The Facts About Condoms

Some say condoms make sex "safe." But how well do condoms work? Can you still get a sexually transmitted infection (STI)? Can you still get pregnant? You bet!

If you are worried about STIs, condoms just reduce your risk; they don't eliminate it. And about 1 of every 5 teen couples using condoms for birth control get pregnant within a year.[1] So even if you use a condom every time you have sex, you're still at risk for STIs and pregnancy.

The STI Epidemic
Every year, 1 in 4 young people under 25 gets an STI.[2] There are at least 25 different STIs. Many of these have no cure. Untreated STIs can cause long-term pain, some cancers and even death. Consider the facts:

* Chlamydia and Gonorrhea

If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you can cut your chance of getting chlamydia or gonorrhea in half. [3,4] Chlamydia and gonorrhea infections are common in teens. But you probably won't know if you're infected because most people with these infections have no symptoms. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still spread these infections. If left untreated, both chlamydia and gonorrhea can cause long-term pain and problems getting pregnant when you want to.[5]

* Genital Herpes

If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you can cut your chance of getting genital herpes in half.[6,7] Genital herpes infects 1 in 6 teens and adults.[8] Once you're infected, you have it for life. If you don't stay on medication, sores can keep coming back. Even if you have no symptoms, you can still spread the infection to others.

* HPV (Human Papillomavirus)

If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you may be able to cut your chance of getting HPV in half.[9-12] HPV is a very common STI in the US. About half of all sexually active college-age females get HPV.[13] Most people with HPV have no symptoms. HPV can cause genital warts or cancer of the cervix, penis or anus.[14]

* HIV/AIDS

If you use condoms every time you have vaginal sex, you can cut your chance of getting HIV by 85%.[10,15] That might sound pretty good, but that still leaves you at risk for infection. HIV/AIDS has killed nearly half a million Americans

How much do you know about safe sex? Take the Quiz.

True or False
1. Abstinence is 100% effective in protecting yourself from pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases.
2. 82% of pregnancies which occur to teens are unintended.
3. Three million teens per year contract or get an STD form sexual activity.
4. You can still get an STD such as herpes or warts even if you use a condom.

5. Good reasons to wait until marriage to have sex include
a. don’t want to get an STD
b. don’t want to become a teen parent
c. avoid getting a bad reputation
d. desire to have an exclusive relationship shared with no one else
e. all of the above

6. Latex Condoms tear, break or slip off __% of the time.
a. 26.5 %
b. 3.9%
c. 24%
d. 10%
e. 0%

7. __% of sexually active young people contract an STD.
a. 25%
b. 3%
c. 12%
d. 20%

8. In the United States, as many as ____ people are infected with a viral (incurable) STD
a. 25 million
b. 15 million
c. 70 million
d. 65 million

Quiz Answers:

1. True
2. True
3. True
4. True
5. E
6. B
7. A
8. D