Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsHow HIV Is TransmittedHow Condoms Prevent HIVWhen to Use a CondomHow to Use a Condom
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
How HIV Is Transmitted
How Condoms Prevent HIV
When to Use a Condom
How to Use a Condom
It is easier to prevent than viruses like herpes that arespread from skin to skin. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) can also be used to reduce the risk of sexual transmission of HIV.
This article will discuss how HIV is transmitted, how condoms can be used to prevent HIV, when to use a condom, and how to use a condom most effectively.
Verywell / Theresa Chiechi
Bodily fluids that can contain enough HIV to transmit the virus include:
What Doesn’t Transmit HIVSaliva, tears, and sweatcannottransmit HIV. HIVcannotbe transmitted throughcasual contact.
What Doesn’t Transmit HIV
Saliva, tears, and sweatcannottransmit HIV. HIVcannotbe transmitted throughcasual contact.
HIV can only be transmitted through exposure to infectious secretions. This can occur during sex, through shared needles or drug paraphernalia, or workplace exposure to blood and secretions.Universal precautionshave largely eliminated the transmission of HIV in American healthcare settings.
How Is HIV Transmitted?
Internal condoms protect the vagina from semen and pre-cum and the penis from exposure to vaginal secretions.
Only latex,polyurethane, andpolyisoprenecondoms are effective at preventing HIV transmission and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
The Lowdown on Dental DamsDental damsare barriers used to prevent the transmission of viruses duringoral sex. Placing this latex barrier between your mouth and your partner’s genitals can help to prevent STIs. Dental dams can be used for both cunnilingus (oral sex involving the vulva and vagina) andrimming(oral sex involving the anus).Dental dams can be purchased. They can also be made from condoms and gloves. It’s very easy to make a dental dam from a latex or polyisoprene condom. Just cut the tip off the condom and then cut down one side. Now you have a dental dam ready to use.
The Lowdown on Dental Dams
Dental damsare barriers used to prevent the transmission of viruses duringoral sex. Placing this latex barrier between your mouth and your partner’s genitals can help to prevent STIs. Dental dams can be used for both cunnilingus (oral sex involving the vulva and vagina) andrimming(oral sex involving the anus).Dental dams can be purchased. They can also be made from condoms and gloves. It’s very easy to make a dental dam from a latex or polyisoprene condom. Just cut the tip off the condom and then cut down one side. Now you have a dental dam ready to use.
Dental damsare barriers used to prevent the transmission of viruses duringoral sex. Placing this latex barrier between your mouth and your partner’s genitals can help to prevent STIs. Dental dams can be used for both cunnilingus (oral sex involving the vulva and vagina) andrimming(oral sex involving the anus).
Dental dams can be purchased. They can also be made from condoms and gloves. It’s very easy to make a dental dam from a latex or polyisoprene condom. Just cut the tip off the condom and then cut down one side. Now you have a dental dam ready to use.
To reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and other STIs to the greatest extent possible, condoms can and should be used for any type of sexual activity involving a penis. Condoms can also be used for sexual activity involving shared sex toys.
The exception is for couples who have both tested negative for HIV and other STIs and are only sexually active with each other. However, the most recent test forboth membersof the couple should have been after thewindow periodfor any possible previous exposure.
Anal Sex
Unprotected, receptive anal sex has a high chance of HIV exposure. This is because the rectal tissues are highly susceptible to HIV, and both semen and pre-seminal fluid can have high concentrations of HIV.
Anal Sex and Risk of HIV
Vaginal Sex
Around the globe, vaginal intercourse is the leading source of HIV transmission.It is also common in some areas of the United States.
Vaginal sex is most risky for the person being penetrated, but vaginal secretions can contain HIV, and transmission can go in both directions. Consistently and correctly using condoms for vaginal sex, along with a water- or silicone-based lubricant, can significantly reduce the risk of HIV transmission during vaginal sex.
Researchers estimate 80% protection against HIV for consistent condom users in general.There is some suggestion that 90% to 95% protection is possible for people who use themcorrectlyall the time.
What Is the Risk of HIV From Vaginal Sex?
Oral Sex
While it is theoretically possible to transmit HIV during oral sex, it is not a major source of HIV transmission.Oral sex includes cunnilingus (oral/vaginal sex), fellatio (oral/penile sex), or rimming (oral/anal sex).
Factors that could increase the risk of oral sex include the viral load of the person receiving oral sex. Viral load is how much virus is in vaginal, rectal, or penile secretions.
Mouth sores and injuries to the mouth and throat could also increase the risk of transmission, but the risk is still considered low.
That said, HIV is not the only STI that can betransmitted through oral sex. Using condoms for oral/penile sex and dental dams for oral/anal or oral/vaginal sex can reduce the risk of not just HIV, but other sexually transmitted infections.
What Is the Risk of HIV from Oral Sex?
HIV Transmission Between People Assigned Female at BirthThere is very little data suggesting that HIV can be transmitted between people assigned female at birth who are having sex with other people assigned female (in which there is no penile penetration). While both menstrual blood and vaginal secretions can contain HIV, reported transmissions between females during sexual activity are extremely rare.However, people assigned female at birth who have sex with other people assigned female at birth may have other risk factors for HIV.People in this population may also have sex with cisgender men, use injection drugs, or exchange sex for drugs or money. These activities increase the likelihood of HIV exposure. Therefore, it is important to engage in appropriate HIV-prevention behaviors such assafe sexand not sharing needles.
HIV Transmission Between People Assigned Female at Birth
There is very little data suggesting that HIV can be transmitted between people assigned female at birth who are having sex with other people assigned female (in which there is no penile penetration). While both menstrual blood and vaginal secretions can contain HIV, reported transmissions between females during sexual activity are extremely rare.However, people assigned female at birth who have sex with other people assigned female at birth may have other risk factors for HIV.People in this population may also have sex with cisgender men, use injection drugs, or exchange sex for drugs or money. These activities increase the likelihood of HIV exposure. Therefore, it is important to engage in appropriate HIV-prevention behaviors such assafe sexand not sharing needles.
There is very little data suggesting that HIV can be transmitted between people assigned female at birth who are having sex with other people assigned female (in which there is no penile penetration). While both menstrual blood and vaginal secretions can contain HIV, reported transmissions between females during sexual activity are extremely rare.
However, people assigned female at birth who have sex with other people assigned female at birth may have other risk factors for HIV.People in this population may also have sex with cisgender men, use injection drugs, or exchange sex for drugs or money. These activities increase the likelihood of HIV exposure. Therefore, it is important to engage in appropriate HIV-prevention behaviors such assafe sexand not sharing needles.
How to Use Condoms Most Effectively
How do you use condoms most effectively? The trick is to use them consistently and correctlyevery time you have sex.That doesn’t mean you should give up hope if you fail to use a condom once. You can always do better the next time.STIs aren’t transmitted every time you have sex, so it’s always worthwhile to use protection.
External Condoms
External condoms, also known as condoms placed on penises, are the most common barrier used for safer sex. They can be used for penile/anal sex, penile/vaginal sex, and penile/oral sex to make those activities safer.
Condoms should be put on with clean hands as soon as the penis becomes erect and before engaging in any sexual penetration that could lead to exposure to semen or pre-cum.
Steps for putting on an external condom are:
After you are done having sex, the person who has ejaculated should hold the condom as they withdraw from the mouth, vagina, or rectum to avoid slippage. Then it can be discarded in the trash.
Internal Condoms
Internal condomsare placed inside the vagina or anus before intercourse. Some people prefer these condoms to external condoms for a variety of reasons, including:
While some individuals have also used internal condoms for anal sex, there is a lack of research evaluating their safety and effectiveness for that purpose.
To use an internal condom:
After you are done having sex, gently twist the outer ring to reduce the risk of leakage. Then pull the condom from the vagina or anus and discard it. Internal condoms should not be reused once they have been removed.
Summary
Condoms are very effective in preventing HIV transmission when used consistently and correctly. They provide a barrier between bodily fluids that can contain HIV and body surfaces where the virus can enter a sex partner’s body.
To prevent HIV, condoms should be used during any sexual activity involving a penis. There are two types of condoms—external condoms (placed on penises) and internal condoms (placed in vagina or anus).
8 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.Ways HIV can be transmitted.
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