Beyond โคBirth Control: Condomsโ Offer Critical STI Protection, Experts โคSay
NEW โDELHI – While widely recognizedโ for preventing unintended pregnancy, condomsโค provideโฃ a crucial, often underemphasized benefit: protectionโ against sexually transmitted infections โข(STIs),โ including โHIV. Health professionals are reinforcing this message as โSTIโ rates remain a significantโ public health concern.
Condoms โขact as a physical barrier, dramatically reducing the risk of transmitting STIs by preventing the exchange of bodily fluids โขand โฃminimizing โขcontact with โฃinfected skinโ during sexual activity. This protection extends to various forms of sexual contact – vaginal,anal,and oral – and even applies to shared sex โคtoys,according to Doctor Tanaya,a leading voice in sexual health education. โข”Make sure toโ always cover the penis with a condomโ in cases of anal, oralโ or vaginal sex,” Doctor Tanaya stated. She further advises condom use on shared sex toys during vaginalโ intercourse to mitigate transmission risks.
However, โit’s vitalโค to note โthat condoms areโ not foolproofโข against all STIs. Infections causing extra-genital ulcers, such as syphilis and herpes, can โstill be transmitted despiteโข consistent condom โฃuse. Therefore, regular STI testing, particularly with โnew partners, โคremainsโ vital for โคcomprehensive sexual health management. Consistent and correct condom usage, coupledโ with routine screenings, offersโ the most โฃrobust defense against the spread of STIs and safeguards individual and public health.