Health expert debunks common myths about condoms
Posted at 5:16 pm July 22, 2010
Tags: Family Health Concerns
By Anna Valmero
PUERTO PRINCESA, PALAWAN — Filipinos should overcome fears, largely due to prevailing myths on the use of condoms, to help curb the rapid increase of Filipinos stricken with HIV-AIDS, according to a health expert.
The first ever recorded HIV-positive case in the country was in 1984. Since then, there have been more than 5,000 cases recorded. In May this year, a total of 153 cases was recorded, or an 80 percent year-on-year increase, said Dr. Gerard Belimac, medical consultant at the Department of Health (DoH) National Center for Disease Prevention and Control (NCDPC).
“The prevailing myths on condom use should not discourage Filipinos from using them because it is one strategy identified by DoH to reduce the prevalence of HIV-AIDS in the country. Condoms, when properly used, offer 85 percent protection from HIV-AIDS because it prevents the exchange of bodily fluids,” Belimac said in a media seminar here.
According to him, the “ABCs” of the program against the spread of HIV-AIDS include the following guidelines: abstinence from sex; being faithful to one partner only; using condoms with multiple partners; avoiding drug or alcohol use and getting educated on HIV AIDS. Belimac also discussed the following myths associated with condom use.
- Condoms could increase HIV cases in countries with full blast condom use programs. Thailand and Cambodia, which offer condoms to high-risk populations after implementing the condom program, now have a decreasing number of cases recorded per day. “If implemented in the country, use of condoms can prevent seven out of 10 infections per day. In fact, even females should carry condoms if they are sexually active and belong to at-risk populations.”
- Sexual intercourse is less pleasurable with the use of condoms. “The sensation felt during intercourse is caused by the vaginal fluids. That could be solved if you put lubricant on the penis before wearing a condom.”
- When opening a condom, do not tear the sachet using the finger nails. Instead use the finger pads (just above the part for finger prints) to avoid tearing the condom. “Any tear on the condom, no matter how small is an entry for body fluids, HIV and other infections.”
- After opening the condom, do not wear it immediately. Make sure to twist the tip before wearing the condom so there is space for the semen discharge; otherwise, the seminal fluid will overflow and increase the risks of infection between partners.
- Contrary to popular belief, the condom should be worn before penetration. Most use condoms only when the guy is about to climax. “You have to remember there is pre-ejaculation when the guy releases bodily fluids even without him knowing it. If the guy is HIV positive, there are chances he will infect his partner when not using condoms.”
- It is advisable to use water-based lubricants. Due to misinformation, sex workers usually use oil or lotion as lubricant, which in turn damages the protective lining of the vaginal wall and tears the condom. Water-based lubricants are recommended for use because it is neutral and safe for the condom; the most readily available of which is saliva.
- Proper disposal of used condom is necessary to prevent other persons from getting contact with the bodily fluids in condoms, which may contain HIV and other infectious diseases such as hepatitis B. “Unlike HIV, which dies quickly when not inside living cells, the hepa B strain can live for about seven days on an object and infect others who touched or inhaled the disease-causing microorganisms. Like in hospitals, you have to treat each person’s bodily fluid as a possible carrier of disease so they need to be disposed properly.” To safely dispose used condoms, tie the open end of the condom to seal the semen and wrap it in tissue paper before throwing it in a bin for non-biodegradable trash.
- The belief that anal sex between men who-have-sex-with-men (MSM) is safe even without a condom is a fallacy. “Most believe that since there is no risk of pregnancy, they do not use condoms but actually, this is the riskiest form of sex because the skin there is very delicate that it could break easily and bleed. Remember that any wound is an entry for HIV into the body so you should still use condoms during anal sex.”
- The belief that condoms equate to less “machismo” among users, and are basis of trust issues between partners is illogical. Belimac said maturity in protecting yourself and your partner is imperative, especially for those with multiple partners. “Condoms serve as a primary line of defense against HIV infections and to offer yourself and your partner mutual protection, use them.”
- It is common practice for men to put condoms inside wallets and pockets of their pants for a while, believing it has no expiry date. However, the hot temperature inside the wallets placed inside pockets of pants reduce the quality of condoms such that it will easily break when used and allow the entry of HIV so place it in bags or store at room temperature. “Expired condoms, on the other hand, should not be used because they are ineffective in preventing HIV infection. Check the expiry dates on the foil packs of condoms before using it.”
“Until this day, HIV is not curable. Although there are available drugs to prevent the fast progression of HIV to AIDS, medication is still expensive and should be taken throughout the patient’s lifetime so an ounce of prevention is still better than a pound of cure,” Belimac said.
Photo taken from http://dc.bilerico.com
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