With many forms of birth control on the market, latex condoms remain the most effective source for protecting sexually active individuals from contracting sexually transmitted infections and HIV.
Though condoms are the most reliable, they are only effective if people know how to use them.
Condoms must be 98 percent effective in order to meet U.S. standards
said Char Kopchick, director of Health Education and Wellness at Ohio University. In reality though they are only 80 percent effective because people don't use them correctly.
Kopchick said there are 13 steps to using a condom --including getting consent and checking the expiration date -which leaves many places for mistakes along the way. The most important step in using a condom, she said, is simply reading the package.
If people are making the decision to be sexually active and to use protection
we want them to use (condoms) correctly
she said.
Not all brands of condoms are as reliable as others, though.
According to a February 2005 Consumer Reports article that rated the effectiveness of 23 types of condoms: Durex, Lifestyles and TheyFit are the three best kinds.
Storage of condoms has a huge impact on their effectiveness, Kopchick said. They should be kept in a cool, dry place -not near heaters, in glove compartments or in book bags.
Latex also is broken down by Ultra Violet rays, so should not be kept where sunlight can reach them, Kopchick said.
A dresser drawer, a closet and a medicine cabinet in a bathroom are good places to store condoms, she said.
It is a good idea to keep condoms in a secure place because we've heard stories of people sticking pins through their friends' condoms as a joke
which is obviously not funny
she said.
Although using lubrication is a way to prevent condoms from tearing because of too much friction, only water-based lubricants should be used, Kopchick said.
Do not use a petroleum based product because it will cause breakage
she said.
Kopchick often does a demonstration in which she puts Vaseline on a condom and within minutes it weakens the condom, and the condom breaks.
Another complication with using condoms is that some people are allergic to latex, while others are allergic to Nonoxynol 9 spermicidal lubricants.
A person allergic to Nonoxynol 9 can use a condom without the spermicide or a condom without any lubrication at all. Someone allergic to latex can use polyethylene condoms or condoms made of natural fibers.
Senior Beth Barlow, an OU pre-med student, is allergic to latex. She found out about the allergy after having a negative reaction to a pair of shoes containing latex.
Other birth control options include oral contraceptives, diaphragms and sponges, but the only method to reduce STI risks is the condom.
Symptoms of latex allergy could include rash, redness and swelling, Barlow said.
If a woman uses a latex condom and is allergic
it will dry her out and be painful during sex
she said.
Hudson does not offer latex-free condoms because it does not get enough requests for this type, which usually expires faster than latex condoms, Kopchick said.
Barlow said Durex and Trojan make latex-free condoms, which can be found at CVS/Pharmacy and Wal-Mart.
