• What it is
• What is is for and how well it works
• The female condom
• How to use condoms
• Putting on a condom
• Taking off a condom
• If a condom breaks...
• Don't let embarrassment become a health risk
• Sample script for safer sex
• Benefits of condom use
• Sex play, pleasure, and the condom
• Disadvantages of the condom
• Side effects of condoms
• Choosing and buying a condom

What It Is
A condom is a sheath that fits over the penis. It is made of latex, plastic, or animal tissue. It is also called a rubber, safe, or jimmy. It catches semen before, during, and after a man ejaculates ("comes"). Some condoms have a nipple-shaped tip to hold the semen — others do not.

What It Is For and How Well It Works
The condom makes sex safer. It protects both partners during vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse.

The condom prevents pregnancy.
It prevents sperm from entering the vagina. Of 100 women whose partners use condoms, about 14 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use. ("Typical use" refers to failure rates for women and men whose condom use is not consistent or always correct.) Only two will become pregnant with perfect use. ("Perfect use" refers to failure rates for women and men whose condom use is consistent and always correct.)

More contraceptive protection is possible if contraceptive foams, creams, jellies, films, or suppositories are also used. They can immobilize sperm if the condom breaks. Some condoms are coated with the spermicide nonoxynol-9.

The latex condom protects against many sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV — the human immunodeficiency virus that can cause AIDS.
The latex condom offers better protection against STIs than any other birth control method. It blocks exchange of body fluids that may be infected.

Latex condoms offer good protection against:

• vaginitis caused by infections like trichomoniasis
• vaginitis caused by changes in the pH balance of the vagina that can be triggered by semen
• pelvic inflammatory disease (PID)
• gonorrhea
• chlamydia
• syphilis
• chancroid
• human immunodeficiency virus.

Latex condoms also offer some protection against:

• human papilloma virus (HPV) that can cause genital warts
• herpes simplex virus (HSV) that can cause genital herpes
• hepatitis-B virus.

Plastic and animal tissue condoms are not recommended for protection against sexually transmitted infections. There have not been sufficient tests of plastic condoms. Some viruses, such as hepatitis-B and HIV, may be small enough to pass through the pores of animal tissue.

The Female Condom
The "female condom" fits inside the vagina like the diaphragm and also covers the vulva. It has the advantage of not requiring a man to maintain an erection during use. Although it is not as effective as the condom, the female condom is a valuable option for women who want to prevent sexually transmitted infection or unintended pregnancy.

The Pill, IUD, Norplant®, Depo-Provera®, vasectomy, and tubal sterilization offer greater protection against pregnancy than condoms, but no protection against sexually transmitted infections. Many people use latex condoms along with these and other methods for the best protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

How to Use Condoms
Handle condoms gently. Store them in a cool, dry place. Long exposure to air, heat, and light makes them more breakable. Do not stash them continually in a back pocket, wallet or glove compartment.

Use lubricant inside and outside the condom. (Many condoms are pre-lubricated.) Lubrication helps prevent rips and tears, and it increases sensitivity. Use only water-based lubricants, such as K-Y® jelly or AstroGlide® , with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants like petroleum jelly, cold cream, butter, or mineral and vegetable oils damage latex.

Putting on a Condom
For pleasure, ease, and effectiveness, both partners should know how to put on and use a condom. To learn without feeling pressured or embarrassed, practice on your penis or a penis-shaped object like a ketchup bottle, banana, cucumber, or squash.

Remember: practice makes perfect.
For contraception, put the condom on before the penis touches the vulva. Men leak fluids from their penises before and after ejaculation. Pre-ejaculate ("pre-cum") can carry enough sperm to cause pregnancy. It can also carry enough germs to cause STIs.

Use a condom only once. Use a fresh one for each erection ("hard-on"). Have a good supply on hand.

Condoms usually come rolled into a ring shape. They are individually sealed in aluminum foil or plastic. Be careful — don't tear the condom while unwrapping it. If it is brittle, stiff, or sticky, throw it away and use another.

1) Put a drop or two of lubricant inside the condom. 2) If not circumcised, pull back the foreskin before rolling on the condom. 3) Place the rolled condom over the tip of the hard penis. 4) Leave a half-inch space at the tip to collect semen. 5) Pinch the air out of the tip with one hand. (Friction against air bubbles causes most condom breaks.) 6) Unroll the condom over the penis with the other hand.

Taking Off a Condom

• Pull out before the penis softens.
• Don't spill the semen — hold the condom against the base of the penis while you pull out.
• Throw the condom away.
• Wash the penis with soap and water before embracing again.

If a Condom Breaks...

• ... during intercourse, pull out quickly and replace it. Men should be able to tell if a condom breaks during intercourse. To learn what it feels like, men can break condoms on purpose while masturbating.
• ... and semen leaks out, wash the semen away with soap and water.
• ... and semen leaks into the vagina during a woman’s fertile period, ask a reproductive health clinician for information about emergency contraception within 72 hours.

Don't Let Embarrassment Become a Health Risk
Nearly as many women as men buy and carry condoms. And many people use them — every time they have sexual intercourse. If you are embarrassed to talk with your partner about using condoms, practice before you are in a sexual situation. Then, choose the right time to talk — don't wait until the heat of passion takes over. It may overwhelm your good intentions.

Don't be shy — be direct. Be honest about your feelings and needs. Talking with your partner about using condoms makes it easier for you both. It can help create a relaxed mood to make sex more enjoyable.

It may be difficult to talk about using condoms. It will be easier if you are in a loving relationship that makes you feel happy and good about yourself and your partner. In any case, don't let embarrassment become a health risk. The following script may give you some ideas.

If your partner absolutely refuses to wear a latex condom, you can use a female condom. Some men have said that the sensation is not so reduced with a female condom.

Don't be afraid of being rejected. Besides, the partner who doesn't care about protecting your health and well-being is not worth your sexual involvement.

Benefits of Condom Use

• Condoms let men help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
• Condoms are inexpensive and easy to get.
• Condoms are lightweight and disposable.
• Condoms do not require a prescription.
• Condoms may help a man stay erect longer.

Sex Play, Pleasure, and the Condom
Many women and men say they have better sex when they use condoms. They are able to focus on their sexual pleasure without distractions about unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infection. Some couples put the condom on as part of their foreplay. Many men stay hard longer when they use condoms.

Disadvantages of the Condom
Some men and women feel that the condom dulls sensation. Others become frustrated and lose some of their sexual excitement when they stop to put on a condom. Some men are self-conscious about using condoms. They feel pressured about having to maintain an erection to keep the condom on. Others feel pressured to ejaculate. Many overcome these pressures and learn to enjoy using condoms by using them during sex play before intercourse.

Side Effects of Condoms
Condoms have no side effects except for people who are allergic to latex. Five to 7 percent of women and men have such allergies. They may use animal-tissue or plastic male or female condoms instead. Some condoms are lubricated with spermicide, and some people are sensitive to different brands. Switching brands usually clears up the problem.

Choosing and Buying a Condom
All condoms are tested for defects. But, like rubber bands, condoms deteriorate with age. If properly stored, they should stay good until the expiration date printed on the wrapper of each condom.

Condoms may be transparent or opaque, tinted, nipple-ended, rippled, studded, contoured, dry, powdered, or lubricated — with spermicide or without. Read labels on "novelty" condoms to be sure they protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

Usually, size is not marked on the package. But condoms come in different lengths, widths, and thickness. Try different brands and styles to find out which fits best.

Condoms are usually available in packages of three or a dozen. Plain, nonlubricated condoms can cost as little as 20 to 30 cents each. Other styles and brands can cost from 60 cents to $2.50 each. For lubricated condoms, the average price per dozen is about $6. Animal tissue and plastic condoms cost about $25 per dozen.

You can get condoms in drugstores and drug departments of other stores. They also are available in Planned Parenthood health centers and other family planning clinics where they may be less expensive or free.

Female condoms cost $2.50 each. They are available at women's health centers and drugstores.

Don't be embarrassed by the thought of going into a store and asking for condoms. Be proud. Buying condoms says that you are responsible and that you accept your sexuality as a normal part of living.

Text adapted from The Condom © 1976 Planned Parenthood® Federation of America Revised version © 1999 Planned Parenthood® Federation of America