• Choose a category
• All
• Classic-Fiction

By Root 10146 0

It is caused by infection with the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis, which is usually transmitted during vaginal or anal sex and, less frequently, during oral sex. In women, the bacteria can infect the urethra, the uterus and cervix, the fallopian tubes, the anus, and the conjunctiva (the mucous membrane that covers the white of the eye and lines the inside of the eyelids). In men, the bacteria can infect the urethra, the epididymis, the prostate gland, the anus, and the conjunctiva.

In women, untreated chlamydia can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease (see page 871), which can cause infertility. The infection can also cause inflammation of the urethra (nongonococcal urethritis; see page 481) in women. In men, chlamydia is one of the leading causes of urethritis. If not treated, the infection can lead to inflammation of the prostate gland (prostatitis; see page 831), narrowing of the urethra (urethral stricture; see page 837), inflammation of the epididymis (epididymitis; see page 827), an autoimmune disorder called zeiter’s syndrome, or infertility (see page 494). In both men and women, the infection can be transmitted to the eye during sex or by hand-to-eye contact, where it can cause inflammation of the conjunctiva (conjunctivitis; see page 1038).

How to Use a Condom Correctly

A condom is a sheath of latex that fits over an erect penis and protects against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) by blocking the exchange of body fluids. However, condoms cannot protect against STDs unless they are used consistently and correctly. The following guidelines will help you to use condoms correctly:

• Use only latex condoms, and store them in a cool, dry place, out of direct sunlight.

• Never use a condom after its expiration date.

• Use a new condom each time you have vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Never reuse a condom.

• To avoid tearing a condom, do not use your fingernails, teeth, or any other sharp object to open a condom wrapper. If you tear a condom, throw it away and use a new one.

Opening a condom wrapper

Always open a condom wrapper carefully to avoid damaging the condom. Never open a condom wrapper with your teeth, fingernails, or other sharp object. If you damage a condom, throw it away.

• Do not unroll the condom before placing it on the penis.

• Put the condom on after the penis is erect and before any contact is made between the penis and any part of your partner’s body.

• If the condom does not have a reservoir tip, pinch the tip enough to leave ½ inch of space for semen to collect. Always squeeze the tip of the condom to get the air out, which will help prevent the condom from breaking.

• If you are uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin before putting on the condom.

• If the condom is not prelubricated, place a couple of drops of water-based lubricant inside the condom.

WARNING!

Use Only Water-Based Lubricants With Latex Condoms

Never use creams, lotions, oils, or petroleum jelly to lubricate a condom; these products can weaken the latex and cause the condom to break.

• Holding the condom rim, place the condom over the tip of the penis. Then, continuing to hold it by the rim, unroll the condom to the base of the penis. If the condom is not prelubricated, lubricate the outside of the condom with a couple of drops of a water-based lubricant. (Lubricating the condom will increase sensitivity and help avoid tearing the condom.)

Putting on a condom

Hold the rim of the condom and place the condom over the tip of the erect penis (left). Continue to hold the rim of the condom and unroll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis (right). Pinch the tip of the condom to get the air out and to leave ½ inch of space for semen to collect.

• If you feel the condom break during intercourse, stop immediately, withdraw carefully, and put on a new condom.

• After ejaculation and before the penis gets soft, grip the rim of the condom and carefully withdraw to make sure the condom doesn’t slip off.

• To remove the condom,