Thread by @WHO

#Condoms, when used correctly and consistently, are safe and highly effective in:
🤰🏾preventing unwanted pregnancy
🛡️preventing sexually transmitted infections, including HIV

#WorldCondomDay

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO DYK: #Condoms are available for men and women.

🧔🏿Male condoms are sheaths or coverings that fit over a man's erect penis
👩🏻Female condoms are sheaths, or linings, that fit loosely inside a woman's vagina, made of thin, transparent, soft plastic film

#WorldCondomDay
📷: @UNICEF

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF The female #condom is about the same length as the male condom but is wider for a looser fit, allowing freedom in movement that some say provides a more natural feeling.
Lubricant is used on the inside and the outside of female condoms.

#WorldCondomDay

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF #Condoms can be made of latex, polyurethane, synthetic material, or animal tissue.
New male and female condoms are being developed by research teams around the world.

#WorldCondomDay

📷: @epaphotos

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF @epaphotos A very small number of men and women are allergic to latex or to chemicals added to latex - these people should not use latex #condoms.
They should be counselled to use synthetic condoms such as polyurethane condoms.

#WorldCondomDay

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF @epaphotos #Condom effectiveness depends on user behaviour in opening the package, putting on the condom, type of sexual activity, lubrication, and number of times an individual condom is used.
Condoms are designed for single use only.

#WorldCondomDay

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF @epaphotos AVOID oil-based lubricants such as petroleum jelly, hand lotion, baby oil, or edible oils.
These weaken latex #condoms and make them more prone to breakage, therefore making them less effective.

#WorldCondomDay #InternationalCondomDay

📷: @epaphotos

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF @epaphotos WHO recommends that #condoms with Nonoxynol-9 (N-9) spermicidal treatment no longer be promoted due to adverse side effects.
N-9 does not provide extra protection against HIV/STI, instead it actually increases the risk of HIV infection when used frequently by high risk women.

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF @epaphotos Non-lubricated #condoms increase risk of HIV/STIs because they are more likely to tear and they can cause lesions on the vaginal wall

#WorldCondomDay #InternationalCondomDay

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF @epaphotos Sexual stimulation can be enhanced when a man allows their partner to put the #condom on him prior to sexual intercourse.

#WorldCondomDay #InternationalCondomDay

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF @epaphotos Male and female #condoms cannot get lodged inside the uterus, nor do they have any harmful effects on a foetus if the woman is pregnant. The opening to the cervix is far too small to allow a condom to pass through.

#WorldCondomDay
#InternationalCondomDay

@pahowho @WHO_Europe @WHOEMRO @WHOAFRO @WHOSEARO @WHOWPRO @UNICEF @epaphotos Avoid using #condoms that are expired - see manufacturing or expiry date on the package.

Do NOT use a latex condom more than 5 years old, it’s expired and may break during use

#WorldCondomDay
#InternationalCondomDay

📷: @UNAIDS