STI protection methods and contraceptives

How to prevent STIs?

1. Vaccines: there is currently a vaccine that protects against the most dangerous strains or types of HPV that cause most cancers and diseases, that is, strains 16 and 18, which cause cervical cancer, and strains 6 and 11, causing genital warts. There are also vaccines for Hepatitis A and Hepatitis B. Getting vaccinated helps protect against these infections, but not against other STIs , therefore appropriate barrier methods should be used to make relationships as safe as possible.

2. Periodic tests: depending on the area where you live, you can have access to health services, either public or private, where you can undergo frequent tests. This helps prevent the transmission of undetected STIs and also helps treat infections from the earliest stages, which improves the possibility of a cure.

3. PreP (Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis) and PEP (Post-Exposure Prophylaxis): are medications taken to prevent the spread of HIV.

• PReP is taken daily and serves to prevent the HIV virus in case of exposure to it . It does not prevent other STIs , so it is recommended to continue using a barrier method.
• PEP is taken in emergency situations when it is known or suspected that there has been exposure to the virus and always within 72 hours (the sooner it is taken, the greater its effectiveness).

4. Barrier methods: they are the only methods that protect against STIs (with exceptions):

• Male/penis condom  Also called a condom, it is a very thin sheath made of latex or other materials such as polyisoprene that is placed on the erect penis and serves as a contraceptive and barrier method in penetrative penis-vagina relations, and as a barrier method in penis-vagina relations. anus and penis-mouth. Can also be placed in sex toys
• Female/vulvar condom It is made of polyurethane or nitrile, has a tubular shape and is inserted through a ring that is integrated to the end of the vagina, covering its walls. It serves as a contraceptive and barrier method in penetrative penis-vagina relationships and as a barrier method in finger-vagina, toys-vagina relationships.
• Unisex condom:  Very recently created, it is a condom that can be used by both people with a vulva and people with a penis.
• Latex band: They are rectangles, generally made of latex, that function as a barrier method during oral sex on vulvas or anuses. Likewise, they are also used for interactions between two vulvas. There are harnesses that help hold these bands on the vulva for greater comfort in the sexual experience.
• Latex gloves: it is recommended to use them if you insert your fingers into the vagina or anus and, especially, if you interact with several people simultaneously, you should use a new glove for each person.
• Diaphragm: although it is a barrier method, it is only a contraceptive method, it does NOT protect against STIs . It is a rounded latex or silicone device that is inserted into the vagina, covering the cervix to prevent semen from entering. It must be coated with spermicidal cream on both sides with each use. It should be inserted between half and an hour before starting penetration and should not be removed until 6 hours later. It is reusable. It must be washed and preserved properly.
• Cervical cap: very similar to the diaphragm but with a slightly different shape, this barrier contraceptive method does NOT protect against STIs . It is a latex or silicone cap that is placed at the bottom of the vagina, covering the cervix to prevent semen from entering. Like the diaphragm, it should always be used together with spermicidal cream on both sides with each use. In addition, it should be introduced between half and an hour before penetration and should not be removed until 6 hours later. It is reusable. It must be washed and preserved properly.

Curiosities about the condom:

1. According to UNAIDS , condoms are effective in 98% of cases if used correctly and consistently. This means opening them correctly with your hands, not with scissors or your teeth; place them correctly and use them from the beginning of sexual intercourse.
2. Two condoms cannot be used together (two male or female, or one male and one female), as their effectiveness is completely lost.
3. It cannot be reused, even if ejaculation does not occur.
4. The male/penis condom can be used by two women in several cases:
5. • That one of them has a penis
   • That they decide to make a latex band from there
   • Let them use it to cover their sex toys