For those who’re utilizing a condom throughout intercourse, you may suppose there isn’t any likelihood that you possibly can catch an STD like chlamydia, however it is a full delusion! In truth, condoms are by no means 100% efficient, so you should still be in danger. On this article, our Medical Director explores how efficient condoms are, plus, extra methods you possibly can shield your self towards getting chlamydia.
So, first issues first, are you able to catch chlamydia when utilizing a condom?
Sure, you possibly can catch chlamydia, even when utilizing a barrier methodology of safety. Condoms are solely 50-90% efficient towards chlamydia transmission. That is largely right down to utilizing the condom incorrectly, which may improve the chance of STD spreading.
Learn on to study extra about utilizing a condom accurately to maximise its effectiveness, different methods you possibly can scale back the possibility of STD transmission with a condom, and methods to get examined for chlamydia.
Can Chlamydia Unfold Even When Utilizing a Condom?
Condoms are an efficient technique to shield your self from most STDs, together with chlamydia. They supply a barrier towards micro organism, vastly lowering the possibility of bodily fluid alternate.
That being stated, the Nationwide Library of Medication means that condoms could solely be 50-90% effective towards the transmission of chlamydia.
Which means there should be an opportunity of catching the STD, even when a feminine or male condom is used. This discount in effectiveness largely comes right down to incorrect condom use, which we clarify in additional element beneath.
What Different STDs Can Unfold When Utilizing a Condom?
It might sound stunning, however most STDs can unfold even when utilizing a barrier methodology of safety, like a condom. Within the desk beneath, we discover a number of the commonest STDs within the UK and US, and condom’s effectiveness towards transmission of them:
Knowledge taken from Indian J Intercourse Transm Dis AIDS. 2015 Jul-Dec;36(2):133–139. doi: 10.4103/2589-0557.167135
How Can You Cut back the Danger Of Transmission, Even When Utilizing Condoms?
While condoms might be a good way to cut back your possibilities of catching or spreading an STD, there are additional steps you possibly can take to guard your sexual well being. Discover out extra beneath:
Don’t Have Intercourse With Somebody Who’s Examined Constructive
It might sound apparent, but when your sexual associate has not too long ago examined optimistic for an STD like chlamydia, it is necessary that you just abstain from any type of sexual content material (even with a condom!) till they’ve absolutely accomplished their treatment and acquired affirmation that the an infection has cleared.
Even when signs disappear earlier than the therapy is completed, the an infection should be current and transmissible. Participating in any sexual exercise too quickly will increase the chance of reinfection, which may lengthen the an infection and make it tougher to deal with. Earlier than you interact in sexual actions once more, ensure your associate has a confirmed damaging take a look at end result, and get examined your self, even when you have no signs.
Use Condoms Accurately
While condoms are some of the efficient methods to guard your self towards completely different STDs, they aren’t at all times used accurately, lowering their effectiveness. Widespread errors when utilizing condoms embody:
- Utilizing out-of-date condoms
- Reusing condoms for various sexual acts
- Making use of the condom earlier than penetrative intercourse, however nonetheless having unprotected oral or anal intercourse (you can still get chlamydia from oral sex)
- Not leaving house on the tip, which may trigger the condom to interrupt
- Not rolling the condom down absolutely, leaving elements of the penis uncovered
- Eradicating the condom incorrectly, resulting in potential publicity to fluids
- Not checking for injury earlier than use, as small tears or expired condoms can scale back safety
- Utilizing oil-based lubricants with latex condoms, which may weaken the fabric and trigger breakage
- Not being in line with condom utilization
To cut back the chance of chlamydia and different STDs, it’s important to make use of condoms accurately each time. All the time examine the expiration date, observe the directions, and use a brand new condom for every sexual act.
Get Examined Frequently
Getting an STD take a look at frequently is likely one of the finest issues you are able to do to your well being, however it’s not so simple as taking one each 6 months and calling it a day. You really must do it way more usually to be able to have full peace of thoughts. Right here’s when you ought to be taking a full STD test:
- Earlier than sleeping with somebody new
- After each new sexual associate (after ready the really helpful incubation time, often 2 weeks)
- For those who expertise any signs (corresponding to uncommon discharge, ache, or irritation)
- In case your associate has been recognized with an STD
- Each 6-12 months should you’re sexually energetic, even should you don’t have any signs
- For those who’re planning to get pregnant, or in case you are presently pregnant
For extra info, learn our useful article: How Often Should You Take an STD Test?
Contemplate Further Safety Strategies
While condoms considerably scale back the chance of STDs, as does checking you’re free from STDs with common testing, combining these with different preventative measures can give you much more safety.
- Utilizing dental dams for oral intercourse to cut back the chance of transmission.
- Choosing inside (feminine) condoms, which may present higher protection and safety. Nonetheless, don’t double up on condoms as this may trigger friction, resulting in breakage.
- Getting vaccinated towards STDs like HPV (Human Papilloma Virus), hepatitis A, and hepatitis B.
- Taking PrEP (Pre-Publicity Prophylaxis) should you’re at excessive threat for HIV.
Get Examined For Chlamydia With Your Sexual Well being
For those who suppose you could have chlamydia, it’s essential that you just take a take a look at two weeks after publicity. At Your Sexual Well being, we provide quite a lot of testing choices at our personal sexual well being clinics across the UK, or by way of a home testing kit. We additionally supply instant testing and assessments that check for a range of common STIs with the identical blood, swab and urine samples.
Undecided what you want? Get in touch with our friendly team who’ll be capable to advise on the very best take a look at to take. Or, should you’ve not too long ago examined optimistic for chlamydia, learn this beneficial information: What To Do if You Have Chlamydia
