Condoms are available at most drug stores, and online stores. You can also get them at the hospital for free sometimes, when you go there to get internal medical examination

There is no age requirement to buy them, so you don’t have to worry about having an ID.

2. You need to store them properly.

Condoms will become less effective if they get too hot or cold. This means that it’s a bad idea to store condoms in your glove compartment, bathroom cabinet, refrigerator, or anywhere that gets direct sunlight.

Don’t store condoms in your wallet. The friction damages the condom and can tear the wrapper. If you do put a condom in your wallet, only do it the day that you think you’ll use it.

Don’t store condoms near sharp objects, like scissors or needles. Instead, keep them in your nightstand or another cool, dry place.

3. Condoms expire.

Every condom has an expiration date on the wrapper. Check it before you open it. Do NOT use it if it’s past the expiration date. Throw away condoms that have expired.

4. There’s a right way to open a condom.

Do NOT use your teeth or scissors to open condoms. It’s very easy to accidentally tear or cut the condom. Instead, feel where the condom is inside the package, and open the wrapper with your hands.

5. Putting them on the right way is more complicated than you think.

• Only put condoms on an erect (or hard) penis. You can also use condoms on vibrators, dildos, or other toys.
• Make sure you put the condom on right side out. If you place the condom on your hand, it should look like a small sombrero. The rim should be on the outside, and it should roll easily onto the penis or toy—if there’s resistance, throw the condom out and get a new one.
• Pinch the tip as you roll it on, so there’s enough room for the ejaculate (also called semen, or come/cum).
• Roll the condom on to the penis, to the base.
• If you need some help remembering, use the acronym OPRaH: Open, Pinch (the tip), Roll (down the penis), and Hold (at the base).

6. There’s a right way to take off condom.

Hold on to the base of the condom while the penis (or toy) is being withdrawn. This keeps it from slipping off. Take off the condom BEFORE the penis loses its erection (or goes soft), and do it away from your partner, so there’s no chance of spilling any ejaculate on them. Tie the end, wrap it in a tissue or paper towel, and throw it in a trashcan. Do NOT flush it down the toilet—that will only clog it. Do not reuse condoms.

7. Do NOT use oil-based lube.

Oil-based lube and latex do NOT mix. The oil breaks down the latex. Use water- or silicone-based lube instead. Find out more about Masculan lubricant gel water-based with Free Paraben.

8. Plus 1 is not always a good thing.

Using two condoms at the same time creates friction and makes it much more likely that the condom will break.

9. Use condom EVERY time, for every sex act.

Condoms need to be used correctly EVERY time you have sexual contact in order to effectively prevent pregnancy and protect yourself from STIs. Forgetting any of the above steps makes them less effective. This can be hard when you’re caught up in the moment—especially if you’re drunk or using drugs. This is why we always recommend using an additional form of birth control if you’re having PIV sex.

10. Condoms don’t prevent every STI.

Condom are a great tool to prevent the spread of HIV, gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.  They also help prevent the spread of genital herpes and syphilis, IF the infected site is covered. However, herpes and HPV can be spread even if there are no visible symptoms. This is why we recommend that EVERYONE (including boys) get the HPV vaccine.

Remember: Even if you use condom carefully, you can still get STIs. Routine STI testing is still an important part of taking care of your sexual health!

11. People with vaginas can use condoms, too!

Being in control of condom usage can help some people feel more confident about their sexual health. People with vaginas can use internal (also called “female”) condom, which are inserted into the vagina or anus instead of over the penis or toy.

They’re not as common as external (or “male”) condoms, but you can still get them at community health centers and many grocery stores and corner stores. Make sure you understand exactly how to use one—it can be a little trickier than its external counterpart, so it’s good to practice beforehand.

You can also use internal condoms inside the anus during anal sex. Just be sure to take out the ring in the closed end first!

12. You can use plastic if you’re allergic to latex.

Several types of plastic condoms exist, and they’re not hard to get. Having a latex allergy is NOT an excuse to not wear a condom. Stay away from lambskin though—even though they help prevent pregnancy, they don’t protect against STIs.

However, focusing on sexual performance can lead to anxiety. A set of simple lifestyle changes can help to:

• reduce anxiety
• improve erectile dysfunction
• enhance relationships with sexual partners
• increase stamina

These changes can make sex more enjoyable and satisfying for everyone involved.

It is important to note that worrying about getting and maintaining erections is often a key factor in performance anxiety.

Thirteen ways to improve sexual performance

The following methods can help to reduce erectile dysfunction, increase stamina, and improve the overall quality of sex:

1. Focus on foreplay

Some men believe that penetration is the most important, even the defining part of sex.

However, many who experience erectile dysfunction may be heartened to learn that they do not need an erection to please their partners. In fact, erectile dysfunction can even be an incentive to try new strategies that work better for their partner.

Foreplay can include touching, kissing, and oral sex. Making foreplay last can improve the sexual experience for everyone involved.

Foreplay may be especially important for women. A 2017 study found that very few women — around 18 percent — experience an orgasm from intercourse alone. According to the same findings, 36.6 percent of women said that clitoral stimulation was necessary for orgasm during intercourse.

2. Try the start-stop technique

Men who want to last longer during intercourse can try the start-stop technique.

To use this technique, stop sexual activity every time ejaculation feels imminent. Breathe deeply and start again slowly, then stop to delay ejaculation for as long as desirable.

This method can train the body to hold off ejaculation and help a man to feel more comfortable with not ejaculating, even during intense sexual activity.

3. Try something new

Sexual pleasure thrives in an environment of passion and excitement.

If a person has been with one partner for a long time, sex can begin to feel routine, and it may seem increasingly difficult to feel excited, remain focused, or please the partner.

It may help to try a new sexual activity or position or to have sex in a different location. Also, talking about sexual fantasies can make sex more exciting.

In addition, it can help to do something new with a partner outside the bedroom, such as:

• cooking together
• kayaking or hiking
• going to a museum
• seeing a new band
• trying a new sport

This can help people to feel more connected, and the excitement of the new activity can carry into the bedroom.

4. Manage anxiety and stress

Anxiety and stress can make it hard to get or maintain an erection. These feelings can also distract people from sexual intimacy.

If a man feels anxious about how he will perform sexually, he may feel less excited about sex and less engaged during it.

Strategies for managing anxiety and stress include:

• focusing more on physical sensations than sexual performance
• exercising
• getting more sleep
• working to improve relationships
• meditating
• spending more time on a favorite hobby
• going to therapy
• taking psychiatric medications

5. Quit smoking

Smoking cigarettes can lead to high blood pressure and other heart-related problems that cause erectile issues.

Smoking is also independently linked to erectile dysfunction. A 2015 analysis of 13 studies on smoking and sexual performance found that quitting smoking often improves sexual function and reduces erectile dysfunction.

6. Open communication

Speaking freely can significantly improve sexual experiences.

If issues related to sex have created tension or worry, it is best to bring this up with a partner. Working together on a solution can help a man to feel less isolated and address any concern or guilt.

A partner may be able to ease fears about sexual dysfunction, and they may have practical suggestions.

7. Address relationship issues

Issues outside the bedroom can lead to sexual dysfunction. For example, a man who feels that a partner criticizes them too much may feel anxious during sex, leading to less satisfying experiences.

Communication that focuses on feelings, not blame, can help partners to address relationship challenges. Some people also benefit from relationship or sex therapy.

8. Get more exercise

Being physically active can reduce risk factors for heart conditions and improve sexual function and overall health.

Conditions such as high blood pressure, heart disease, and diabetes can damage nerves and change the amount of blood that flows to the penis. This can make it more difficult to get or maintain erections.

In addition, some men find that regular exercise improves their mental health, reducing anxiety and helping them to feel better about their bodies.

Men can also benefit from exercising the muscles involved in arousal and ejaculation. The following exercise may help:

• While urinating, stop the flow of urine. Repeat several times and learn to identify the muscles involved.
• When not urinating, try to contract these muscles for 10 seconds. Relax them for 10 seconds, then contract them for another 10 seconds.
• Repeat this cycle of contracting and relaxing 10 times each day.

9. Practice mindfulness

Mindfulness is the practice of becoming more aware in the present moment. It is a popular form of meditation for beginners, and it may improve sexual function.

Research published in 2017 suggests that mindfulness-based therapies can change negative attitudes about sex, improve sexual relationships, and help people to be more present during sexual activity.

Mindfulness and meditation can also help to manage stress unrelated to sexual activity. This can indirectly address sexual dysfunction and improve a man’s ability to focus in the moment.

10. Try an herbal remedy

Some herbal remedies may improve sexual satisfaction, especially if erectile dysfunction is a concern. In 2018, researchers published a review of 24 trials involving herbal remedies as treatments for erectile dysfunction.

Ginseng provided significant improvements, while a type of pine called Pinus pinaster and the maca root, or Lepidium meyenii, showed early positive benefits. Other herbs, namely saffron and Tribulus terrestris, did not show clear results.

However, results of a small study published in 2017 indicated that Tribulus terrestris may help with erectile dysfunction.

Before trying herbal remedies, speak with a doctor. Official organizations no not regulate herbal supplements, and they can have side effects or interact with medications.

It is important to see a healthcare provider who is knowledgeable about supplements and who can monitor the progress of symptoms.

11. Consider counseling

Erectile dysfunction is often due in part to psychological factors. These can include:

• anxiety and depression
• relationship problems
• social stigma associated with aging or penis size
• untreated mental health conditions
• a history of trauma

Individual counseling can help a man to address the role of these and other factors in sexual satisfaction.

Relationship counseling can help partners to speak openly about sexuality without shame or judgment.

When a man has an underlying health issue, for example, counseling can help him to cope with the stress of erectile dysfunction while communicating about options with a partner.

12. Talk to a doctor

Several medications can help with sexual function, including popular drugs, such as Viagra and Cialis.

Medication can be the most rapid treatment option for some men. If a man taking medication for erectile dysfunction also makes lifestyle changes and participates in therapy, they may eventually be able to stop taking the drugs.

A handful of medications can affect sexual satisfaction, libido, and the ability to have or maintain erections.

Antidepressants, for example, may change the way a man ejaculates and reduce sexual desire. Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors, or SSRIs, may be especially likely to cause sexual dysfunction.

A man who takes drugs with sexual side effects should discuss changing the medication, stopping the treatment, or lowering the dosage with a doctor.

13. Manage chronic health problems

Erectile dysfunction can be an early warning sign of health issues. It is important to take good care of the body by eating a balanced diet, remaining physically active, and managing stress.

Treating chronic health issues, such as diabetes and heart disease, is also essential. Take medications as recommended and try lifestyle changes that can improve overall health.

If symptoms of these conditions worsen, seek medical care.

Source: MedicalNews

Researchers believe that condoms were used by mankind 3,000 years ago. Ancient paintings show that the  Egyptians  were the first citizens of the earth to use it. The bags are made of linen that they use to fight sexually transmitted infections.

Many ancient paintings about 1,800 years ago in caves in the  Combarelles  (France) also have condoms. In addition, it is reported that some types of bags were used in the  Roman Empire.

In the early 1500s,  syphilis  spread in Europe and people rushed to buy condoms to avoid the disease. Gabrielle Fallopius  was the first in the world to print detailed descriptions and instructions for the use of a linen condom.

In the 1600s, a “modern” condom was discovered near Dudley Castle in the West Midlands (England). Here are 5 bags made from the intestines of animals.

Origin of the word “condom”

The birth of a condom is like that, but up to now, people have yet to accurately explain the origin of the word “condom” (ie “condom” in English).

Western folktales claim that it comes from the name of  Doctor Condom , who provided King Charles II (England – 17th century) with “robes” for the king to prevent illness and avoid pregnancy in the clouds. sneaky rain.

Some other experts believe that  “condom ” comes from  the Latin word  “condus” , which means …  “bottle”.

It seems that the most logical and scientific solution is derived from Latin, condom means  “storage”. This time around, the popularity of condoms made from the intestines of animals began. How to make a condom from the intestines of animals : Dip sheep’s intestines in water for a few hours, then turn it up, dip in dilute alkali, turn face every 12 hours. After that, scrape off the mucus and fat and dry on sulfur smoke. Next, wash with soap and water, inflate it, dry it, cut it into penis length pieces, then sew one end. Before using, to soak in water to soft.

They are quite expensive so they are often reused. Although softer than linen bags, animal gut bags are nicknamed the  “armor against pleasure and infectious diseases”.

However, these bags are selling very well. By the middle of the 18th century, the condom trade from Amsterdam (the Netherlands) had spread to London, England.

In 1839,  Charles Goodyear  invented a vulcanization method that makes natural rubber flexible. Immediately, people thought of making condoms from new materials. But new products are thick … bicycle tubes, very bad and not reliable enough, so they are not very popular.

In 1930, the second revolution of condoms happened when people invented latex. With its toughness and low odor, this substance quickly dominates and is the raw material for most of today’s condoms.

The up and down life of condom

When born from the intestines of animals, condoms are too expensive, so they are only for the rich. But even this world is criticized because they are thick, inconvenient, rough, and create a sense of fear for someone who uses or just looks at them. In addition, the Church tried to deny condoms and saw them as symbols of  infidelity , only useful for husbands who were on the street but feared getting sick and didn’t want their children to fall.

During  World War I , condoms were distributed to soldiers to control the  spread of sexually transmitted diseases  in the military. End of the war, condoms were thrown into the street, considered cheap. It did not win the hearts of users in the early 20th century because at that time, society still believed that it was unusual for men to ” wear something ” to prevent pregnancy.

When  latex condoms first  came into being, there were rumors that Catholics working in condom factories secretly poked holes in all products through their hands with needles. The authorities must set up a quality inspection agency to remove rumors.

In the 1960s, when  birth control pills  and some antibiotics to prevent sex were born, condoms were thrown out for the second time. Only more than 20 years later, when humanity discovered the  HIV / AIDS virus , it returned and took the number one spot. Over those 20 years, condoms have made enough progress to reduce pregnancy by 99%.

The manufacturers war

In the early 1990s,  Japanese condoms  flooded the US market. Brands like ” Behind No. 7 “, ” Crown ” and ” Kimono ” are super thin quickly overtaken the country’s leading giants. They are much thinner than American products and give a natural ” nothing ” feel.

Refusing to surrender, Ansell counterattacked with the brand name  Lifestyles Xtra Pleasure . Exotic design with a dome at the top, this type has made the US market wobble. Carter Wallace quickly imitated it by releasing the Trojan Ultra Pleasure condoms and received a lot of praise.

Right at this point, a figure believed to be the ancestor of modern condoms appeared. An Indian physicist named  Alla Venkata Krishna Reddy  decided to reshape traditional products with the belief that “ if you develop a condom that can bring a lot of pleasure, people will use it ”.

The person  dubbed ” Leonardo da Vinci of the condom ” by the  New York Times took a long time to develop a type of condom capable of helping ladies to sublimate easily, and the product named  Pleasure Plus  is born. With its distinctive convex design, Pleasure Plus wins the team against other brands and quickly sets a benchmark that other companies must follow.

In 1995,  Durex , the world’s leading condom maker, launched the first synthetic plastic bag model,  Durex Avanti . Avanti’s special feature is heat conduction, odorless, and tasteless. And unlike latex, the condom can be used safely with oil-based lubricants. It is specially designed for those allergic to latex. Americans once again rushed to buy Avanti to try it out.

Overwhelmed by the success of Avanti and Durex, another manufacturer named Trojan rushed out the  Trojan Supra . This model is very similar to the Avanti in many respects, only that it is wider, softer and more comfortable. The best part is that it feels real, like not using it. Supra is considered by experts to be the world’s first “almost invisible condom”.

Key features have been recognized

Up to now, the world has understood and recognized the importance of condoms in preventing and preventing sexually transmitted diseases, and at the same time, there are hundreds of condoms manufacturers with multi form a lot of designs and designs all over the world.

Among them is Masculan condoms , a luxury brand from Germany. All Masculan products meet (even exceed) the most stringent European regulatory standards related to health and safety. The brand has been present in more than 80 countries and regions, including Vietnam.

In the Vietnamese market, Masculan condoms have been present and distributed in the market for more than 10 years, becoming one of the oldest and most prestigious products indispensable in the sex life of Vietnamese people.

My husband and I have been together for eight years, and we had sex without a condom for the first time last month.

Yes, that’s right. Before one month ago, our genitals had never actually touched each other without a condom between them. Never. Not once. Not even the tip. Not for a second.

“But, WHY!?!” people will ask as confused and curious and somewhat concerned as you may be right now. As a sexuality educator, I blog about my sex life and how it relates to larger sociocultural sexuality topics, so it has been no secret to my friends and followers about our choice to use a condom every time, and we get a whole lot of “but, WHY!?!”

That confusion arises because when it comes to sexuality and human nature, so often we assume that everyone else is just like us, and therefore other people do their sexuality the way same way we do ours. For some folks, gleefully ditching condoms upon marriage is the way they do their sexuality, so they just don’t realize how different people have different reproductive needs, relationship arrangements, pleasure experiences , sex rituals, personal histories, and private beliefs about sexuality, and that as a consequence, they may find that condoms really work for them, even in a marriage.

In the interest of expanding your sexual world view about the diversity of condom experiences, I give you 7 reasons married couples might choose to use condoms:

1. Maybe one or both of them isn’t monogamous. Maybe they’re swingers, or polyamorists, or unfaithful. Maybe they have threesomes and orgies.
2. Maybe one or both of them has an infection. Maybe one of them was born HIV positive. Maybe one of them contracted herpes from a previous partner, or from childhood sexual abuse, and doesn’t want to infect the other. Maybe one of them works in a career that has them coming into regular contact with blood-borne pathogens.
3. Maybe they don’t want children yet or ever, but the woman can’t take hormonal birth control because she has cardiovascular disease and it would put her at high risk for stroke, or because it gives her severe nausea. Maybe it’s against her religion, or she just doesn’t like synthetic hormones in her body. Maybe condoms are a back-up in addition to birth control pills for a woman who is known to be forgetful with taking them, or has gotten pregnant while being on the pill before and prefers a condom as a safety net.
4. Maybe they like condoms. Maybe they think the ones that have warming and cooling sensations, or ribbed ones with tingling lube, feel good and add to their sexual enjoyment.
5. Maybe they want to prolong the sexual encounter and make the man last longer before having an orgasm.
6. Maybe their favorite part of the sexual encounter is holding each other afterwards, and condoms make it such that they can lay there and cuddle with minimal interruption for clean-up.
7. Maybe one or both of them was raped by someone not wearing a condom, and bare ejaculation in the body is triggering and traumatic.

Snippets of the above article were originally published in Cosmopolitan back in 2013 but Dr JillI and RipnRoll both feel it’s too good, and too under discussed, to not publish again. We value Dr. Jill’s contributions and expertise.

Dr. Jill McDevitt

Rip n Roll’s Resident Expert, blogger, and social media Guru.

Dr. Jill McDevitt
Ph.D. Human Sexuality
M.Ed. Human Sexuality Education
B.A. Sexuality, Marriage, and Family

Dr. Jill is the only person in the world with
all three degrees in human sexuality.

Article link here

Can condoms provide protection from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV?

Yes. Whether you use latex male condoms or female condoms, they are both very effective in preventing HIV and many other STDs when used the right way every time. Condoms may prevent the spread of other STDs, like the Human Papillomavirus (HPV, genital or venereal warts) or genital herpes, only when the condom covers the infected areas or sores. To find out if you might have an STD, visit your doctor or clinic as soon as you can.

Is there a 100% effective way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV and STDs?

The only 100% effective way to prevent sexual transmission of HIV and STDs is through abstinence – avoiding all vaginal, anal and oral sex. Using a latex male condom or a female condom can greatly reduce, but not entirely eliminate, the risk of HIV and STD transmission. Abstinence is the only method to completely eliminate the possibility of sexual transmission of HIV or STDs.

Do birth control methods other than condoms reduce the risk of STDs including HIV?

No. Only condoms reduce the risk of pregnancy, STDs and HIV. Birth control pills, the birth control patch, contraceptive injections such as Depo-Provera, intrauterine devices (IUDs), diaphragms, and any birth control methods other than condoms do not provide protection against STDs and HIV. You should use a latex male condom or a female condom for STD and HIV prevention along with any other method you use to prevent pregnancy. Condoms can prevent the spread of other STDs, like HPV or genital herpes, only when the condom covers all of the infected area or sores.

What is the correct way to use a condom?

• Store condoms in a cool place, out of direct sunlight. Check the expiration date on the condom wrapper or box. Condoms that are past their expiration date may break.
• Open the package carefully. Teeth or fingernails can rip the condom.
• Choose brands that are reputable and have proven quality like Masculan condoms – the No. 1 condom brand of Germany has been exclusively distributed by TOP A company for more than 10 years in the Vietnamese market.

For latex male condoms:

• Put on the condom after the penis is hard. If the penis is not circumcised, pull back the foreskin before putting on the condom.
• Pinch the tip of the condom to leave a little space (about a half inch) at the top to catch semen. Unroll the condom all the way down the penis. Add a little bit of water-based lubricant (like K-Y^®, ID Glide^® and Wet^®) to the outside of the condom.
• After ejaculation, hold the rim of the condom and pull out the penis while it is still hard, so that no semen spills out.
• Use a new condom every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex.

For female condoms:

• You may insert the female condom up to eight hours before sexual intercourse.
• You should add a few drops of extra lubricant to the inside of the female condom before putting it in the vagina. Lubricant may also be added to the penis before having sex.
• Hold the female condom with the open end hanging down. Holding the outside of the condom, squeeze the inner ring with your thumb and middle finger. Put your index finger between your thumb and middle finger.
• Still squeezing the inner ring, insert the condom into the vagina. Once the condom is inside the vagina, put your index finger inside the condom and push the inner ring up as high as it will go.
• The inner ring sits above your pubic bone and holds the condom in place. The outer ring should be outside the vagina. Make sure the condom is not twisted.
• Be sure the penis enters inside the female condom and stays inside the female condom during sex. If the penis enters under or outside the condom, stop right away. Take out the condom and reinsert it.
• If the condom moves, sticks to the penis or makes noise, add more lubricant.
• After sex, just twist the outer ring to keep semen inside the condom and pull it out gently.
• Use a new condom every time you have sex.

Do male and female condoms provide the same protection against HIV?

Yes. Studies show that female condoms are as effective at protecting against HIV as male condoms. Female condoms are made of nitrile, which is an effective barrier to HIV. Male and female condoms should not be used at the same time. Female condoms, like latex male condoms, are available in some drug stores, community health centers, and AIDS service organizations.

Does spermicide provide additional protection against HIV?

You should not use additional or separate applications of spermicide for HIV prevention during vaginal or anal sex. Women who use spermicidal cream or jelly for pregnancy prevention should also use a condom to protect against HIV and to provide better protection against pregnancy than spermicide alone.

Spermicides contain the chemical nonoxynol-9 (N-9). Although N-9 kills HIV in test tubes, one study showed that N-9 inserted into the vagina may irritate the vagina and actually increase the risk of HIV infection during vaginal sex. N-9 may also irritate the lining of the rectum and should not be used for anal sex.

Some condoms are pre-lubricated with a lubricant containing N-9. These condoms still provide greater protection against HIV than not using a condom. However, a lubricated condom without N-9 may be the best for HIV prevention.

How can I prevent HIV transmission and STDs during oral sex?

Although oral sex presents less of a risk for HIV and some STDs than vaginal or anal sex, the risk still exists. Herpes is commonly passed between genitals and the mouth, and you can get a bacterial infection in your mouth or throat from an STD. The risk of HIV transmission through oral sex is low, but people have been infected this way. Oral sex can be made safer by using a latex barrier. For oral sex performed on a man, a non-lubricated condom is recommended. For oral sex performed on a woman, a dental dam (a thin square of latex), a non-lubricated condom that is cut open or a plastic wrap can be used to cover the vagina. Oral-anal sex (rimming) is a high-risk activity that may be made safer by using a dental dam.

How can I prevent HIV transmission and STDs during anal sex?

Unprotected anal sex with a person who has HIV or another STD, or whose HIV or STD status you do not know, is the highest-risk sexual activity for both men and women. The walls of the anus and rectum are thin and have many blood vessels than can be injured during anal sex. Injured tissue in the anus and rectum can expose you to HIV and other STDs. Male latex condoms used with a water-based lubricant reduces the chance of tissue and skin tearing and lowers the risk of transmitting disease during anal sex. However, even with lubrication, male condoms fail more often during anal sex than during vaginal or oral sex. Female condoms should not be used for anal sex, as they do not provide adequate protection. Because use of the female condom during anal sex requires removal of the inner ring, the female condom is unlikely to stay in place during anal intercourse.

How can I prevent HIV transmission and STDs during vaginal sex?

HIV is spread during vaginal sex when HIV-infected semen, vaginal fluid or menstrual blood comes into contact with the mucous membranes of the vagina or penis. Some STDs (e.g., gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis) are spread the same way as HIV. Other STDs (e.g., herpes, syphilis, chancroid) are transmitted through contact with infected skin or mucous membranes. In general, since there is more mucous membrane area in the vagina, and a greater possibility of small cuts in the vagina, women are more likely than men to get infected with HIV and some STDs through unprotected vaginal sex. Teenagers and women entering menopause are at especially high risk for getting HIV and other STDs because the tissue lining the vagina is more fragile at these ages. Cuts or sores on the penis or vagina raise the risk of HIV infection and STDs during vaginal sex for both men and women. Using a latex male condom or a female condom lowers your risk of getting HIV and STDs through vaginal sex.

Do sex partners who both have HIV need to use condoms?

Yes. People who have HIV still need protection from STDs and may want to prevent pregnancy. Condoms also protect against exposure to different types, or strains, of HIV. Re-infection or superinfection with a new strain of HIV may make the disease progress more quickly and may require the use of medicines different from the ones used to treat the original strain.