I will be starting birth control pills soon but until then, my partner has been wearing two condoms. A friend told me this is harmful and not as safe as only one. Is it true? Also, if I’m on birth control pills, how necessary is it to still be using condoms?

Thanks for your questions. Your friend is right. Not only is it unnecessary to use two condoms at once, but it actually increases your risk of breakage due to the increased friction between the two condoms. Using one condom correctly with a spermicide, each time you have sex, is the best use of condoms. Also, when you begin using oral contraceptives, it is still a good idea to use condoms to protect yourself against STIs (sexually transmitted infections.) If you and your partner are mutually monogamous (not having sex with other people) and have been tested for HIV, it may be safe to discontinue condom use. However, in a college environment where people often start and end many new sexual relationships, it is a smart idea to use condoms to protect yourself in the most effective way.