10% of Couples Use Condoms. Should You Be One of Them?

Condoms are nice—they’re out there in virtually any drug retailer or clinic they usually shield towards being pregnant and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Greater than half of U.S. couples use a condom once they have intercourse for the primary time, and over ninety three% have used condoms sooner or later.

The variety of couples counting on condoms tends to go down as relationships last more, so it’s protected to say a variety of couples begin off utilizing them after which change to a different technique of contraception once they turn into unique. Beginning a brand new technique of contraception (perhaps one which’s simpler for stopping being pregnant than condoms) doesn’t need to imply forgoing condoms. Doubling up with condoms and one other technique is a superb choice for a lot of couples. However for those who and your companion have been utilizing condoms and need to cease, right here are some things to sq. away beforehand.

Get your check (GYT)
Female and male condoms are the one strategies that may shield towards STIs. That features those that may simply be handled—like gonorrhea and chlamydia—and the not-so-simply handled—like herpes and HIV.

Simply because neither of you have got bumps or rashes doesn’t imply you’re essentially within the clear; STIs may be there with out you even figuring out it. So even should you’re fairly positive you don’t have an STI, you must each get examined for widespread infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV. You might also need to ask a few herpes check; your healthcare supplier will often ask questions to determine if it is sensible to check for that too. It’a additionally a good time to ensure your HPV vaccine collection (three photographs!) is completed and your Pap smears are updated.

All of those checks might be executed and not using a bodily examination:

For chlamydia and gonorrhea, you simply want to offer a urine pattern. Yup, it’s a easy as peeing in a cup.
For HIV, syphilis and herpes, it’s a blood check. Meaning offering a small pattern of blood at a lab or clinic.

Then just some days of awkward ready and also you’ll have your outcomes!

Drumroll, please
When you get your check outcomes, you might have a couple of extra steps to take earlier than it’s protected to cease utilizing condoms.

Constructive for chlamydia, gonorrhea, or syphilis
These STIs can all be cured with antibiotics. Chances are you’ll take drugs, get a shot, or each. The remedy is determined by the kind of an infection. You could be completed after one shot, one capsule, or every week of tablets. Your healthcare supplier might advocate that you simply get examined once more within the coming months to ensure the an infection is cleared up. When you have any signs or considerations after you’ve completed the remedy, speak to your supplier and determine what to do.

Constructive for HIV, herpes, or hepatitis
These STIs can’t be cured, however they are often managed with medicines that scale back the viral load (the quantity of the virus in your physique) and a associate’s probability of getting the identical an infection. Though the medicines scale back the prospect of giving the virus to a associate, they don’t assure it. That signifies that you’d want to speak to your companion about the way you each really feel taking this opportunity with out condoms. (In the event you determine to maintain utilizing condoms, you’re in good firm. About 10% of U.S. couples of all ages depend on condoms.)

All clear
In case you’re each within the clear, you’ll be able to have the “let’s cease utilizing condoms” dialog.

In the event you’re not prepared for teenagers but: This can be a good time to speak about what different technique you need to use for being pregnant prevention. Clearly whoever is utilizing the tactic ought to have last say, nevertheless it is perhaps good to have each companions concerned within the determination. You may also speak to your healthcare supplier that will help you work out which technique is greatest for you.
When you’re quitting condoms with a purpose to begin making an attempt for a child: It’s a good suggestion to verify in together with your healthcare supplier a couple of months forward of time. Even for ladies with out well being issues, there are some basic items you are able to do to have a more healthy being pregnant. For instance, taking prenatal nutritional vitamins prevents sure forms of delivery defects. Your supplier may also offer you good ideas for methods to improve your probabilities of getting pregnant. Good luck!

Jessica Morse is an ob/gyn at Duke College the place she works with residents offering a full spectrum of reproductive well being care. Her major analysis curiosity is growing the variety of ladies who find out about lengthy-appearing reversible contraceptives (IUDs and implants), within the U.S., Uganda, Rwanda and Honduras. She lives in Durham, NC, together with her husband and foolish three-yr-previous son, the place they spend weekends climbing, hanging out at playgrounds, and exploring the Bull Metropolis.