18. Condoms: Yes or No? -- Uses, Misuses, Benefits and Risks

There is no conclusive proof that "HIV" exists or causes any Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) or other disease. Therefore, there is no justification for using condoms to prevent infection with a virus that has not been purified, proven to exist, or proven to be pathogenic after 30 years. However, other STDs have been proven to be caused by various sexually transmitted microbes.

Condoms are one method used to protect against transmission of STD microbes during sexual intercourse, by providing a physical barrier. However, there are problems and even risks that at least for some people may make condoms increase rather than decrease risk of infection. 

If, for example, someone is allergic to the latex used in most condoms, or to the lube on its surface or to the spermicide that some contain, then the skin and mucous membranes can be irritated, break, and/or blister, damaging the body's own protective barrier. Moreover, there are reported cases of a small number of those allergic experiencing anaphylactic shock, which can be quickly fatal.

The condoms themselves can have tiny invisible or even visible holes or tears, through which even tinier microbes can pass. This suggests that using two condoms may provide a better protective barrier. 

It seems that abstinence and condoms are the only two ways to prevent STD transmission that we hear about, but there are other ways to reduce the risk of STDs:

1. Stay healthy and keep your immune system healthy. Eat well, exercise, sleep well, drink lots of water (hydrate),  and avoid:  drugs, alcohol, smoke, exposure to toxic chemicals, etc. A robust immune system functions to prevent and stop any infection. It has many more benefits, and poses zero risks.

2. Avoid sex when either partner has a rash, broken skin, or open sores. When these natural barriers are broken, infectious microbes can gain entry.

3. If you choose to use condoms as well, cut down on the risk by avoiding spermicide, synthetic chemical lubes, and, if possible use safer alternatives to latex, the most common material used to manufacture condoms (because it is cheaper not because it is healthier). Alternative materials used to manufacture condoms include polyurethane (another synthetic polymer) and lambskin. Lambskin has pores large enough to allow significant numbers of microbes through, but block larger sperm. Hence, lambskin condoms are recommended only for preventing pregnancy, and not for preventing STDs. Immediately afterwards, be sure to flush with water any body surfaces that come into contact with condoms.

Whether or not to use condoms is a choice for sex partners to make together with knowledge of their risks and benefits.

Again, condom use is discussed for preventing STDs, but HIV, although listed as an STD, has not been proven to be one.

http://www.md-health.com/Condom-Allergy.html

http://www.drweil.com/drw/u/id/QAA368178

http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/allergies/latex-allergy.aspx

http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/latex-allergy.html

http://advocatesaz.org/2012/05/02/allergic-to-latex-you-can-still-have-safer-sex/

http://www.cosmopolitan.com/sex-love/advice/a479/allergic-to-condoms/

http://www.virusmyth.com/aids/index/safesex.htm

http://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/condoms/basics/risks/prc-20014118

https://www.facebook.com/groups/HIV.AIDS.Alterntives/


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Copyright 2014 by Richard Jannaccio