Hormones 2016

Condoms
Avoid other types of contact
Condoms and other barriers, including dental dams, are very good at
preventing the exchange of infected bodily fluids. They can also help to
minimise skin-to-skin contact. This reduces the transmission of diseases
that spread from skin to skin. However, they doesnt prevent transmission
entirely. STI’s that spread through skin-to-skin contact include -
• syphilis,
• herpes,
• genital warts.
Avoid sharing towels or underclothing.
You can also catch scabies and public lice through skin-to-skin contact or
sharing towels, bedding and clothing (Trust, 2016).
Summary
Though STI’s are common, there are ways to reduce your risk and make sex
safer. If you are unsure about the right method for you, talk to your partner,
or your GP. Being honest about your sexual practices with your medical
advisors can help them to help you reduce the risk of catching an STI. Safer
sex is for everyone, because everyone who is sexually active is potentially
at risk (Trust, 2016).
Condoms
How do condoms work?
A condom covers the penis or sex toy and acts as a barrier between it and
the mouth, vagina, penis or anus.
Condoms protect against pregnancy by stopping the sperm contained
in semen coming into contact with a vagina. As condoms stop sexual
fluids being transferred between partners they are also the only method of
contraception that protects against most STI’s.
When condoms are used correctly they are 98% effective at protecting
against pregnancy. This means that two women out of every 100 who use
condoms as contraception will become pregnant within a year. They are
the only method of contraception that protects against both pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections (STI’s).
Some people like to use condoms with another method of contraception (e.g.
the pill, implant, injection), so they can enjoy sex without having to worry
about pregnancy and STI’s (brook, 2015b).
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Version 2016.3576– – Document LATEXed – 1st May 2016
[git] • Branch: 1.5 @ 26b5e6d • Release: 1.5 (2016-05-01)