Does condom protect against herpes?
Unlike many other sexually transmitted diseases, herpes spreads by skin-to-skin contact instead of through bodily fluids. Since condoms don't cover all areas of potentially infectious skin, they cannot completely stop the spread of herpes.
If you or your partner has herpes, or if you are unsure of a partner's status, you need to use condoms correctly every time you have sex, even when no symptoms are present. Every unprotected sexual exposure increases the risk of herpes transmission, so the intermittent use of condoms is not effective at prevention. Even if you use condoms, it is best to abstain from sexual contact when you have prodromal symptoms and when you have an outbreak.
People who have herpes are twice as likely to get HIV as people who don’t. And people who have herpes and HIV have a much bigger chance of passing HIV to their partners. So it’s really important to use condoms to help protect yourself and your partner. Read more about herpes and HIV.
Over time, couples in monogamous relationships may decide to forego the condom entirely. There’s nothing unreasonable about that at all, and it all depends on your comfort level in the relationship. As your relationship progresses, talk to your partner so you can make a choice that works for you both.
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How likely is it to get herpes with a condom?
Maybe you want to know effect of condoms on reducing the transmission of herpes. Consistent condom use reduces the risk of herpes transmission from men to women by 96 percent and from women to men by 65 percent. The results showed that people who used condoms 100% of the time had a 30% lower risk of contracting genital herpes. Among less consistent condom users, the risk of HSV-2 infection decreased by 7% for every 25% increase in condom use during vaginal or anal sex.
Researchers found no significant differences between men and women in the level of protection against genital herpes that condom use offered. Condom use should continue to be recommended to both men and women for reducing the risk of HSV-2 acquisition.
Condom use offers significant protection against HSV-2 infection in susceptible women. Changes in sexual behavior, correlated with counseling about avoiding sex when a partner has lesions, were associated with reduction in HSV-2 acquisition over time. These data suggest that identification of discordant couples can reduce transmission of HSV-2, especially for heterosexual couples in which the male partner has HSV-2 infection.
The facts on condoms and foams
Laboratory studies show that:
- The Herpes virus does not pass through latex condoms and, when properly used, latex condoms are likely to reduce your risk of spreading or getting Herpes.
- Condoms are useful in prevention but even the best condoms do not guarantee total safety.
- When Herpes sores occur in places that are not covered by a condom, the condom is of little help in preventing transmission.
- Condoms and foams should not be relied upon when Herpes sores or symptoms are present.
- Spermicidal foams and jellies may offer additional protection. Spermicides used in contraceptive foams, film and gels kill or neutralize HSV in laboratory tests and may provide some protection when used in the vagina (recommended dose is the same as for contraception).
- In test tube trials, it has been shown that some contraceptive foams contain ingredients (such as nonoxynol-9) that kill the Herpes virus and other STDs.
- Foams are best used along with condoms, not in place of condoms.
- Condoms do not provide 100 percent protection because a lesion may be occurring in a place which the condom does not cover. However, when used consistently, condoms are the best available form of prevention aside from abstinence.
Worrry about herpes tranmission? Meet nearby people with herpes
PositiveSingles is one of the most popular dating websites for people suffering from herpes and other STD. It was initiated in 2001. With 1,510,800+ members you are sure to find lots of potentail people around you.
Join and meet nearby people with herpes, browse and chat now!
Know more facts about living and dating with herpes:
- How to have a fulfilling sex life with herpes
- What is your chance of spreading herpes?
- Fear transmission? Try herpes dating sites
- How to handle dating when you have herpes
- How to tell your partner you have herpes
- Overcome the stigma of herpes
- Herpes and getting pregnant: How to protect your baby
- Herpes and HIV
- Do condoms prevent herpes? How likely is it to get herpes with a condom?