Prevention · Education · Support · Referrals

Serving the mountain communities of Banff, Canmore, Kananaskis
Lake Louise, Exshaw and Morley

Free
condoms
are
available
at the
following
locations:

AIDS Bow
Valley

The
Living
Room

The
Banff
YWCA

The Banff
Centre

Lube and
dental dams
are also
available at the
AIDS Bow Valley
office
302 Buffalo St.

What are condoms?

A condom is a tube made of thin, flexible material that is closed at one end. Condoms have been used for hundreds of years to prevent pregnancy by keeping a man's semen out of a woman's vagina. Condoms also help prevent diseases that are spread by semen, vaginal fluids, blood or by contact with infected sores in the genital area, including HIV. Most condoms are made to go over a man's penis. A new type of condom was designed to fit a woman's vagina. This "female" condom can also be used to protect the rectum.

What are they made of?

Condoms used to be made of natural skin (including lambskin) or of rubber. That's why they are called "rubbers". Most condoms today are latex, but condoms made from polyurethane are also available.

Lambskin condoms can prevent pregnancy. However, they have tiny holes (pores) that are large enough for HIV to get through. Lambskin condoms do not prevent the spread of HIV.

Latex is the most common material for condoms. Viruses can not get through it. Latex is inexpensive and available in many styles. It has two drawbacks: oils make it break down (tiny holes may occur not visible to the eye) and some people are allergic to it.

Polyurethane is a widely-available option for people who are allergic to latex, but they are more pricey than latex. 

 

How are condoms used?

Condoms can protect you during contact between the penis, mouth, vagina, or rectum. Condoms won't protect you unless you use them correctly.

• Store condoms away from too much heat, cold or friction. Do not keep them in a wallet or a car glove compartment.
• Check the expiration date. Don't use outdated condoms.
• Don't open a condom package with your teeth. Be careful that your fingernails or jewelry don't tear the condom. Body jewelry in or around your mouth, penis or vagina might also tear a condom.
• Use a new condom every time you have sex, or when the penis moves from the rectum to vagina.
• Check the condom during sex, especially if it feels strange, to make sure it is still in place and unbroken.
• Do not use a male condom and female condom at the same time.
• Use water-based lubricants with latex condoms not oil-based. The oils in Crisco, butter, baby oil, Vaseline or cold cream will make latex fall apart.
• Use unlubricated condoms for oral sex (most lubricants taste awful).
• Do not throw condoms into a toilet. They can clog plumbing.

 

The male condom is readily available in drugstores. It is most often made of latex and if used correctly is effective in preventing HIV transmission. Condoms can provide substantial risk reduction if used correctly and consistently:
 

• Put the condom on when erect and BEFORE any CONTACT
• For increased pleasure put some water based lubricant inside the tip of the condom.
• If you are not circumcised, push your foreskin back before you put on a condom. This lets your foreskin move without breaking the condom.
• Squeeze the air out of the tip of the condom to leave room for semen (cum) and unroll the rest of the condom down to the base of the penis. Apply lube to the exterior (even with lubed condoms) of the condom.
• Do not  use two condoms. Friction between the condoms increases the chance of breakage.
• Do NOT use oil-based oils, creams or jellies
• After orgasm, hold the base of the condom and pull out before your penis gets soft.
• Be careful not to spill semen onto your partner when you throw the condom away.

 

The female condom is a sleeve of polyurethane with a closed end and larger open end. There is a flexible ring in each end.

Unlike latex condoms, polyurethane does not break down when exposed to heat and light, so the female condom may be stored for up to 5 years. While they provide women with more control in sexual encounters, they are not without problems. They are more costly than male condoms, and some women complain they are uncomfortable and noisy. Polyurethane is an option for people who are allergic to latex, but only the female condom and one brand of male condom are made of polyurethane.

Like the male condom, proper use is crucial to the female condoms effectiveness:

• Put the condom in place before your partner's penis touches your vagina or rectum.
• For use in the vagina, squeeze the smaller ring and insert it into the vagina, like inserting a diaphragm. The larger ring goes over the opening to the vagina to protect the outside sex organs from infection.
• For use in the rectum or anus, remove the inner smaller ring. Put the condom over your partner's erect penis. The condom will be inserted into the rectum along with the penis.
• Guide the penis into the large ring to avoid unprotected contact between the penis and the partner's vagina or rectum.
• Leave the outer ring and about 2cm of the SHEATH lying outside the vagina
• Ensure that the penis is inserted INSIDE (not underneath or beside) the sheath
• ENSURE that the outer ring is not pushed into the vagina during intercourse
• After sex, remove the condom before standing up. Twist the larger outer ring to keep the semen inside. Gently pull the condom out and throw it away.
• Remove the condom IMMEDIATELY after use.

NOTE:
Lambskin condoms can prevent pregnancy. However, they have tiny holes (pores) that are large enough for HIV to get through.
Lambskin condoms do not prevent the spread of HIV.

 

Nonoxynol-9 is a chemical that kills sperm (a spermicide) used in lubricants and lubricated condoms. It can help prevent pregnancy when it is used in the vagina along with condoms or other birth control methods. Nonoxynol-9 should not be used in the mouth or rectum.
Because nonoxynol-9 kills HIV in the test tube, it used to be considered as a way to prevent HIV infection during intercourse. Unfortunately, many people are allergic to it. Their sex organs (penis, vagina and rectum) can get irritated and develop small sores that actually make it easier for HIV infection to occur. We recommend not using condoms with lubricant containing Non-9 since it is also known to break down latex and increase the risk of HIV and STD infection. 
Nonoxoynol-9 does not prevent the spread of HIV.

 

The bottom line:
When used correctly, condoms are the best way to prevent the spread of HIV during sexual activity. Condoms can protect the mouth, vagina or rectum from HIV-infected semen. They can protect the penis from HIV-infected vaginal fluids and blood in the mouth, vagina or rectum. They can also prevent other sexually transmitted diseases.
 

Condoms must be stored, used and disposed of correctly. Male condoms are used on the penis. Female condoms can be used in the vagina or rectum.