Condoms
Definition
A condom is a type of birth control (contraceptive) that is worn
during intercourse to prevent pregnancy and the spread of some
sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), such as:
See also: Female condoms
Alternative Names
Prophylactics; Rubbers; Male
condoms
Information
Other than a vasectomy, the condom is the only available
method of birth control for men.
A condom blocks sperm from coming
in contact with the inside of the vagina, where it could reach an egg. (If
sperm reaches an egg, pregnancy can result.) A condom also prevents
disease-causing substances from spreading from one person to
another.
Until recently, the condom was
used only by men. A female condom is now available.
The male condom is a thin cover
that fits over a man's erect penis.
Condoms are made of:
- Animal skin
- Latex rubber
- Polyurethane
For the best protection, the
condom must be put on before the penis comes into contact with or
enters the vagina (because pre-ejaculation fluids carry both sperm
and disease). Remove the condom carefully right after ejaculation
so that no semen leaks out.
The female condom fits inside the
vagina. It has two rings to keep the condom in place -- one ring is
placed over the woman's cervix and
another one is placed over her vulva. This placement prevents the condom
from being pushed up into the vagina. It also creates a protective
covering over the outside of the vagina, which prevents sperm from
contacting the area.
HOW WELL DOES A CONDOM
WORK?
If a condom is used regularly and
correctly, it should prevent pregnancy 97% of the time. The actual
effectiveness among users, however, is only 80 - 90%. This is due
to:
- Break in condom due to
manufacturing problems (rare)
- Failure to use a condom during
each act of intercourse
- Occasional tear of a condom
during intercourse
- Semen spilling from a condom
during withdrawal
- Waiting too long to put a condom
on the penis (penis comes into contact with vagina before condom is
on)
How well a condom works to
prevent STDs also depends on the factors mentioned
above.
Only latex and polyurethane
condoms, but not those made of natural animal skin, effectively
prevent the spread of viral infections such as HIV.
Condoms that contain spermicides
may slightly further reduce the risk of pregnancy. However, they
are no more likely to reduce the risk of HIV or STDs than condoms
lubricated with other substances.
CONVENIENCE
- Condoms are available without a
prescription.
- Condoms can be bought at most
drugstores, in vending machines in some restrooms, by mail order,
and at certain health care clinics.
- Condoms are
inexpensive.
- Since the condom must be put on
when the penis is erect, but before contact is made between the
penis and vagina, there is usually a brief interruption during
foreplay. Many couples solve the problem by making the process of
placing the condom on the penis part of foreplay.
- Some pre-planning is needed to
have a condom handy at the time of intercourse.
ADVANTAGES
- Condoms may help men who have
trouble keeping an erection, and may help prolong the
erection.
- They protect against pregnancy
and sexually transmitted diseases.
DISADVANTAGES
- A few men cannot keep an
erection after putting on a condom.
- Allergic reactions to latex condoms are
rare, but they do occur. (Changing to condoms made of polyurethane
or animal membranes may help.)
- Friction of the condom may
reduce stimulation of the clitorus and lubrication, making
intercourse less enjoyable or even uncomfortable. (Lubricated
condoms may reduce this problem.)
- Intercourse also may be less
pleasurable because the man must pull out his penis right after
ejaculation.
- The woman is not aware of warm
fluid entering her body (important to some women, not to
others).
HOW TO USE A MALE CONDOM
- Remove the condom from its
package, being careful not to tear or poke a hole in it while
opening the package.
- If the condom has a little tip
(receptacle) on the end of it (to collect semen), place the condom
against the top of the penis and carefully roll the sides down the
shaft of the penis. If there is no tip, be sure to leave a little
space between the condom and the end of the penis. Otherwise, the
semen may push up the sides of the condom and come out at the
bottom before the penis and condom are pulled out. Be sure there is
not any air between the penis and the condom. This can cause the
condom to break.
- Some people find it helpful to
unroll the condom a little before putting it on the penis. This
leaves plenty of room for semen to collect and prevents the condom
from being stretched too tightly over the penis.
- After ejaculation, remove the
condom from the vagina. The best way is to grasp the condom at the
base of the penis and hold it as the penis is pulled
out.
- Always throw out condoms after
use. Flushing a condom down the toilet may clog plumbing. Instead
of flushing condoms, you can wrap them in toilet tissue or put them
in plastic bags before throwing them in a garbage can. Put the
condom in a garbage can that is out of reach of children and
pets.
IMPORTANT TIPS
- Make sure condoms are available
and convenient. If no condoms are handy at the time of a sexual
encounter, you may be tempted to have intercourse without
one.
- Carefully withdraw the penis
right after ejaculation so that semen cannot leak out of the condom
as the erection is lost.
- Use each condom only
once.
- Do not carry condoms in your
wallet for long periods of time. Replace them every once in a
while. Friction from opening and closing your wallet, and from
walking (if you carry your wallet in your pocket) can lead to tiny
holes in the condom. Nevertheless, it is better to use a condom
that has been in your wallet for a long time than to not use one at
all.
- Don't use a condom that is
brittle, sticky, or discolored. These are signs of age, and old
condoms are more likely to break.
- If a condom package is damaged,
don't use the condom because it also may be damaged.
- Do not use a petroleum-based
substance such as Vaseline as a lubricant. These substances break
down latex, the material in some condoms.
- If you feel a condom break
during intercourse, stop right away and put on a new one. Remember,
ejaculation does not have to occur for a pregnancy to result
(pre-ejaculatory fluids can contain active sperm), or for a disease
to be transmitted.
- If ejaculation occurs with a
broken condom, insert a spermicidal foam or jelly to help reduce
the risk of pregnancy or passing an STD. You can also contact your
health care provider or pharmacy about emergency contraception
("morning-after pills").
- Store condoms in a cool, dry
place away from sunlight and heat.
Review Date: 9/12/2008
Reviewed By: A.D.A.M. Editorial Team: David Zieve, MD, MHA, Greg
Juhn, MTPW, David R. Eltz. Previously reviewed by Peter Chen, MD,
Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, University of
Pennsylvania Medical Center, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by
VeriMed Healthcare Network (2/19/2008).
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condition. A licensed medical professional should be consulted for
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