Condoms and Dental Dams

A condom is a thin sheath or "skin" of latex or polyurethane which fits over the erect penis. It prevents the escape of ejaculated semen during vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse or manual play. Condoms are available in various shapes, colors, and flavors. Some may opt for specialty condoms which have pleasure ribs, bumps, and reservoir tips. Non-lubricated or flavored condoms can and should be used during oral sex to protect against STDs.

Use: When used in vaginal intercourse, the condom should be used in conjunction with another method of contraception to assure maximum protection against pregnancy. Among the options are spermicidal foam, cream, jelly, the diaphragm, or the Pill, all discussed under Safer Sex. Put the condom on the erect penis before it contacts any mucous membranes or genitalia. Unroll the condom approximately one half inch, then place the open end over the erect penis. This extra half inch should hang loosely past the head of the penis to catch the semen. Many condoms also have reservoir tips which serve the same purpose. Squeeze the end to make sure no air is trapped inside. The condom should then be unrolled down to the base of the penis. When unrolling the condom, be careful not to puncture or tear it with your fingernails. After ejaculation, the penis should be withdrawn before the erection subsides. When withdrawing, one should be careful to hold on to the rim at the base of the condom and be careful not to spill any semen on his partner. Should the condom tear or come off during vaginal intercourse, foam should be inserted immediately and consider contacting the Health Center regarding the Morning After Pill.

Condoms come with expiration dates and must be kept away from heat. Condoms which are still "good" should have an air bubble in the package. If either the package or the condom is flat, cracked or looks dried, the condom should not be used. Lubricants like K-Y Jelly should be used with condoms. A condom should be used only once and then it should be discarded.

For highest effectiveness, condoms should always be used with a vaginal spermicide. There are a number of insertable spermicides-creams, jellies, suppositories, sponges, and foam, all of which are intended to block the cervix and kill sperm. Effectiveness varies greatly. These products are often labeled unclearly, and it is not always possible to be sure whether they are meant to be. Vaginal contraceptives are most effective when used with some form of barrier method such as a condom and should never be used alone.

Another important part of safer sex practices is the dental dam. The dental dam is a square piece of thin latex, much like the latex in condoms, that is used to prevent the transmission of STDs when oral sex is performed on a woman. When used, the dental dam is stretched across a woman’s vagina to prevent exchange of bodily fluids. The dental dam itself is not lubricated, but using a water-based lubricant on the vagina side of the dental dam may be useful in helping to keep it in place, and to increase feeling. Although it has not been established that the HIV virus can be transmitted during vaginal oral sex, many other diseases can be transmitted from mouth to vagina or vice-versa, including herpes and genital warts.

Dental dams can be made from condoms with two easy snips as shown to the right.

Advantages:

• Condoms, along with dental dams, provide the best protection, save for abstinence, against sexually transmitted diseases including HIV.
• They are highly effective when used in conjunction with another form of contraception, such as spermicidal foam, cream, jelly, sponge, or diaphragm.
• They have little health risk. Some people may have an allergic reaction to the latex or lubricant of a certain condom brand, but this problem can usually be resolved by changing brands.
• They are easily accessible and available free from the Health Center and Peer Health.
• When used with spermicide, latex not only blocks sperm and STD transmission, it kills both sperm and, at least in the laboratory, some STDs.

Disadvantages:

• Some couples consider it a disadvantage that a condom must be put on prior to intercourse, thus interrupting foreplay. Others, however, integrate condom application as part of the foreplay.
• Some men find that a condom dulls sensation. Try adding just a drop of K-Y jelly to the inside of the tip to improve feeling.
• Some people find condoms irritating.
• Some people may be allergic to spermicides.