>Personal Health >HIV >FAQ >Prevention

Frequently Asked Questions - Prevention

There are lots of condoms on the market. Which ones work best? The condoms that have been proved best to help prevent the transmission of HIV are made of latex. For those with latex allergies it is recommended that you use a polyurethane condom, currently sold under the name of Avanti.

If a person is taking birth control pills, there is no need to worry about HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, right? Wrong. Birth control pills are made to prevent pregnancy, and do not STD's. There is currently no pill on the market that can do that.

What is this about a new "female condom"? This is something new on the market in the last two years. The brand name is Reality, and it is the only woman controlled contraceptive for protection against HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STD). It's made of polyurethane, which is less irritating. It can be inserted up to 8 hours ahead of sexual intercourse without interfering with normal body functions. Another benefit of polyurethane is that it conducts heat, and sensations are not dulled. This product comes with a water based lubricant, but oil based products can be used.

The female condom does take some getting used to, but it is catching on with women. Most like the fact that they don't have to depend on someone else for protection, and by inserting it ahead of time, lovemaking is not interrupted.

A sample of this product is available at the Orange County Health Department.