In a hospital, Li Qiang (not his real name) sat in the consultation room, his expression revealing unease and shock. As an instructor of sex education courses, he always teaches others how to have sex safely, emphasizing the importance of using condoms. But now, he's been diagnosed as HIV-positive – a bolt from the blue for him.
Li Qiang has always been very careful and used condoms every time he had sex. He couldn't understand why he was still infected with HIV. Isn't the condom 100% safe? Or did he make a mistake in using it?
The doctor patiently listened to Li Qiang's narration and then inquired in detail about his sexual habits and condom use. Through the conversation, the doctor identified several key factors that may affect the effectiveness of condoms. It turns out that even with a condom, the risk of contracting HIV still exists if it is not used incorrectly or if there are certain behaviors in the sexual process.
Li Qiang's case is not an isolated one. There are people all over the world who have unfortunately contracted HIV with the correct use of condoms. The reasons for this usually involve the following aspects:
1. Using substandard condoms: There are many types of condoms on the market, and the price varies widely. When choosing, consumers may buy products without quality assurance for savings or convenience. Using these low-quality or expired condoms is likely to break during sex due to the deterioration of the material. A ruptured condom does not stop the spread of the HIV virus, thus exposing them to the risk of infection. Therefore, when buying condoms, be sure to double-check their production date and expiration date to ensure the quality of the product. This step is crucial because ensuring that condoms are fresh and effective maximizes the safety of sex and reduces the risk of unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted diseases.
2. Improper use of lubricant: Condom breakage is sometimes not the product itself, but the use of the wrong type of lubricant. What many people don't know is that the use of oil-based lubricants can cause serious damage to the material of latex condoms, eventually leading to breakage during sex. This condition can cause panic or uneasiness in people's minds because once a condom breaks, it increases the risk of unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections. To avoid this, use water-based or silicone-based lubricants that are compatible with condom materials and can reduce the likelihood of breakage.
3. The wrong way to wear a condom: Tips for using a condom correctly are crucial to its effectiveness. Incorrect condom wearing, such as not squeezing the air out of the top of the condom, increases the risk of the condom breaking during sex. In addition, some people may not think about wearing condoms until they are having sex, often missing a critical window of time to prevent HIV. Therefore, the condom should be worn before sexual activity begins, and ensure that the condom is fully spread and no air remains on the tip.
4. Reuse of condoms or wearing them for long periods of time: Some people may try to wash condoms and reuse them due to financial considerations or lack of knowledge about condoms. This practice is very dangerous because reused condoms do not provide effective protection. At the same time, used condoms should be removed immediately after sexual intercourse, as wearing used condoms for a long time may cause minor breakage or leakage. Even if a condom is not visibly damaged during use, wearing it for a long time can increase the amount of time it is in contact with bodily fluids, which increases the risk of spreading disease.
5. Inappropriate Behavior During Sex: Changing the way of sex without changing the condom during a sexual act is an issue that many people tend to overlook. For example, having anal sex immediately after vaginal intercourse and continuing to use the same condom. Because the environment and microbiota of these two sites are very different, doing so may cause condom damage and increase the risk of HIV infection. The right thing to do is to use a new condom every time you change your sex style.
In response to these mistakes and misconceptions, the public needs more in-depth sex education and awareness-raising. Sexual health experts recommend choosing condoms from well-known brands and checking the date of manufacture and expiration date. Use condoms properly before and after sex, and change them with new ones every time you have sex. In addition, there is a need to raise awareness about sexually transmitted diseases, including how HIV is transmitted and prevention strategies.
Li Qiang's experience reminds us that even when we are fully prepared for safety, we should not take it lightly. Correct knowledge and behaviour are essential for sexual health. Through the analysis and guidance of this article, we hope to reduce the number of cases like Li Qiang's and help everyone have a safer and healthier sex life. #春日生活打卡季#
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