using a condom correctly and consistently can protect against unwanted pregnancies and hiv/aids as well as a variety of other sexually transmitted diseases including hepatitis b gonorrhea syphilis and the virus that cause genital warts. health experts credit the widespread use of condoms for reining in the hiv/aids epidemic in many parts of the world. some studies show that condoms are more than 90% effective at preventing hiv transmission. here are some tips for getting the maximum protection from condoms: don't take it off before ejaculation. store condoms in a cool and dry place out of sunlight. your wallet's fine for the weekend but don't depend on a rubber you tucked away a year ago. check the expiration date. if yours has expired toss it. don't reuse condoms. use a new condom if you switch from vaginal sex to anal sex and vice versa. for latex condoms use only water-based lubricants (k-y and astroglide for instance). don't depend on natural skin or lambskin condoms to protect against stds. if you're sensitive or allergic to latex try a synthetic condom (usually made of polyurethane). these typically have a longer shelf life and can be used with both water- and oil-based lubricants. the downside: the ability of synthetics to fully protect against stds hasn't been proved. avoid condoms with spermicide. these are no more effective than plain condoms at preventing pregnancy and they have a shorter shelf life. make donning a condom part of the pleasure of foreplay. that way you're less likely to lose your erection.
how do i get maximum protection from a condom?