What Is It?
Condoms are a barrier method of contraception. There are male
condoms and female condoms. A male condom is a thin latex (a type
of rubber) sheath that is worn on the penis. A female condom is a
polyurethane sheath with a flexible ring at either end. One end is
closed and is inserted into the vagina, the other end is open and
the ring sits outside the opening of the vagina. The male condom is
far more widely used and is sometimes called a "rubber"
or "prophylactic."
How Does It Work?
The condom works by keeping semen (the fluid that contains sperm)
from entering the vagina. The male condom is placed on a guy's
penis when it becomes erect. It is unrolled all the way to the base
of the penis while holding the tip of the condom to leave some
extra rubber. This creates a space for semen after ejaculation and
makes it less likely that the condom will break.
After the guy ejaculates, he should hold the condom at the base
of the penis as he pulls out of the vagina. He must do this while
the penis is still erect to prevent the condom from slipping off
when he gets soft. If this happens, sperm could enter the
vagina.
Female Condom
The female condom is inserted into the vagina using the
closed-end ring. The other ring creates the open end of the condom.
The sheath then lines the walls of the vagina creating a barrier
between the sperm and the cervix. The male and female condoms
should not be used at the same time because they can get stuck
together and cause one or the other to slip during intercourse,
making them ineffective. The female condom can be inserted up to 8
hours prior to intercourse. It should be removed immediately after
sex.
Using Condoms
A used condom should be thrown in the garbage, not down the
toilet. Once a condom is used, it
cannot
be reused. A new condom should be used each time you have sex and
it must be used from start to finish every time you have sex to
prevent pregnancy and
sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
. Never use oil-based lubricants such as mineral oil, petroleum
jelly, or baby oil with condoms because these substances can break
down the rubber.
And if a condom ever seems dry, sticky, or stiff when it comes
out of the package, or if it is past its expiration date, throw it
away and use a new one. It's a good idea to have several
condoms on hand in case there is a problem with one. It's best
to store unused condoms in a cool, dry place.
How Well Does It Work?
Over the course of 1 year, 15 out of 100 typical couples who
rely on male condoms alone to prevent pregnancy will have an
accidental pregnancy. The use of the female condom is a little less
reliable and 21 out of 100 couples will have an unintended
pregnancy.
Of course, these are average figures and the chance of getting
pregnant depends on whether you use condoms correctly every time
you have sex.
The most common reason that condoms "fail" is that the
couple fails to use one at all. Still, it is possible for a condom
to break or slip during intercourse. Condoms can also be damaged by
things like fingernails and body piercings.
Experts used to think that using
spermicide
with a condom would decrease the pregnancy rate as well as help
fight against STIs. However, more recent information indicates that
this is not necessarily true and spermicide does not help make
condoms more effective.
In general, how well each type of birth control method works
depends on a lot of things. One factor is whether the method chosen
is convenient - and whether the person remembers to use it
correctly
all the time.
Abstinence (not having sex) is the
only
method that always prevents pregnancy and STIs.
Protection Against STIs
Most male condoms are made of latex. Those made of lambskin may
offer less protection against some STIs, including
HIV
, so use of latex condoms is recommended. For people who may have
an allergic skin reaction to latex, both male and female condoms
made of polyurethane are available.
When properly used, latex and polyurethane condoms are effective
against most STIs. Condoms do not protect against infections spread
from sores on the skin not covered by a condom (such as the base of
the penis or scrotum). For those having sex, condoms must
always
be used to protect against STIs even when using another method of
birth control.
Possible Side Effects
Most men and women have no problems using condoms. Side effects
that can occasionally occur include:
- allergy to latex condoms
- irritation of the penis or the vagina from spermicides or
lubricants that some condoms are treated with
Who Uses It?
Couples who are responsible enough to stop and put a condom on
each time before sex and people who want protection against STIs
use condoms. Because condoms are the only method of birth control
currently available for men, they allow the guy to take
responsibility for birth control and STI protection. Condoms are
also a good choice for people who do not have a lot of money to
spend on birth control.
How Do You Get It?
Condoms are available without a prescription and are sold in
drugstores, supermarkets, and even vending machines (in some
stores, they're in the "Family Planning" aisle).
Condoms come in different sizes, textures, and colors.
How Much Does It Cost?
Condoms are the least expensive and most available method of
birth control - other than abstinence, of course. Male condoms cost
about $0.50 to $1 each and are less expensive when they are bought
in boxes that contain several condoms.
In addition, many health centers and family planning clinics
(such as Planned Parenthood) and some schools distribute them free
of charge. Female condoms are a little more expensive and cost
about $2 to $3 per condom.
Reviewed by:
Larissa Hirsch, MD
Date reviewed: February 2007
Originally reviewed by:
Neil Izenberg, MD, and George A. Macones, MD
Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice,
diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor.
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