Do condoms always prevent HIV transmission?

Condoms provide a barrier between you and your partner, and when used correctly during sexual activity, condoms are the best way to prevent sexually transmitted infections and diseases, this includes HIV.

Condoms have about a 99% effective rate, so they don’t fail very often. Condoms can be used for all kinds of sexual activity including oral sex, anal sex, and vaginal sex.

Condoms have such a low failure rate because they are classified as medical devices, this means that they must meet certain requirements as well as going through strict testing.

When using a condom it is very important to double check the expiry date of the condom and to always check that the condom you are using has the BSI kite mark and the CE mark. This is because they are both recognised safety standards.

Condoms are the most effective way to prevent the transmission of HIV and STI’s, but only when they are used correctly. This includes buying a condom that fits correctly. Condoms come in different widths, so it is important to make sure that the one you use fits snugly around your penis.

Below are some basic things that you should know in order to use a condom properly:

• make sure you use a new condom each time you have sex
• make sure you wear the condom as soon as you have an erection and before any sexual contact
• avoid using oil-based personal lubricant as this can increase the chances of the condom splitting.
• the man should remove his penis from his partner as soon as he ejaculates, holding the condom firmly in place to prevent the condom from slipping out and seamen leaving the condom