Latex condoms when used correctly and consistently can sharply reduce the risk of getting sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are the only methods of birth control that have a significant effect on preventing STDs. However, they don’t always protect against all STDs.
STDs you can still get when using condoms correctly
Herpes
Herpes, caused by the herpes simplex virus (HSV) is a common STD that can cause painful skin lesions such as blisters and ulcers. Infection with HSV is incurable and the virus stays within the infected person’s body for life. During flare-ups, the virus comes to the top of the skin and causes lesions. Lesions usually occur in the genital area but can also occur on the mouth. Bare skin coming in contact with the lesions can transmit the virus. Even when the lesions are not visible, there still may be enough virus on the skin to transmit the infection to another person.
Contact with the lesions on the penis or inside the vagina can be prevented by correctly using either male or female condoms. Still, there may be lesions outside of these covered areas that can transmit herpes.
Syphilis
The main mode of transmission of syphilis is coming in contact with a syphilitic sore. The sore, also called the primary chancre is one of the first signs of syphilis infection in a person. It is painless, which is why it may sometimes not be noticed by the person who has it. Usually, a single sore is formed at the site of inoculation (where the syphilis bacteria entered the infected person’s body). However, multiple primary chancres may form in a person if they have other concurrent STIs such as chlamydia or HIV.
If the primary chancre is inside the vagina, anus, or on the surface of the penis, contact with them can be avoided by using a condom. However, sometimes chancres may develop outside of these areas, and skin-to-skin contact with them can transmit the syphilis bacteria.
HPV
Human papillomavirus (HPV) infection is the most common STD in the U.S. It sometimes presents as warts on the skin. The infection is contagious through skin-to-skin contact with the warts. The warts generally develop on the genital area such as in or around the vagina, cervix, penis, or scrotum. Warts can also develop around the anus. Warts can develop in the mouth or throat after having oral sex with an infected person.
If the warts are outside of the area covered by the condom, contact with them can spread HPV. The virus is extremely contagious, and 2 out of 3 people whose skin rubs against the warts get infected.