Condoms - Know The Facts!
Condoms can prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and pregnancy. If you don’t use condoms you’re taking a big risk. It’s really important to start a discussion with your partner about using condoms – the responsibility for keeping safe lies with both of you. It can be a bit difficult, especially if you don’t know someone well, to bring up the subject of using condoms, but do you really want to take the risks that go with NOT using one? Condoms protect you from most STIs. See ‘safer sex’ for more information.
Where can I get condoms?
In Lothian, you can get free condoms with a c:card. Visit http://ccard.org.uk/points/index.php, or visit one of the young people’s services in the address book, to find out about getting one. It’s simple to get condoms. If you’re 13 or over, c:card means you can get them free at c:card points throughout Edinburgh and the Lothians.
You can get condoms in all sorts of colours, textures, sizes and flavours. You can also buy condoms from supermarkets, chemists, corner shops and petrol stations. There’s no age restriction on buying condoms, but they are expensive.
How do I use a condom?
Get into the habit of having them with you.
Condoms are part of everyday life now. So, if you’re thinking of having sex, go along and get a c:card, discuss how to use condoms safely, and practice using them first by yourself. Get into the habit of having them with you. If you are under 16, you can go to a c:card plus point where you will be shown how to use a condom using a condom demonstrator. This will happen in a private space and you will have the opportunity to ask any questions.
Read the condom instructions (see www.ccard.org.uk) or ask for a demonstration at any Healthy Respect drop-in or c:card point.
Is it safe to use lubricants?
If you use an oil-based lubricant (like baby oil, vaseline or suntan oil) it can burst your condom. It’s safe to use water based lubricants, which are available when you get condoms from c:card.
When can we stop using condoms?
If you’ve been with the same person for a while and can trust them, you might decide that you want to stop using condoms. Take time to think and talk about this first, and if either of you have had a previous sexual partner, you can get tested to make sure neither of you has an STI (including HIV). You can get tested at the GUM Clinic and some of the other services listed in the address book.
You also need to agree that you’ll be honest with each other if either of you has unprotected sex with someone else. And remember to carry on using other contraception if you want to prevent pregnancy.
What about contraception?
Types of contraception: quick guide
What is emergency contraception?