How to deal with allergy to condoms
USING a condom is one of the most effective ways of preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like AIDS, syphillis, gonorrhea and Hepatitis B. It is also the most convenient way of avoiding pregnancy.
By Titus Serunjogi
USING a condom is one of the most effective ways of preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like AIDS, syphillis, gonorrhea and Hepatitis B. It is also the most convenient way of avoiding pregnancy.
However, Dr. Prakash Patel of the Fertility Endoscopy Clinic, says in recent years, more and more people are coming up to report allergies that they developed after using condoms.
“Some people might say they got an allergy just because they do not want their partner. That is psychological. But there are other people who get rashes, redness and sores around the private parts every time they use condoms. The symptoms grow adverse with frequent use,†says Prakash.
Most condoms on the market today are made out of latex, which is sap from the rubber tree. People who often report allergy to condoms are those whose bodies reject the protein that is found in latex. Other condom allergies are due to the lubricant or the scent that is used on the condom.
Symptoms of a condom allergy vary from mild irritation to life threatening reactions. Besides rashes, sores and redness around the private parts, some might get nausea, vomiting during sex, feeling faint and breathing problems. These effects might not only be in the person putting on the condom, but with his sexual partner as well.
Unfortunately, people who realise their allergy to condoms give up on using them.
But just how is one to deal with this kind of allergy, since we live in an age where condoms are almost indispensable during sex?
Dr Prakash recommends that the first thing a person should do when he discovers that he is allergic to condoms is to try alternating brands. “Different brands of condoms use different lubricants and by alternating brands, one might finally come up with a more favourable lubricant.â€
That also means that using a fancier brand of condom that you have not been using might cause you an allergy. If it does, switch back to your original brand.
Other people are just allergic to the scent that is used in some brands of condoms and using plain lubricated condoms will not bring any reaction at all.
Women who continue getting allergies even after alternating brands can switch to the femidom — the female version of the condom. But the femidom is made out of an ultra thin plastic called polyurethane that no one has reported allergic reactions to yet.
The femidom is available in urban pharmacies and hospitals and is as effective as the ordinary condom.
Alternatively, people allergic to latex can consult health workers for any other birth control methods that are agreeable to their bodies.
However, the sure way of preventing STIs for these people is mutual faithfulness.
Besides, any person allergic to condoms must also call for mutual faithfulness with his or her sexual partner in order to ensure that he or she does not get an STI.
Latex condoms are the best-researched preventative of STIs and pregnancy.
“It must be noted, however, that many people use condoms without any adverse reactions.
Before concluding that you have a condom allergy, visit a gynaecologist or a dermatologist,†says Prakash.
USING a condom is one of the most effective ways of preventing Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) like AIDS, syphillis, gonorrhea and Hepatitis B. It is also the most convenient way of avoiding pregnancy.
However, Dr. Prakash Patel of the Fertility Endoscopy Clinic, says in recent years, more and more people are coming up to report allergies that they developed after using condoms.
“Some people might say they got an allergy just because they do not want their partner. That is psychological. But there are other people who get rashes, redness and sores around the private parts every time they use condoms. The symptoms grow adverse with frequent use,†says Prakash.
Most condoms on the market today are made out of latex, which is sap from the rubber tree. People who often report allergy to condoms are those whose bodies reject the protein that is found in latex. Other condom allergies are due to the lubricant or the scent that is used on the condom.
Symptoms of a condom allergy vary from mild irritation to life threatening reactions. Besides rashes, sores and redness around the private parts, some might get nausea, vomiting during sex, feeling faint and breathing problems. These effects might not only be in the person putting on the condom, but with his sexual partner as well.
Unfortunately, people who realise their allergy to condoms give up on using them.
But just how is one to deal with this kind of allergy, since we live in an age where condoms are almost indispensable during sex?
Dr Prakash recommends that the first thing a person should do when he discovers that he is allergic to condoms is to try alternating brands. “Different brands of condoms use different lubricants and by alternating brands, one might finally come up with a more favourable lubricant.â€
That also means that using a fancier brand of condom that you have not been using might cause you an allergy. If it does, switch back to your original brand.
Other people are just allergic to the scent that is used in some brands of condoms and using plain lubricated condoms will not bring any reaction at all.
Women who continue getting allergies even after alternating brands can switch to the femidom — the female version of the condom. But the femidom is made out of an ultra thin plastic called polyurethane that no one has reported allergic reactions to yet.
The femidom is available in urban pharmacies and hospitals and is as effective as the ordinary condom.
Alternatively, people allergic to latex can consult health workers for any other birth control methods that are agreeable to their bodies.
However, the sure way of preventing STIs for these people is mutual faithfulness.
Besides, any person allergic to condoms must also call for mutual faithfulness with his or her sexual partner in order to ensure that he or she does not get an STI.
Latex condoms are the best-researched preventative of STIs and pregnancy.
“It must be noted, however, that many people use condoms without any adverse reactions.
Before concluding that you have a condom allergy, visit a gynaecologist or a dermatologist,†says Prakash.