Condoms are changing

This was the question that first led the LGF to consider changing the type of condoms we put into our safer sex packs.

For over ten years now, The LGF has been distributing 500,000 condoms a year in order to tackle the problem of HIV and other STI's. This has proved to be one of the United Kingdom's most successful sexual health interventions in the fight against HIV. However, as with any intervention, we need to move with the times.

The UK has been recommending 'Extra Strong' condoms for anal sex for over 15 years, but this thinking is starting to change. The main reasons for this are as follows:

• There is a growing consensus of opinion that any condom, no matter what strength, is going to provide adequate protection against HIV when used properly.
• As long as a condom has the British Standard (BS) or kite mark and CE (European Standard mark) it is an effective means of prevention against HIV and STI's, providing they are used properly, instructions are on all packets of LGF's Gay Men's Safer sex packs which include two condoms and two sachets of water based lube.
• The UK is very much in the minority when it comes to providing Extra Strong Condoms. Most other countries are happy for gay men to use standard condoms. In fact Australia, which has the lowest prevalence of HIV in the world, has never recommended extra strong.
• Many men dislike wearing extra strong condoms and choose to have unsafe sex rather than wear them.
• In a world where prejudice and bigotry are commonplace, why isolate ourselves and the sex we have by using different condoms, unless it's absolutely necessary?

It is for these reasons that, from July 25th 2003 we at the LGF started distributing standard condoms in our safer sex packs.