National Condom Day 2023

Each year February 14 marks National Condom Day, a day to encourage and promote the use of condoms.

Condoms are a reliable way to prevent both the spread of STIs and also unintended pregnancies, so it’s important that young people have access to condoms and understand their benefits.

Condom Quick Facts:

• Condoms are very effective at preventing pregnancy, but they must be used correctly – it can be a good idea to practice if you’re not sure.

• When used correctly, condoms are around 98% effective at preventing the spread of STIs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea, but they only protect what they cover – they’re less effective against herpes, HPV and syphilis which are spread through skin-to-skin contact.

• They can also provide good protection against HIV.

• To be effective condoms need to be stored safely – it should be cool, and dry, and somewhere they won’t be bent and broken.

• Condoms are less likely to break when they’re used alongside water-based lubricant. Anything oil-based (massage oil, Vasaline) can cause breakage.

• They’re readily available from most chemists and supermarkets, but they can be a bit expensive. Your local Aboriginal health service, or SHINE SA, will have free condoms available.

• Sometimes accidents happen! If you’re using a condom and it breaks, it’s important to get in touch with your local health service to talk about STI screening, and emergency contraception if there’s a risk of pregnancy

Now we know that condoms are the best protection against STIs, here are some extra uses for condoms that you might not have heard of, courtesy of Her Rules Her Game. Click the link to find out more.