STIs You Can Still Catch Even When Using a Condom

Diseases You Can Still Get During Sex Even When You Use Condoms Many people believe that once you use a condom, you are completely protected from every sexually transmitted infection. That is not entirely true.

Condoms are very effective at reducing the risk of many STIs, especially infections spread through sexual fluids, but they do not cover all the skin around the genital area.

This means you can still be exposed to infections that spread through skin-to-skin contact, especially if the infected area is outside the part covered by the condom.

Some of these infections include

HPV – Can spread through skin-to-skin sexual contact.

Genital herpes – Can spread from infected skin, even when there are no obvious sores.

Syphilis – Can spread when a sore or lesion comes into contact with your skin and is located outside the condom-covered area.

Mpox – Can spread through close skin-to-skin contact during sexual activity.

Pubic lice – Can spread through close body-to-body contact.

Molluscum contagiosum – Can also spread through direct skin-to-skin contact.

So, does this mean condoms are useless? Absolutely not!

Condoms remain one of the best ways to reduce the risk of many STIs, including HIV, gonorrhea and chlamydia.

The key is to use them correctly and consistently.

A condom reduces your risk, it does not make the risk zero.

Regular STI testing, vaccination where available such as HPV vaccination and knowing your partner’s sexual health status can provide additional protection.