Contraception aids in the prevention of pregnancy. As a result, using condoms is effectively a kind of birth control. While birth control is the primary purpose of a condom, it can also give additional benefits to the user.
Protection from sexually transmitted illnesses, or STIs, is one such benefits.
Too much of a good thing, on the other hand, is obviously terrible for you, not to mention harmful to your health. While condoms are one of humanity’s finest inventions, helping to minimize the dangers of STDs and undesired pregnancies, they can have some negative side effects. Here are a few condom adverse effects you may not be aware of:
1. Allergy
The majority of condoms are composed of latex, a fluid derived from rubber plants. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, certain persons are allergic to the protein in rubber. This is really unusual. Latex allergy symptoms can range from sneezing, runny nose, hives, itching, or flushing to more serious signs and symptoms such as wheezing, swelling, dizziness, and light-headedness. Latex allergies can cause anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal illness, in certain cases. People who are allergic to latex should switch to synthetic condoms. However, the likelihood of condom rip during the act is greater with these condoms, and they are also incompatible with the majority of vaginal lubricants.
2. Getting other STDs
Condoms have been shown to be very effective against HIV while also lowering the risk of other infections such as syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HPV. They do not, however, provide protection against sexually transmitted illnesses that can damage the skin’s outer layers, such as scabies and molluscum contagiosum. Condoms can minimize the risk of genital herpes, but they don’t protect every portion of the skin where the herpes virus might asymptomatically shed and be transmitted to an infected sexual partner, according to research.
3. Pregnancy dangers
Condoms are primarily used to avoid unplanned pregnancies. However, condoms can only provide 98 percent protection when used correctly, and when used incorrectly, 15 out of every 100 women become pregnant.
So, if you’re using a condom to avoid an unexpected pregnancy, make sure it’s new and that you know how to use it properly. Condoms that have beyond their expiry date become brittle and may shatter during sexual contact.
