Most contraceptives don't guard against HIV and other STDs; only condoms do. Although not 100% guaranteed, if used correctly everytime you have sex, condoms are your safest bet. For HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted disease protection, a new one is needed each and every time you have intercourse, even if you are using another form of birth control.

Adequate lubrication is important. Use a pre-lubricated condom, or with latex condoms, use only water-based lubricants, like K-Y jelly or Astroglide - inside and outside the condom to help prevent rips. Oil-based lubricants like petroleum jellies, body lotions, mineral or vegetable oils should not be used because they can dissolve the condom. For plastic condoms like the Durex Avanti or Trojan Supra, any type of lubricant can be used.

Condoms can have a shelf life of up to five years after the date of manufacture. Be sure to look at package dates. If a condom is past the date, looks brittle, sticky, dry, or stiff it should not be used.

Before using any condom, read and rely solely on the manufactures specific effectiveness claims, warnings and directions for use. Carefully follow the manufacturer instructions for use printed on inner side of the product cartons, individual wrappers, or inserts.

Store condoms in a cool, dark place away from heat, humidity, and sunlight which can degrade latex causing it to tear or break. To open, the condom package should be torn carefully and pulled out slowly; do not use teeth, fingernails or scissors, which could tear the condom.

The condom should be put on before the penis comes in contact with your partners' mouth, vagina, or anus. The rolled condom should be placed over the head of a hard and erect penis, leaving a half-inch of space at the tip to collect semen. (Pinching the air out of the tip with thumb and forefinger while rolling down can help to prevent breakage). If the penis is uncircumcised, pull the foreskin back before putting on the condom. With the rolled ring on the outside, unroll the condom over the entire length of the penis down to the base, smoothing out any air bubbles. The condom should fit snugly and not look like it will slide off during intercourse. Do not take the condom off the penis until after intercourse or ejaculation.

Immediately after ejaculation, the penis should be withdrawn slowly before it softens. The base of the condom should be held against the penis to avoid spilling the semen as it's withdrawn. The condom should be wrapped in tissue and thrown away.

If the condom breaks or falls off during intercourse but before ejaculation, stop and put on a new condom. A new condom should also be used when you have prolonged intercourse or different types of intercourse within a single session (e.g., oral / vaginal / anal). During intimate contact, lesions and various body fluids can transmit STDs. Therefore, use a new condom before any such contact occurs.

Protection during oral sex: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), it is possible to get HIV and other STDs during oral sex. During oral sex, viruses could enter the body through tiny cuts or sores in the mouth. The CDC recommends you use a condom for oral sex on a man. For oral sex on a woman, the CDC says you can use Saran Wrap, dental dams (square pieces of latex available in some drugstores) or a square of latex cut from a condom as a barrier between the mouth and the vagina.

If you are sexually active you may be at risk for STDs. When you have sex with someone, you potentially expose yourself to STDs that everyone they've had sex with, may have had. An STD can be passed by body fluids during vaginal, anal or oral sex. Although some STDs can also be spread by contact with the skin of the genital or anal area if infection is present. A latex condom is the best barrier to prevent fluids from being exchanged and also acts as a birth control contraceptive to prevent pregnancy. Get it on.

Please follow manufacturers instructions.