| Ladies and
Gentlemen: Please Use Your Condom Sense
Condoms—men and women of all ages and
from all walks of life are using them for birth
control and/or protection from sexually
transmitted infections.
A condom (also known as a rubber) is a
sheath worn over the penis. It is made of latex,
animal tissue, or polyurethane. A condom is used
to catch semen before, during, and after a man
ejaculates. When used during vaginal sex, it
helps protect against pregnancy. When used
during vaginal, anal, and oral sex, it also
helps protect against certain sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs).
Condoms and Pregnancy
Prevention
During sexual intercourse, a condom prevents
sperm from entering the vagina.
According to Planned Parenthood, about 15 out
of 100 women will become pregnant during the
first year of "typical" condom use, meaning
inconsistent and at times incorrect condom use.
Condoms, though, have a 98% efficacy; the term
"efficacy" refers to perfect condom use that is
consistent and always correct, while
"effectiveness" refers to "typical" use.
Contraceptive foams, creams, jellies, films,
and suppositories can also be used to provide
additional protection against pregnancy, since
they can kill sperm if the condom breaks. Some
condoms are coated with a spermicide.
Latex Condoms and the
Prevention of STDs
When used consistently and correctly, a latex
condom helps protect against many STDs because
it blocks the exchange of body fluids that might
carry infection.
A study published in a 1993 issue of the
Journal of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndromes
looked at the results of condom use in couples
in which one partner had human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV)—the virus that causes AIDS. During a
four-year period, 123 couples who consistently
used condoms did not transmit HIV. In 122
couples who did not consistently use condoms
during the four-year period, 12 partners became
infected with HIV.
Latex condoms help protect against the
following STDs:
- HIV
- Chlamydia
- Pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
(usually caused by gonorrhea or chlamydia)
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis
- Chancroid
- Vaginitis resulting from infections such
as trichomoniasis (Condoms can also offer
protection against vaginitis caused by
changes in the Ph balance of the vagina,
which can be triggered by semen—usually
bacterial vaginosis.)
Latex condoms offer significant protection
against:
Types of Condoms
Condoms come in various sizes, shapes, and
materials. Here are some things to consider when
buying condoms:
- Size - Condoms come in standard
size (which fit most men), extra-large, and
snug size.
- Shape - Some condoms have a
rounded tip; others have a nipple
(reservoir) at the end to hold the semen.
- Thickness - Extra-strength
condoms are best for men who have anal sex
or who tend to break condoms. Extra-thin
condoms may allow more sensation, but they
may break more easily.
- Lubrication - Many condoms are
lubricated with spermicide, which helps to
kill sperm and certain disease-causing
germs. Lubricated condoms should not be used
for oral sex.
- Color - Condoms come in many
colors. However, this does not influence the
effectiveness of the condom.
- Flavored - Flavored condoms have
a mild, often mint flavor, and are worn when
receiving oral sex.
- Texture - Some condoms have
ripples or studs for extra sensation.
- Material - Most condoms are made
of latex. If you or your partner has a latex
allergy, options include animal tissue
(usually sterilized sheep intestine) or
synthetic polyurethane.
When to Use a Condom
A man should use a condom any time he has
vaginal, anal, or oral sex, if there is even the
slightest risk that either person has a STD. The
condom should be put on before any contact and
removed and thrown away immediately after
ejaculation.
If you are embarrassed to talk to your
partner about using condoms, practice talking
before you are in a sexual situation. And have
your talk well before you are in the heat of
passion.
How to Use a Male Condom
Putting on a Condom
- Both partners should know how to put on
and use a condom.
- Handle condoms gently and store them in
a cool, dry place so they don’t become
breakable.
- Do not continually keep condoms in your
back pocket, wallet, or car.
- Do not use a condom that is too small or
too large for you.
- Pay attention to the expiration date.
- Be careful not to tear the condom while
unwrapping it.
- Put the condom on the erect penis before
sexual activity begins.
- Unless the condom has a built-in nipple,
leave a ½-inch space at the tip to collect
semen.
- Be sure to pinch air out of the tip with
one hand.
- Unroll the condom over the penis with
the other hand, and roll it all the way down
to the base of the penis.
- Smooth out any air bubbles.
- Lubricate the outside of the condom. Do
not use lubricants that contain oil, such as
Vaseline, baby oils, or vegetable oils,
because they can weaken the rubber.
- Use a water-based lubricant, such as KY
Jelly or Silk-e.
Taking off a Condom
- Pull out before your penis becomes soft.
- To avoid spilling semen, hold the condom
against the base of the penis while you pull
out.
- Throw the condom away.
- Wash your penis with soap and water
before embracing again.
If the Condom Breaks During Sex
- Pull out quickly and replace the condom.
- If semen leaks out, wash it away with
soap and water.
- If semen leaks into the vagina, you
should immediately consider emergency
contraception.
- If the woman takes Plan B within hours,
the prevention effectiveness is above 95%.
There is still effectiveness 72 hours after
exposure, but it reduces as the hours go by.
Men or women over the age 17 can purchase
Plan B over-the-counter at any pharmacy.
Women under 17 should contact a reproductive
health clinician about a prescription for
emergency contraception as soon as possible.
For more information, call Emergency
Contraception Hotline at 1-888-NOT-2-LATE
(1-888-668-2528).
Benefits and Disadvantages of
Male Condoms
Benefits
The male condom:
- Helps prevent pregnancy and STDs
- Is inexpensive and easy to get
- Does not require a prescription
- May help a man stay erect longer
- Usually has no side effects. However,
people who are allergic to latex should try
polyurethane condoms. Condoms without
spermicidal lubricant should be used for
those who are sensitive to spermicides.
Disadvantages
Some drawbacks include that the condom:
- May dull sensation
- Can interfere with spontaneity
Additionally, some men are self-conscious
about using condoms.
Benefits and Disadvantages of
Female Condoms
The female condom is a thin,
soft, loose-fitting, lubricated pouch made of
polyurethane that fits inside the vagina and
also covers the vulva. An inner ring at the
closed end is used to insert the device inside
the vagina. The outer ring remains outside the
vagina and covers the vulva. It can be used with
any type of lubricant. The female condom is
about 75% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Before engaging in sexual activity, the woman
inserts the female condom into her vagina. The
closed end of the tube should cover the cervix
and the other end should slightly cover the
vulva. The female condom should be discarded
after use.
Benefits
- The woman controls use.
- The female version is more comfortable
for men and causes less decrease in
sensation.
- It may offer greater protection from
STDs to the external genitals compared to
male condoms.
- This version is more convenient and
allows for greater spontaneity because it
can be inserted well in advance of
intercourse.
- They are easy to get and don’t require a
prescription.
Disadvantages
The drawbacks to the female condom include
that it is:
- Less effective in preventing pregnancy
and STDs than the male condom
- Not aesthetically pleasing
- Difficult to insert or remove
- Relatively expensive
Another disadvantage is that, at times, the
penis may slip between the device and the
woman’s body.
Condoms can be used enjoyably and
effectively for preventing pregnancy and many
STDs. However, no protective method is 100%
effective. According to the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention, the surest way to avoid
transmission is to abstain from vaginal, anal,
and oral sex, or to be in a long-term, mutually
monogamous relationship with a partner who has
been tested and you know is uninfected.
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