What To Do With a
Used Condom
DO NOT throw it in the toilet.
Condoms can get snagged on debris in the plumbing pipes and back up
your plumbing. Do you really want the plumbers to roto-root your
pipes with the plumbing snake and find your last 100 condoms?
Or do you?
DO wrap the used condom in
tissue paper and toss it in the trash.
Contrary to the
photo above, condoms are not reusable. In China, however, they are
being recycled - into hair bands. It has been found that the
re-cycling process does not remove all risk for
bacteria to be transmitted, and girls commonly put the hair bands
into their mouth as they use both hands to gather their hair.
Pam Babbitt, Editor
Sex Coach
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Safe Sex Guidelines
According to The American Institute of Preventive Medicine, there is
only one way to guarantee you will never have a sexual disease:
Never have partner sex. If that option does not appeal, there are
several ways in which you can greatly reduce your chances of
infection:
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1. |
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Limit your sexual contact to one partner, or to one partner at a time.
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2. |
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Avoid sexual contact with people whose health status and
practices are not known. |
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3. |
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Discuss a new partner’s sexual history with him or her
before beginning a sexual relationship. Be aware, though,
that people are not always honest about their sexual
history. |
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4. |
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Latex and polyurethane condoms can reduce the spread of
STDs, though they do not eliminate the risk entirely. Learn
to use condoms properly. |
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5. |
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Plan ahead for safe sex and walk your talk. |
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6. |
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Carry condoms (both males and females) and insist that they
be used every time you have intercourse. Use only
water-based or silicone lubricants with latex condoms. Oil
based or petroleum lubricants will create holes in latex big
enough to allow the HIV virus to pass through in 60 seconds,
and big enough for sperm to pass through in minutes.
Polyurethane condoms can be used with any lubricant,
including oil or petroleum based. |
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7. |
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Heat, light and rough treatment destroy condoms. Do not
store them in a wallet, glove compartment, pocket. Do not
use a condom that is more than a year old. |
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8. |
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Wash the genitals with soap and water before and after
sex. |
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9. |
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Seek immediate treatment for STDs if you know your sex partner
is infected, or if you notice any unusual pain, burning,
itching, sores, or discharge. |
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10. |
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Ask your doctor to check for STDs every six months if you
have multiple sex partners even if you don’t have any
symptoms. |
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11. |
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Regarding HIV infection:
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●
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Know that condoms only reduce your risk of HIV infection, they do
not prevent it. |
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● |
Using a
spermicide with a condom will increase your risk of
HIV infection as it will cause irritation and inflammation making you
more susceptible. |
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In a monogamous
relationship, get an initial HIV test, continue to
practice safe sex for six months, then get retested before having
unprotected sex. |
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12. |
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Don’t abuse drugs and limit alcohol consumption. These
practices lower your inhibitions and can make you more prone
to having unsafe sex. |
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13. |
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When raising sexual energy in a workshop or other group
setting, be aware that you may be in an alpha (very relaxed)
state, and not in a position to make clear-headed decisions
regarding “practicing” or “doing homework” with a new
partner. You may also be receiving influence from other
participants or facilitators. We encourage you not to trust
your sexual health to another participant you have recently
met. If you engage in sexual activity, please refer to the
Safer Sex Protection Chart and practice full protection. You
may also want to ask the facilitators to include a safer sex discussion
in their agenda, and to provide safe sex
supplies. |
Safe Sex Protection Chart
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Hand |
Mouth |
Anus |
Vulva |
Penis |
|
Hand |
None |
None |
Glove |
Glove |
Glove |
|
Mouth |
None |
None |
Oral Dam |
Oral Dam |
Condom |
|
Anus |
Glove |
Oral Dam |
N/A |
N/A |
Condom |
|
Vulva |
Glove |
Oral Dam |
N/A |
Oral Dam |
Condom |
|
Penis |
Glove |
Condom |
Condom |
Condom |
Condom |
Note - plastic wrap is an acceptable substitute for an oral dam.
Herpes can be transmitted from genitals to mouth during unprotected
oral sex, but most agree that the risk is acceptably low outside of
the most infectious period. It is also possible, though rare, to
pick up a bacterial infection during oral sex on someone who
currently has a bacterial STD (typically Gonorrhea, more rarely
Syphilis or Cancroid), but these generally can be cured with antibiotics once identified.
The risk of transmitting HIV is much lower for unprotected oral sex
than for unprotected anal or vaginal sex, though AIDS is currently
incurable. If you decide to include barriers for oral sex, use latex
condoms (without Nonoxyl-9) for fellatio and either plastic wrap or
an oral dam for cunnilingus.
Many testing centers offer anonymity and/or confidentiality. If privacy is important to you, ask about their policy.
You may want to order an
At
Home Aids HIV Test
The above information is provided for your general information
only. It is not a substitute for medical advice, and it is not guaranteed
to be the most current or accurate information. For additional information on safer sex, visit
Planned Parenthood.
- Pam Babbitt, Editor
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