Chlamydia is considered the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI) in the United States of America. This infection is caused by a bacteria named chlamydia trachomatis (C. trachomatis). It is spread through sexual activities that involve genital fluids. Because Chlamydia doesn’t usually have visible symptoms, many people are unaware of their infection and continue infecting others.
Can you get Chlamydia with a condom? Latex condoms give you a good measure of protection against most STIs. In addition, they can protect you from getting Chlamydia if your partner already has it. Read on to know more about how condoms protect you against this infection.
Can you get Chlamydia with a condom?
Condoms are considered very effective at up to 98% in preventing Chlamydia. Therefore, condoms will reduce your risk of infections and boost your sexual health. Nonetheless, condoms will not completely stop your risk because they are not considered 100% effective.
You can use a latex or polyurethane condom or a dental dam every time you engage in anal, oral, or vaginal intercourse. A dental dam is a flimsy square of latex that can be fixed over the vagina or anus during oral sex to prevent you from getting STIs from your sexual partners.
The most effective way to avoid getting this infection is to avoid anal sex, oral, or vaginal sex altogether.
How to use condoms correctly
Condoms can be effective in the prevention of Chlamydia. However, you’re still at risk of infection if the condom is not used correctly. This is because incorrect use of a condom can cause it to burst or split during sexual friction. Can you get Chlamydia with a condom? A burst condom exposes you to Chlamydia and other STIs. Taking an STI test is recommended if you experience a burst condom during sex.
To use a condom correctly for safe sex, hold the tip between your index finger and thumb to ensure no air is trapped inside. The condom may split apart if the air is trapped inside.
Next, position the condom over the tip of your penis. Finally, roll it down the length of your penis while squeezing the end of the condom.
Some infections that can be prevented by using condoms
Condoms are effective in preventing sexually transmitted infections. They provide up to 98% protection against these infections; however, they are not 100% safe for you.
Condoms can reduce the risk of diseases such as herpes, syphilis, and chancroid if the infected area is protected from exposure.
Do condoms prevent all STDs?
While condoms are effective against most STDs, up to 98%, some diseases cannot be prevented with a condom. This is because while infections like Chlamydia and gonorrhea are spread through the exchange of sexual fluid, some conditions are spread through skin-to-skin contact.
Some of these infections include;
- Syphilis
- Genital warts caused by human papillomavirus (HPV)
- Genital herpes
- Molluscum contagiosum
Choosing the correct type of condom
Choosing the type of condoms to use is vital in preventing STDs. There are two main types of condoms- external and internal. Internal condoms used to be known as female condoms, and they line the interior wall of the anus or vagina. External condoms roll over the shaft of the penis or dildo.
To prevent STDs, you need external condoms made of latex, polyurethane, and polyisoprene. Some external condoms are made of lambskin.
However, lambskin condoms are ineffective against Chlamydia because they have porous openings that semen can’t pass through, but sexually transmitted infectious particles can.
When to call your doctor
Although condoms give up to 98% protection against most STDs, it is not 100% guaranteed. This means that in some cases, due to application or other factors, the condom may not protect you from getting Chlamydia from an infected partner.
Contact your doctor when you suspect you have been exposed to bodily fluid from your sexual partner.
Frequently Asked Questions
STDs are usually passed on when bodily fluids are exchanged during sex. Women who have sex with women who are infected can also be infected. Diseases such as herpes, warts, and Chlamydia are spread when body fluid is transferred from one person to another during sex. Any contact, such as oral sex or even using the same hand when touching yourself and your infected partner, can put you at risk.
Condoms can be pretty effective against most STDs, but some infections cannot be prevented with condoms. Some diseases such as herpes, HPV, and syphilis are spread through skin-to-skin contact, so condoms may not be as effective in blocking them.
