Nishnawbe Aski Nation

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is a female condom?

A female condom is a polyurethane (soft plastic) liner that a woman inserts into her vagina before sex to protect herself and her partner(s) from HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and to prevent pregnancy.

How do they work?

A female condom acts as a barrier which keeps pre-ejaculate fluid (pre-cum) and semen from contacting the vagina, and prevents vaginal fluid or menstrual blood from touching the penis. This barrier protects against unwanted pregnancy and the transmission of HIV or other STIs.

How do I put it on?

put lubricant (water or oil-based) inside and outside the condom
squeeze the inner ring (at the closed end) and using your fingers, gently push it up as high as possible into your vagina--as you would insert a diaphragm or a tampon without an applicator
leave the outer ring (at the open end) outside, spread over the lips of the vagina
guide your partner's penis into the opening of the condom
during intercourse, if the condom starts to pull out or push in, put more lubricant on the penis
after intercourse, before standing up, close the condom by twisting the outer ring, then gently pull it out and throw it away. Female condoms, like male condoms, should not be used more than once.

Are female condoms effective?

Yes. Although no form of protection is 100% effective, all condoms approved for sale in Canada have met Health Canada's requirements for safety and effectiveness. To be protected, you must use a female condom correctly. Practice putting one on before you use it for intercourse.

What are the pros and cons?

For women who have sex with men, the potential benefits include:

  1. more power in negotiating safer sex--less need to persuade male partners to use male condoms
  2. less disruption during sex--female condoms can be put on up to eight hours before intercourse and they do not have to be removed immediately afterwards
  3. a looser fit which is not as tight as a male condom
  4. partial coverage of the outer lips (labia) of the vagina which helps prevent the spread of other sexually transmitted infections
  5. the female condoms that are sold in Canada are made of polyurethanen, not latex, so they do not cause allergies or irritation and they can be used with either oil-based or water-based lubricants.

Possible disadvantages include:

  1. visibility--if an abusive partner sees the condom and objects, it could put the woman in danger, and
  2. cost--female condoms are more expensive than male condoms (approx. $3 each).

Do they work for anal intercourse?

Although they were not made for this purpose, female condoms may provide some protection against the spread of HIV and other STIs during anal intercourse. Remove the inner ring before using the condom for anal sex.

Where do I get female condoms?

Many stores now sell them. Health centres, AIDS service organizations, clinics and drop-in centres may provide samples that you can try.

How can I have sex more safely?

You can have fun--and erotic--sex with no risk of getting HIV. There are many sexual activities that do not involve any risk of semen, vaginal fluids or blood entering your bloodstream.

What are some examples of safer sex?

Some "no risk" activities are:

  1. kissing--including "deep" or open-mouth kissing
  2. hugging
  3. massaging
  4. fondling, touching, rubbing
  5. masterbating (alone or with your partner)

Also no risk:

Touching the penis, vagina or anus is not risky, unless you have fresh cuts or sores, even if they are unnoticeable, that could allow HIV-infected semen, vaginal fluids or blood to enter the bloodstream.

Low risk:

Oral sex is considered "low risk" because salive doesn't transmit HIV. However, if you have any fresh cuts or sores in your mouth (even unnoticeable), infected semen, vaginal fluieds or blood can enter the bloodstream when you lick or suck a penis, vagina or anus.

High risk:

The linings of the vagina and anus are delicate and thin, and can tear easily. These small tears can be invisible and unnoticeable, but enough to let HIV into the bloodstream. Therefore, the riskiest sexual activities are:

  1. having vaginal or anal intercourse without a condom
  2. sharing sex toys without using a new condom for each user, or without cleaning them between users.

Safer sex includes:

  1. talking to your partner about safer sex before having sex
  2. using a latex or polyurethane condom for: vaginal or anal intercourse; oral sex on a man; ral sex on a woman--you can use a condom, cut open lengthwise, or a dental dam placed over the vulva; shared sex toys
  3. trying a female condom
  4. using lots of water-based lubricant (don't use Vaseline or oil-based products--these weaken latex condoms).

Never re-use condoms.

Who can get HIV?

Anyone who has unprotected sex (especially penetrative sex) or shares needles with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status is not known could become infected with HIV. If you think that HIV/ AIDS only affects gay men or injection drug users, you are wrong. You are not protected from HIV because you are straight, or young, or a woman, or living in a rural area. You don't get HIV because of who you are, or where you live. It is what you do that puts you at risk for getting infected.

Heterosexuals
The proportion of new infections due to heterosexual exposure has increased steadily in the last twenty years, reaching 21% of new infections by 2000. Globally, heterosexual activity accounts for over 70% of HIV infections.

Women:
In Canada, women accounted for 14% of the HIV infections in 1999 compared to 11% in 1996. Worldwide, 41% of all new HIV infections are women.

Youth:
Young people in Canada are being infected with HIV at an increased rate. Of the total positive HIV people, 12,564 (29%) are among youth 15 to 29 years old.

HIV and AIDS are not just big-city problems. Many Canadians move back and forth between the city and smaller communities to get jobs or go to school. HIV infections and AIDS are found in every part of Canada.

Anyone, anywhere who takes part in unprotected sexual activities or shares needles with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status is not known can become infected with HIV.

Is it safe for me to be around someone who has HIV?

Yes! It is quite safe to work, study, or play with people who have HIV and AIDS. It is also safe for children to be in day care or attend school with children who have HIV and AIDS.

Everyday contact with adults or children who have HIV/ AIDS is safe.

You cannot get HIV through:

  1. shaking hands, hugging or kissing
  2. working or playing side by side
  3. sharing equipment or toys (even toys that children put in their mouths)
  4. sharing washrooms
  5. sharing water fountains, food, dishes, or cutlery
  6. changing diapers

HIV infection is only transmitted through semen, blood, vaginal fluids, and breast milk. Other body fluids, like saliva, mucus or vomit, do not transmit HIV.


The three main ways you can get HIV are:

  1. having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status is not known
  2. sharing needles with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status is not known
  3. being born to an HIV-positive mother.

Even if HIV-infected fluid touches your skin, it won't cause infection. Your skin is your best protection. To get infected, enough HIV-infected fluid has to get directly into your bloodstream through a fresh sore or cut (which may not be noticeable). In our daily lives, such fluid exchange or "blood-to-blood" contact with others is unusual - even in cases of biting, scratching, accidents or fights.

Is there a cure for HIV/ AIDS?

No. There is no cure for HIV or for AIDS.

The medications used to treat HIV infections are called Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapies (HAART). These therapies are a mixture of medications such as AZT, 3TC, ddI and protease inhibitors; they work by slowing down the body's production of HIV but these DO NOT get rid of HIV or cure AIDS. The medications help to reduce the level of HIV in the blood, to make the immune system stronger and to keep some people healthy longer.

Even though the HAART medications are better than any other treatment so far, there are some problems:

  1. they do not work for everyone
  2. some people have very bad side effects from these medications or from the way they mix with other drugs they are taking
  3. many have had to stop treatment due to intolerable side effects and/ or interactions.
  4. the medication costs thousands of dollars each year, an amount many cannot afford
  5. the treatment requires people to take many pills each day, for the rest of their lives; if they forget to take the pills, the virus (HIV) can mutate, get stronger, and become resistant to medication
  6. we do not know the long-term effects of these medications or how well they will work over time
  7. not all the people who need treatment have access to it. (An Ontario study found that only half of the people living with HIV/ AIDS are getting HAART. Other research shows that certain groups, such as women and those who inject drugs, are less likely to get this treatment).

Is prevention still necessary?

The success of HAART is good news for people living longer, better lives because of it, but the availability of treatment has made some believe that preventing HIV infection is no longer important. This belief has lead to many engaging in or relapsing into risk-taking behaviours. We must remember that HIV medications DO NOT stop infections and thus do not make it safe to stop.

Should I get tested for HIV?

You should consider getting tested if you or your partner(s) have ever:

  1. had sex, especially anal or vaginal intercourse, without a latex or polyurethane condom or other protective barrier
  2. had sex while under the influence of alcohol or drugs - you might not have used protection
  3. shared needles or syringes (or other drug equipment like water, cotton filters, cookers, pipes, straws) to inject drugs, including steroids
  4. had tattooing, piercing, or acupuncture with unsterilized equipment
  5. had a blood transfusion or received other blood products before November 1986.

What is an HIV test?

It is a simple blood test that detects whether or not you have HIV antibodies in your blood. These antibodies may take three to six months to appear in your blood after you are exposed to HIV - this is called the "window period." If you are tested during the window period and the result is negative, you will have to be re-tested later to confirm the result.

In addition to the blood test, there are other types of HIV tests - oral/ saliva test, urine test, rapid test and home test - but they are not widely available in Canada. Genotyping is another test that can detect the presence of HIV in your blood or determine a specific strain of HIV, but it is expensive so it is only used in urgent situations.

It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to get the results of an HIV test.

I am over 50. Does HIV affect me?

Yes! HIV affects people of all ages. You, your spouse or your sex partner(s) could have HIV infection or be at risk for infection.

How many older adults are HIV-positive?

Between 1985 and 2000, close to 3,500 people 50 years of age and older tested positive for HIV infection in Canada. Another estimated 15,000 people in Canada are HIV-positive and don't know it because they have not been tested. If you don't know you are HIV positive, you aren't getting the treatments that delay the development of AIDS, and you could also be putting your sexual partner(s) at risk for HIV infection.

Am I too old to be HIV positive or at risk for HIV?

No, viruses don't pay attention to age - no one is ever too old to become infected with HIV. HIV is not just a young person's infection. Anyone can become infected with HIV by:

  • having unprotected sex with someone who is HIV positive or whose HIV status you do not know
  • sharing needles or syringes to inject drugs/ medications/ steroids/ vitamins, or when having acupuncture, skin piercing or tattoos
  • having a blood transfusion or organ transplant (this risk is now almost non-existent because, since 1985, blood products are screened for HIV).

Older women may be at an increased risk of HIV infection because they may have thinner vaginal walls and less vaginal lubrication. Sexual intercourse is likely to cause small cuts or tears, which can be a way for HIV to get into their blood system.


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