Key Facts
According to Planned Parenthood:
- The two things you should inspect on a condom wrapper before using one:
- The expiration date
- Make sure there’s an air bubble so you know there isn’t a hole in the wrapper.
- Latex, plastic, and non-latex rubber condoms as well as insertive condoms are highly effective in preventing pregnancy, and they’re the only forms of birth control that also help reduce the risk of STIs.
- It’s important to talk to your partner about using condoms before you engage in sexual activity. Planned Parenthood believes that education and communication is the key to healthy behaviors and relationships
In an effort to encourage individuals to make informed choices about their sexual health, District Health Department #10 (DHD#10) is recognizing the entire month of February as National Condom Month, and February 13-21 is National Condom Week.
Consistent and correct use of latex condoms reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infection (STI) and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) transmission. However, condom use cannot provide absolute protection against any STI. The most reliable ways to avoid transmission of STIs are to abstain from sexual activity, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous relationship with an uninfected partner. However, many infected persons may be unaware of their infection because STIs often are asymptomatic and unrecognized.
DHD#10 offers free condoms to anyone wanting them. There are two ways to access them from any of our 10 office locations.
- By visiting our office and grabbing an unmarked envelope from the condom bucket in our waiting room (or by asking a staff member).
- By visiting https://www.dhd10.org/mail-order-condoms/ to order them online and have them mailed to your door.
To participate in our mail order condom program, complete the confidential order form and we will mail a free package of 10 condoms, lubricant, and sexual health and STI testing information in an unmarked envelope. There is no limit on requesting additional packages. If you have questions or to request the form electronically, please contact condoms@dhd10.org.
DHD#10 strives to empower people of all ages and genders to take control of their sexual health. Education services, birth control methods, counseling on fertility awareness, referrals for sterilization, STI testing and treatment, HIV testing and physical exams, including Pap Smears are available. DHD#10 services are confidential, LGBTQ friendly, and available on a sliding fee scale basis; no one will ever be denied service due to inability to pay. Now you can order a free HIV Self-Test Kit online at www.dhd10.org/hivtest and it will be mailed to your door. It is convenient, safe, and a secure way to know your HIV status.
To learn more about DHD#10’s sexual health services or to schedule an appointment, call 888-217-3904, option #2; late clinic appointments are available.
Quick Links
CDC | Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs)