. All that remains is to purchase it. Today there is a very wide choice - Chinese, Korean, Polish, Czech, Dutch and American condoms, with and without pictures of erotic content, attract the attention of buyers of kiosks, shops, and pharmacies. What to buy?

The most common condoms are for men (although there are also women's ones). Condoms are made from latex - it is a strong and thin material, but you can be allergic to latex. To find out if you have a latex allergy, rub any latex object (glove, toy or condom) on the skin in the crook of your elbow. If within 1-24 hours you do not see a rash, redness, or feel itching in this area, then you are not allergic to latex, and if such phenomena exist, then imagine your feelings if it turns out not only on your hand. This is where natural condoms come to the rescue (they are made from the small intestines of sheep or goats, they are expensive and do not protect against some diseases, in particular herpes and AIDS). Those who are allergic to latex are forced to use two types of condoms at the same time - natural and latex. If a partner suffers from allergies, he puts on a natural condom first, then a latex one; if his partner, it’s the other way around. Not very convenient, and the risk of damage when using two condoms at the same time increases. However, now, to the delight of allergy sufferers, a new generation of synthetic condoms made from a material called “Duron” has appeared in the USA and Japan, which does not cause allergies and, moreover, has high thermal conductivity, so it does not reduce sensitivity.

What else should you pay attention to when purchasing? First of all, on the date by which the condom must be used (Exp. Data) or, what happens less frequently, on the date of manufacture and expiration date. Latex ages and deteriorates, so you should avoid buying expired condos. Then, it would be good to pay attention to where the seller gets his product from. Remember, latex is afraid of heat and light. And if you are offered a condom from a display case, refuse it and offer to take the product out of the package for you.

I would like to emphasize that no one forces or encourages anyone to use condoms, although this should be done with unfamiliar or unfamiliar partners, on “dangerous days” with regular partners in order to avoid pregnancy, but the right to choose always remains with everyone. It is advisable that this choice be conscious.

It is almost impossible to become infected with sexually transmitted infections through a condom if it is used correctly. But there is evidence that some STDs are able to overcome the latex barrier. The extent to which they are justified must be analyzed based on the characteristics of the development cycle and stability of each pathogen.

Who is at higher risk of becoming infected: men or women?

People of both sexes are susceptible to sexually transmitted infections in equal proportions. But in women, there are nonspecific protective factors that can help prevent pathogens from multiplying. These include:

• acidic vaginal environment;
• normal microflora composition with a predominance of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria;
• natural renewal of the epithelium;
• production of weak concentrated hydrogen peroxide by lactobacilli;
• synthesis of immunoglobulins and other specific components of immune defense.

But the risk of infection increases several times if the vaginal biocenosis changes, dysbiosis and thrush develop. The chance of infection increases with hormonal changes, pregnancy, or before or during menstruation.

In men, the urethral mucosa is not suitable for the proliferation of most microorganisms. The risk of their penetration through the ascending route is lower than that of infecting a woman. After sexual intercourse there is a desire to urinate. This is an additional protective factor; urine washes out bacteria from the urethra that have not yet had time to attach to the tissues.

But the source of infection is often men who offer sex without a condom. Trichomoniasis, chlamydia, HPV have a hidden course. External manifestations do not always appear after the incubation period. But it is possible to infect a partner.

Does a condom protect against HIV and AIDS?

The human immunodeficiency virus is a deadly, incurable infection; a condom protects against HIV if the rules of use are followed. In a sick person, it is present in the blood, in small quantities - in saliva, sweat, in women - in vaginal secretions, and in men - in sperm. During sexual intercourse without a condom, the likelihood of infection is high; women are more often infected from men, because the concentration of the virus is higher in semen.

To become infected the first time, the patient must have a high concentration of the virus in his blood. The risk increases if a woman has acute colpitis or during anal sex.

Whether it is possible to become infected with HIV through an intact condom depends on the storage conditions of the condom. afraid of exposure to high temperatures, so condoms should not be stored in a sunny place. When buying a product in a store, you cannot be sure that storage standards are met.

Latex has a porous structure, and the pore size is much smaller than that of a viral particle. But for transmission it is necessary that liquid secretion from the vagina is saturated through the condom or sperm penetrates the other way. Therefore, you can be sure that HIV is not transmitted through a condom.

AIDS is the terminal stage of HIV infection. This disease is accompanied by the addition of other infectious complications, the development of fungal infections, and tumors. The amount of virus in the blood is maximum, but a condom protects against AIDS if it does not break during sex.

AIDS is not transmitted through a condom; studies show that in some married couples, where one of the partners is sick with HIV, the percentage of infection during regular sexual intercourse using barrier-free contraception is not always 100%. The virus must be transmitted in large quantities, and the body must be susceptible.

If, several conditions are required to become infected with HIV:

To avoid getting sick, infection is prevented. The woman must go to the toilet to urinate. The genitals are treated with soap and douched with antiseptics. Infection control is done after 6 months. If the HIV test result is negative, you can rest assured.

How effective is condom protection against chlamydia?

Chlamydia is one of the sexually transmitted infections. It is one of the most common STIs, the number of cases is 2-3 times higher than with gonorrhea, but infection without using a condom does not always occur the first time. Studies show that chlamydia penetrates the genitourinary tract in 1 out of 4 cases.

The risk of transmitting chlamydia through sex with a condom is much lower than that of HIV. The cell is larger than the virus, so it will not be able to overcome the latex barrier. Chlamydia is often found inside the host's cells, which also makes transmission impossible.

Does a condom protect against herpes?

Herpes is a viral disease. The genital form of infection is caused by two types of virus. There is a chance of contracting herpes, as well as HIV, with a condom. Before sex, you need to pay attention to the condition of your partner's genitals. Herpetic infection in the acute phase is manifested by characteristic rashes. Each of the elements of the blistering rash is very contagious; they contain a large number of viruses.

Bubbles can be located not only on the genitals, but also on the pubis, perineum, and inner thighs. If you have sex with a condom, there is protection from herpes, which is found in the vagina, but burst blisters on the skin can cause infection. The risk increases with microdamage to the skin that occurs from scratching or shaving.

The breaking of a condom should be scary, because in this case, whether it is possible to become infected with HIV and hepatitis depends only on the patient’s viral load. Preventative measures for a ruptured condom are similar.

Does a condom protect against syphilis?

Syphilis is caused by a spirochete bacterium large enough to not penetrate the wall of the condom. This is a reliable method that protects against infection if the patient does not have rashes in other places.

Syphilis can mimic a large number of skin diseases. The primary element is a syphilitic ulcer, which occurs at the site of entry of the pathogen into the body and is highly contagious. It is impossible to become infected with a condom if the painless ulcer is located on the penis, vagina, or cervix. But if it appears on the pubic skin, then direct skin-to-skin contact will not protect against infection.

Attention! Syphilitic ulcers can be located in the mouth of the sick person. Therefore, transmission of pathogens can occur through oral sex or kissing.

Ulcers can be located on the palms and fingers, so infection occurs already during foreplay. Hygiene procedures after sex will not protect against infection.

Is it possible to become infected with ureaplasma through a condom?

Ureaplasma, like microplasma, is an opportunistic microorganism, but infection occurs through sexual contact. The reliability of the condom for the prevention of ureaplasmosis has been proven. Microorganisms live in the genitourinary tract of women and men, do not form a rash on the skin, and the size is not suitable for overcoming a barrier contraceptive. Therefore, the probability of infection with a condom tends to zero. Other methods of infection are excluded.

Does a condom protect against trichomoniasis?

The causative agent of trichomoniasis is a single-celled microorganism. It is transmitted sexually from person to person and is unstable in the external environment. Trichomonas is killed by drying, treatment with antiseptics or ultraviolet light. The size of Trichomonas is large. Therefore, trichomoniasis and other sexually transmitted diseases are not transmitted through a condom.

Even if the condom is torn, there is a chance of being saved from infection. To do this, it is necessary to take emergency measures - toilet the genitals, douching with an antiseptic.

Does a condom protect against gonorrhea?

You can become infected with gonorrhea from a patient with an acute or chronic form of the disease during vaginal, anal or oral sex. This is a sexually transmitted disease that can occur in a latent form. At the same time, the person remains infectious to others. A condom protects against infection; for infection to occur, secretions from the genitals must reach the sexual partner.

Other diseases through a condom

Diseases transmitted through an intact condom are very rare. Most STIs are caused by bacteria, and a condom is reliable protection against them. It is also impossible to become infected with the following pathologies:

• thrush, or candidiasis;
• Gardnerella vaginalis;
• viral hepatitis.

The hepatitis virus is a dangerous infection that is transmitted during sex and through blood. It affects the liver and gradually leads to irreversible changes - cirrhosis. In some cases, liver cancer develops under the influence of the virus.

Whether a condom protects against HPV also depends on the clinical manifestations of the viral infection. There are more than 100 types of the virus, some of which cause cervical cancer in women. There are types that lead to proliferative changes on the skin and the appearance of warts.

What infections does a condom not protect against?

HPV is transmitted through a condom if the patient has genital warts in the groin area or perineum. During sex, they may become damaged and begin to bleed. Condyloma cells contain a large number of viruses that can penetrate to a sexual partner. With a good level of immunity, the risk of infection is low. In other cases, after some time, similar rashes may appear on the skin.

To reduce the likelihood of infection of sexual partners, it is necessary to remove condylomas in a timely manner and undergo antiviral treatment. Surgery alone will not lead to recovery.

During sex, you can become infected not only with a bacterial or viral infection. Pubic lice are common among people. They live in the hair on the genitals and are transmitted during close contact; a condom will not protect against them.

Rules of use and precautions

In order not to test for yourself whether it is possible to become infected with AIDS through a whole condom, you must follow the rules of storage and use:

• buy condoms at a pharmacy where there are conditions for storing them at low temperatures;
• store in a place protected from the sun and heat;
• check the integrity of the packaging before use;
• after use, dispose of out of the reach of children;
• Use a new condom for each sexual intercourse.

Group sex should be avoided; a man can infect several women at the same time, even when using a condom, if one of them has a sexually transmitted disease.

The size of the genital organs varies among men, so it is necessary to use a properly sized condom. Too large will slip off during sex and will not protect against infection. Sometimes slippage occurs at the moment of ejaculation; the contraceptive remains in the woman’s genital tract, which greatly increases the risk of infection.

A condom that is too small has limited stretching and can break during sex, which will reduce all protection to a minimum.

Latex condoms are one of the reliable ways to protect against sexually transmitted infections. They are available for free sale; charities fighting AIDS and other infections can freely distribute them. But this method is not suitable for everyone. Some men and women have to find another method of contraception.