
There are no known serious short or long term side effects associated with the use of condoms. Some people incorrectly believe that using external condoms can cause side effects or health risks such as illness, infection, disease, or cancer. QUICK POLL: Are external condoms your contraceptive of choice?YesNo Do not use products made with oil as they can damage latex condoms. Clean water and saliva also can be used for lubrication. Sometimes lubricants made of glycerine or silicone, which are safe to use with latex condoms, are available. There are three ways to provide lubrication-natural vaginal secretions, adding a lubricant, or using condoms packaged with lubricant on them. On average, about 2% of condoms break or slip off completely during sex, primarily because they are used incorrectly. Condoms made from animal membrane DO NOT protect against HIV and other STIs. Plastic condoms are expected to provide the same protection as latex condoms, but they have not been studied thoroughly. In fact, when used consistently and correctly, condom use prevents 80% to 95% of HIV transmission that would have occurred without condoms. This means that when used consistently and correctly, about 2 of every 100 women whose partners use condoms become pregnant over the first year of use.Ĭondoms do not have holes that HIV can pass through. When used correctly and consistently, condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. The risk of pregnancy or contracting sexually transmitted infections is greatest when condoms are not used correctly with every act of sex.

In order for condoms to be most effective they must be used correctly and consistently (with every act of sex). It is usually made of very thin latex rubber, although a minority are made of either animal tissue or polyurethane (plastic).Ĭondoms are the only contraceptive method that can protect against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV transmission, when used for vaginal, oral, or anal sex. It also keeps infections that are in semen, on the penis, or in the vagina from infecting the other partner. It works by forming a barrier that keeps sperm out of the vagina, preventing pregnancy. The external condom is a sheath, or covering, that fits over an erect penis. Some people who seek family planning do not want to use external condoms because they incorrectly believe that condoms are not effective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. If a man notices a break or slip, he should tell his partner so that she can use emergency contraceptive pills if she wants. However, if a condom does slip, it will go no further than the woman’s vagina, where it can be easily retrieved, with no need for surgery. Slippage during withdrawal can be minimized if the rim of the condom is held against the base of the penis during withdrawal after ejaculation.

Studies indicate that a condom rarely slips off completely during intercourse. Some clients who seek family planning incorrectly believe that external condoms can easily get lost in a vagina or uterus and can travel through a woman’s body, requiring surgery to get the condom out.
Smaller condoms with good thickness how to#
Learn how to put one on and find out about internal condoms.īack to external condoms – join us as we bust some common myths about this popular contraceptive method. This page was originally published in 2012 and has since been updated.Įxternal condoms (sometimes referred to as 'male' condoms) are placed over an erect penis.
