National Condom Awareness

Post date: Apr 28, 2015 2:18:02 AM

February 14 is National Condom Awareness Day and marks the start of National Condom Week. The goal is to raise awareness and encourage the use of condoms for personal protection. Condoms are an important personal protective measure for Soldiers. Having an STI or an unintended pregnancy can affect readiness and jeopardize a unit's mission. Mental stress can also make it difficult for a Soldier to concentrate on the mission.

Condoms are effective when people use them correctly and consistently. A new condom should be used with each act of vaginal, oral or anal sex. In addition, use water-based lubricants only and apply to the outside of the condom. Oil-based products (such as baby oil, petroleum jelly, hand lotion, mineral oil, margarine or whipped cream) are not ideal lubricants as they weaken condoms causing them to break easily. Use fresh condoms as they are the most effective--check the expiration date on the outside of the wrapper and store them in a cool, dry place. Like oil-based lubricants, out-of-date (old) condoms and heat weaken condoms causing them to break easily.

Condoms are available at grocery markets, convenience stores, military exchanges and some military treatment facilities. They come in a variety of brands, colors, sizes and textures, with or without lubrication. In addition, you can find condoms specially made for either males or females. For the military, condoms can be ordered through your supply chain. Order a box and leave them for your battle buddies by the Staff Duty Officer.

Male condoms are made of natural skin, latex or polyurethane (plastic). Natural-skin condoms made from lambskin do not protect against disease because they contain small pores (holes) that may allow viruses like HIV to pass through. If you or your partner is allergic to latex, use condoms made from polyurethane. When wearing a condom, leave a little space at the tip to catch the sperm.

A female condom is a polyurethane (plastic) pouch with two soft rings on each end and is designed to cover the entire vaginal area and block the cervix. The smaller ring fits on the inside of the vagina to hold the condom in place while the larger ring remains on the outside. Use a water-based lubricant with it. A female condom can be inserted several hours before having intercourse and should be removed right afterwards.

Be responsible. Be in charge and stay in charge of your sexual health. Although it may be uncomfortable, you need to talk with your sexual partner about condoms. They benefit both of you. Protect yourself from STIs and prevent pregnancy by using condoms all the time, every time.

Approximately 19 million sexually transmitted diseases occur each year in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Almost half are in young people ages 15 to 24. One in two young people will get a sexually transmitted disease by age 25, and many won't know it.

Untreated STDs can cause serious medical complications like chronic pelvic pain, infertility, or passing an infection to an infant during child birth. Individuals infected with STDs are at a much greater risk for HIV infection.

The only way to "know for sure" if you or anyone else has an STD is to get tested. Testing is faster and easier than ever before. You can't assume that your healthcare provider will bring it up. You might feel embarrassed to bring it up, but it's absolutely essential.

You and your health care provider will decide what STD tests make the most sense for you. If you do have an STD, it's important to get treated as soon as possible. Here are some tips for having a talk with your heatlhcare provider:

Before Your Appointment

Aca,!Ac Think of problems or questions you have. Even if you only have one or two, write them down.

Aca,!Ac When you make your appointment, tell the receptionist that you'd like to be tested for sexually transmitted diseases.

The Appointment

It's the day of your appointment. Take a deep breath! Be prepared to ask lots of questions, be honest, and, if you don't understand a question or answer, ask for an explanation.

The Talk

A good sexual health exam begins with a good sexual health history. Here are some common questions that healthcare providers need to ask in order to help you:

Aca,!Ac How many sexual partners have you had recently'

Aca,!Ac How many sexual partners have you had in your lifetime'

Aca,!Ac Do you have sex with women, men or both'

Aca,!Ac Do you have oral sex'

Aca,!Ac Do you have anal sex'

Aca,!Ac Do you use condoms'

Aca,!Ac Do you have symptoms now'

Aca,!Ac Have you had symptoms in the past'

Aca,!Ac Have you ever had a sexually transmitted disease'

Aca,!Ac Have you used over-the-counter medications to treat your symptoms'

Aca,!Ac Do your partner(s) have any STDs or symptoms of STDs'

Aca,!Ac Do you have any drug allergies'

Aca,!Ac When was your last menstrual period'

These questions might seem really personal, but it's important to be honest with your healthcare provider. Your provider will help you make important decisions about what test(s) and treatment you may need. Finally, be sure to ask about when you'll get the results.

For more information on preventing sexually transmitted diseases:

It's Your Sex Life, http://www.itsyoursexlife.com/