Condoms have been a cornerstone of sexual health for decades, protecting against most sexually transmitted infections (STIs) — including HIV — by acting as a physical barrier to viruses and bacteria.
Pre-exposure prophylaxis, or PrEP, is a daily pill that can reduce the risk of contracting HIV by more than 90% when taken as prescribed. But while PrEP is highly effective against HIV, it does not protect against other infections such as gonorrhoea, syphilis or chlamydia, which remain common and, in some cases, are becoming harder to treat due to antibiotic resistance.
Health experts, including the World Health Organization, recommend a combined approach: using condoms consistently alongside PrEP. This “dual protection” strategy ensures maximum defence — PrEP adds an extra layer against HIV, while condoms cover the wider range of STIs and also prevent unintended pregnancies.
Public health advocates say it’s not about choosing one or the other. Instead, think of PrEP and condoms as complementary tools: one stops HIV from taking hold in your body, the other stops most infections — and sperm — from getting in to begin with.
The message is simple: for the best protection, use both.