Many health centers and family planning clinics such as Planned Parenthood and some schools distribute them free of charge.
Some health centers and family planning clinics have female condoms available for free. Reviewed by: Larissa Hirsch, MD.
Larger text size Large text size Regular text size. What Are Condoms? There are male condoms and female condoms: A male condom is worn on the penis. It is usually made of latex, a type of rubber. But some are made of materials that are safe for people with latex allergies, such as polyurethane or polyisoprene. A female condom is inserted into the vagina.
It has a flexible ring at either end. One end is closed and goes into the vagina; the other end is open and the ring sits outside the opening of the vagina. The female condoms now available are made from materials safe for people with latex allergies. How Do Condoms Work? How Well Do Condoms Work? Over the course of a year: 15 out of typical couples who use male condoms will have an accidental pregnancy.
About 21 out of couples who use female condoms will have an accidental pregnancy. Side effects that can sometimes happen include: an allergic reaction in someone with an allergy to latex condoms irritation of the penis or the vagina from spermicides or lubricants that some condoms are treated with Who Are Condoms Right for?
Where are Condoms Available? How Much Do Condoms Cost? If you are also using the condom as birth control, make sure your partner uses a spermicide according to the manufacturer's instructions. Although the use of a spermicide increases the effectiveness of a condom as birth control, the use of a spermicide may increase the risk for transmitting HIV.
If you want to use a lubricant, never use petroleum jelly such as Vaseline , grease, hand lotion, baby oil, or anything with oil in it read the label.
Oil or petroleum can weaken the condom, increasing the chance that it may break. Instead, use a personal lubricant such as Astroglide or K-Y Jelly.
After ejaculation, hold on to the condom at the base of your penis and withdraw from your partner while your penis is still erect. This will keep semen from spilling out of the condom. Wash your hands after handling a used condom. What do you need to know about buying and storing male condoms? Buy condoms that meet safety standards. Keep the condom wrapped in its original package until you are ready to use it. Store it in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. Check the expiration date on the package before using.
Don't keep rubber latex condoms in a glove compartment or other hot places for a long time. Heat weakens latex and increases the chance that the condom will break.
Don't use condoms in damaged packages or condoms that show obvious signs of deterioration, such as brittleness, stickiness, or discoloration, regardless of their expiration date.
What are the advantages and disadvantages of male condoms? Advantages They are the most effective protection available against STIs. They do not affect future fertility for either a woman or a man. They are used only at the time of sexual intercourse.
They are safe to use while a woman is breastfeeding. They are less expensive than hormonal methods of birth control.
They are widely available without a prescription. They may help prevent a man from having an orgasm too quickly premature ejaculation. Disadvantages Some people are embarrassed to use condoms or feel they may interrupt foreplay or intercourse.
Both partners must be comfortable with using a condom and be prepared to use one every time they have sex. Condoms may decrease sexual sensation.
Some people are allergic to latex rubber. These couples should use condoms made of polyurethane plastic. Condoms may break or leak. Oil-based products — such as moisturiser, lotion and Vaseline — can damage latex and polyisoprene condoms, but they are safe to use with polyurethane condoms.
Water-based lubricant is safe to use with all condoms. It's possible for a condom to slip off during sex. If this happens, you may need emergency contraception and to get checked for STIs. Condoms need to be stored in places that are not too hot or cold, and away from sharp or rough surfaces that could tear them or wear them away. Putting on a condom can be an enjoyable part of sex and does not have to feel like an interruption. If you're sensitive to latex, you can use polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms instead.
A condom must not be used more than once. Use a new one each time you have sex. Condoms have a use-by date on the packaging. Do not use out-of-date condoms. This means they've been tested to high safety standards. How a condom works Condoms are a "barrier" method of contraception. They can also protect against STIs if used correctly during vaginal, anal and oral sex.
How to use a condom Take the condom out of the packet, being careful not to tear it with jewellery or fingernails. Do not open the packet with your teeth. Place the condom over the tip of the erect penis. If there's a teat on the end of the condom, use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the air out of it. Gently roll the condom down to the base of the penis. If the condom will not roll down, you may be holding it the wrong way round.
If this happens, it may have sperm on it, so throw it away and try again with a new one. After sex, take out the penis while it's still erect — hold the condom on at the base of the penis while you do this. Remove the condom from the penis, being careful not to spill any semen. Throw the condom away in a bin, not down the toilet.
Make sure your penis does not touch your partner's genital area again. If you have sex again, use a new condom. Using lubricant Condoms come lubricated to make them easier to use, but you may also like to use additional lubricant lube.
Condoms with spermicide Some condoms come with spermicide on them. Who can use condoms? Some people are allergic to latex condoms. If this is a problem, polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms are less likely to cause an allergic reaction. If you have difficulty keeping an erection, you may not be able to use condoms because the penis must be erect to prevent semen from leaking or the condom slipping off. Advantages and disadvantages of condoms Some advantages of using condoms: When used correctly and consistently, they are a reliable method of preventing pregnancy and protecting both partners from STIs, including chlamydia , gonorrhoea and HIV.
You only need to use them when you have sex — they do not need advance preparation and are suitable for unplanned sex. In most cases, there are no medical side effects from using condoms. They are easy to get hold of and come in a variety of shapes, sizes and flavours.
0コメント