Condoms: The How To’s...

by Terje Anderson
Vermont CARES

Condoms are one of the most valuable
tools we have in fighting the spread of
Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome
(A.I.D.S.). Tests have shown that condoms
effectively block the transmission of the
virus (HIV) which causes A.I.D.S. Con-
doms also play a valuable role in stopping
other sexually transmitted infections.

They are, however, only effective if
used properly.

While it may seem like a simple pro-
position ("Just put it on"), in fact there are
a few simple things which are important to
remember about condoms.

Condoms have about a ten per cent
failure rate when used as a birth control
method. Virtually all of those failures
could be prevented if the condom were
used correctly. The same can be said of
using condoms to prevent transmission of
sexually transmitted infections.

Before the A.I.D.S. epidemic, condoms
had fallen into general disfavor, being
replaced by other birth control devices (the
pill, diaphragm, etc.). Many people have
forgotten how to use them, or never
learned. Gay and bisexual men may never
even have thought about them. A.I.D.S.

VT CARES
Condom Give-away

Vermont CARES gave away more
than 500 gift-wrapped packages of condoms
as part of a Valentine's Day safe sex
education effort. Ten Vermont CARES
volunteers visited Colors in Brattleboro and
Pearls in Burlington to distribute the
condoms and risk reduction information.

Clad in tee-shirts emblazoned with the
words "Free Condoms Here, Get Them
While You’re Hot," the volunteers reported
an enthusiastic reaction from many of the
bar-goers.

"We want to bring condoms out of the
closet and into the open, we want to make
people comfortable thinking about them
and talking about them," said Terje
Anderson, Executive Director of Vermont
CARES. "We decided to do the bars on
Valentine's Day because it was a fun and
enjoyable way to introduce condoms to
people."

"This is great!" said one Burlington
man. "I've never" even seen one of these
things before, now I know how to use
them. I can hardly wait to try it out."

Vermont CARES plans a wide range
of future healthy sex educational
promotions. For more information on
upcoming activities, contact Vermont
CARES at 862-5917, or write Box 1125,
Montpelier 05602.

has changed all that, and now is a good
time for a quick refresher course.

A step by step guide to using a
condom

Putting it am

Put the condom on an erect penis. If
using a condom without a reservoir tip,
leave about 1/2 inch of space at the tip.
Squeeze any air out of the tip before
unrolling (air bubbles may cause breakage).
If putting a condom on an uncircumcised
penis, pull the foreskin back before
unrolling. Carefully unroll the condom
down the length of the shaft.

Using it

Use plenty of water based lubricant on
the outside of the condom and on the
anus before entry. (Pre-lubed condoms
usually need more lube before using -- they
may dry out and break.

Using a water based lubricant is
important, because oil based lubricants
weaken the condom and cause breakage.

Water based lubricants include KY.
Probe; Foreplay, I-I-R. and Ortho. Never
use baby oil, Crisco, Vaseline products, sun
tan oil, or commercial oil based lubricants.

 

INFORMA_T_I__ON

If the penis becomes soft during
intercourse, or if the hole seems to be
pulling the condom too tightly, holding
fingers around the base of the condom will
prevent it from sliding off.

Add more lubricant during sex if the
condom seems to be drying out. Withdraw
immediately if you feet the condom break
or tear.

Pullirigout

Withdraw after ejaculation while the
penis is still erect. Waiting until the penis
is soft means the condom may slip off
inside of partner or that cum may spill.
Hold onto the base of the condom and
pull out gently.

Throw used condoms away

Never reuse a condom. and never use
the same condom to have sex with different
people.

These simple and easy to follow steps
will make condoms an even more efficient
way of preventing HIV transmission.

(Next month: How to have fun with
condoms. making them an enjoyable part of
your sex life.)

NGLTF Questions AIDS Testing

The Centers for Disease Control is
considering recommendations that HIV
antibody testing be greatly expanded,
including mandatory tests for all hospital
admissions and those seeking marriage
licenses.

The National Gay and Lesbian Task
Force has opposed mandatory and
involuntary testing and questions the
wisdom of the proposed new testing.

PPNNE Offers AIDS
and Sexuality Information

Edsoiirce, a newsletter published by
Planned Parenthood of Northern New
England, will devote the May issue to
AIDS. Accompanying the cover article by
Deborah Kutzko of the Vermont
Department of Health will be book and
media reviews of materials available for
loan from our library.

Anyone interested in receiving a copy,

of this newsletter can call Connie Leff or
Ian Hughes Fuller at 862-9637.

The lending library of Planned
Parenthood is available for use 8:30 - 5:00,
Monday through Friday. A library card fee
of $5.00 entitles individuals to borrow
books for one year. Materials can be
mailed directly to you if you are not within
the Chittenden County area.

NGLTF has asked the CDC to
address the following concerns about the
proposals:

Can less intrusive measures to promote
A.I.D.S. prevention be used? England and
Switzerland, for example, have undertaken

major education programs to reach every.

individual, regardless of so-called risk
group. The United States has not.

Is testing a necessary part of a
prevention program? A testing program is
only as good as the counseling and
education programs which accompany it.
The experience of the gay community is
that this requires long-term education and
counseling. There is no evidence that
knowledge of antibody status is a
precondition for changing behavior.

What consideration has been given to
the special counseling needs of individuals
who self-define as low risk but will learn
they are seropositive? The experience of
blood banks is that an unexpected positive
test result is devastating news requiring
extensive long term counseling. The CDC
does not take this kind of costly counseling
into account. .

What impact will testing have on
prevention efforts with those who engage in
risky behavior but test negative? By testing
and targeting those who are positive for
special attention, denial is encouraged

continued, page 4