Because condoms are the only method of birth control currently available for guys, they allow the male to take responsibility for birth control and STD protection.
Condoms are easy to find in drugstores, supermarkets, and even vending machines. In some stores, they're in the "Family Planning" aisle. Condoms do not require a doctor's visit or a prescription. 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. It also keeps infections that are in semen, on the penis, or in the vagina from infecting the other partner. It is usually made of very thin latex rubber, although a minority are made of either animal tissue or polyurethane plastic.
Condoms 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. In order for condoms to be most effective they must be used correctly and consistently with every act of sex.
The risk of pregnancy or contracting sexually transmitted infections is greatest when condoms are not used correctly with every act of sex. This means that when used consistently and correctly, about 2 of every women whose partners use condoms become pregnant over the first year of use. Condoms do not have holes that HIV can pass through. Plastic condoms are expected to provide the same protection as latex condoms, but they have not been studied thoroughly. Used properly, condoms seldom break.
Lubrication helps avoid condom breakage. There are three ways to provide lubrication—natural vaginal secretions, adding a lubricant, or using condoms packaged with lubricant on them.
Sometimes lubricants made of glycerine or silicone, which are safe to use with latex condoms, are available. Clean water and saliva also can be used for lubrication.
Do not use products made with oil as they can damage latex condoms. Some people incorrectly believe that using male condoms can cause side effects or health risks such as illness, infection, disease, or cancer in men and women.
There are no known serious short or long term side effects associated with the use of condoms. In fact, the use of condoms may help protect against conditions caused by STIs including recurring pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, and infertility. Severe allergic reactions involve hives or rash over much of the body, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness after coming in contact with latex.
Both men and women can be allergic to latex and latex condoms. Allergy to latex is uncommon in the general population, and reports of mild allergic reactions to condoms are very rare. Severe allergic reactions to condoms are extremely rare. Plastic condoms made of synthetic materials offer an alternative for individuals who are allergic or sensitive to latex.
Plastic condoms are expected to provide the same protection as latex condoms, but they have not been studied as thoroughly. Condoms made of animal skin such as lambskin also called natural skin condoms are not effective for preventing STIs, including HIV, however.
Some men and women incorrectly believe that male condoms constrict an erect penis, causing premature ejaculation. Using a male condom does not cause premature ejaculation. On the contrary, condoms can help users maintain an erection longer and prevent premature ejaculation, especially when the placement of the condom on the penis is a routine part of sexual foreplay. Some men and women who seek family planning believe that male condoms encourage infidelity, promiscuity, or prostitution.
There is no evidence that condoms or other methods of contraception affect behavior. Planned Parenthood. What size condom do I need? Erect penile length and circumference dimensions of 1, sexually active men in the United States.
J Sex Med. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Male condom use. Updated June 2, What are the best condoms to get? Breakage, slippage and acceptability outcomes of a condom fitted to penile dimensions.
Sex Transm Infect. Your Privacy Rights. To change or withdraw your consent choices for VerywellHealth. At any time, you can update your settings through the "EU Privacy" link at the bottom of any page. These choices will be signaled globally to our partners and will not affect browsing data.
We and our partners process data to: Actively scan device characteristics for identification. I Accept Show Purposes. How to Measure Your Penis Correctly. Condom Size Chart. The 9 Best Condoms of Frequently Asked Questions What is the average condom size? Are condoms one-size-fits-all? Learn More: Types of Penises. What can happen if a condom isn't the right size? Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback! Sign Up. What are your concerns? Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles.
Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
0コメント