Condom Use

Condoms serve as a protective barrier against unintended pregnancies and significantly reduce the transmission risks of Sexually Transmitted Infections and Diseases (STI/D) (Jenness et al., 2021; Khan et al., 2013; Staras et al., 2013).

Despite their proven efficacy and widespread availability, condom use has declined over the past decade (Holt et al., 2018). In Australia, there has been a notable rise in chlamydia, gonorrhoea, and syphilis cases among young adults aged 15-24 (Bourchier et al., 2020).

As the only form of contraception that provides double-duty protection against both unintended pregnancies and STI/Ds, condoms can be seen as a simple yet powerful tool for maintaining sexual health—which, in turn, supports overall well-being.

But……….we have to consider that people's choices around condom use may be shaped by a mix of social, cultural, educational, and personal factors, making it essential to consider the bigger picture when talking about safe sex.

What are these reasons:

Reasons for not using condoms include the misconception that STI/Ds affect others but not themselves due to a perceived sense of caution, discomfort in purchasing condoms, fatigue from public health messaging, physical discomfort while wearing them, issues with improper sizing, reduced physical sensation, and a perceived loss of intimacy and emotional connection (Dacosta et al., 2021; Giano et al., 2020; MacPhail et al., 2017)

At the end of the day, protecting your health should never be a guessing game—so when in doubt, wrap it up!