Condom embarrassment still running high

With increasing numbers of STDs and unplanned pregnancies, the use of condoms is still low in the UK.  Many people are embarrassed to talk about it (but seemingly ok to get naked),with excuses ranging from “it doesn’t feel the same” to ” do I look like I have and STD to you?”

Embarrassment still seems to be a problem when buying condoms, a survey by Fusion Condoms found 54% of men and 57% of women were embarrassed to buy them.  The Terrence Higgins Trust (who Better2Know is supporting all this week and next with donations in the run up to World AIDS Day) agree that this is an issue:

“We’re still so British about sex and condoms, many people find it easier to have sex rather than to talk about it,” says Genevieve Edwards, executive director of health improvement at the Terrence Higgins Trust.

“It’s a population-wide issue, something that doesn’t really change whatever sex or age. Buying condoms is a public declaration that you want sex and many people still aren’t comfortable with that.”

If you have more than one partner and are not using condoms EVERY time you have oral, vaginal or anal intercourse then you may be at risk of catching and transmitting an STI or HIV.  The only way to know is to get tested.