What is a condom?
A male condom helps protect partners from pregnancy and reproductive tract infections, including HIV/AIDS. A male condom is shaped like a penis and is usually made of latex. It can fit over an erect penis or a similarly-shaped sex toy. A male condom can be used for vaginal or anal intercourse, oral sex, or sex toys. It works by providing a barrier between partners so that bodily fluids, like semen, blood, and saliva, are not shared. This helps ensure that sexually transmitted infections are not passed and pregnancy does not occur. Male condoms are the only currently available effective and reversible birth control method for men. Male condoms are
85-98%
effective.
Use • Cautions • Prevent Condom Failure • Care
Side Effects • Advantages • Disadvantages • Further References • PDF Version
Use
Male condoms are only effective when placed just before intercourse or oral sex. At first, male condoms can be awkward to use; take your time and become familiar with them. It may be helpful to practice prior to sexual play. Either partner can put a condom on the penis as part of sexual play. For some people, learning how to put on a condom before sex play can help reduce anxiety with a partner. During sex, water-based lubricants can be used with male condoms.
DO NOT use two condoms at once. Male condoms and female condoms should not be used at the same time. Placing two male condoms on a penis can raise the chance of tearing.
After sex play, throw away the condom. DO NOT REUSE it. Also, do not use the same condom if you engage in both vaginal and anal intercourse.
Intercourse:
The male condom is placed on a man's erect penis. Before putting on the condom, uncircumcised men may find it useful to pull back the foreskin. With one hand, squeeze a half-inch of the tip to remove air and leave room for semen. With your other hand, you can unroll the condom to the base of the penis. The band of latex at the open end of a male condom helps to keep it from slipping during intercourse.
After ejaculating, withdraw the penis before losing the erection. To keep sperm from leaking out, hold the condom on the penis during withdrawal. Throw away the condom and use a new one if sex continues. Maintain distance between you and your partner's genitals to help prevent infection or pregnancy. Sperm may still be on the penis after the condom is taken off.
Oral Sex:
Most people prefer using male condoms without spermicide for oral sex. You can also buy flavored male condoms.
For oral sex on a woman, male condoms can be used as dental dams to protect against the spread of infections. Cut off the closed tip of the condom. Make another cut along the side of the condom. This will give you a rectangular sheet. Place the sheet over the genitals or over a partner's mouth. Be careful to keep any areas of contact fully covered by the condom during oral sex. After oral sex, throw away the condom.
For oral sex on a man, the condom is placed on the penis as it would be for intercourse. After oral sex, throw away the condom.
Sex Toys:
If you and your partner choose to share a toy, like a dildo, using a male condom on the toy can help prevent the spread of infection. Change the condom between uses by different partners. DO NOT use the same condom for more than one person. In addition, wash the sex toy with soap and water when you are finished.
There is a chance that male condoms could break or slip during sex. If this occurs, women may consider taking Plan Bmergency Contraception (the 'Morning After' Pill) to prevent pregnancy.
Prevent Condom Failure
The most common causes of condom failure are breakage and slipping. To prevent a condom from breaking, make sure there is enough lubrication from natural secretions or a water-based lubricant. Dryness creates more friction and can tear a condom.
To keep a condom from slipping off, make sure the rim stays near the base of the penis during intercourse. This is especially important at the end of intercourse as the penis is withdrawn. Either partner can hold onto the rim.
Oil-based lubricants, like Vaseline or edible oils, weaken male condoms and make them less effective.
Store condoms in cool, dry places. Exposure to heat, such as a back-pocket wallet or a hot glove compartment can create microscopic holes. Most male condoms can be kept in their packages for about 2-3 years. Those with spermicide are usually effective for about 2 years. Check the condom's expiration date before using it with a partner.
Lubricant
All latex or polyurethane barriers -- male condoms, female condoms, dental dams or gloves -- are made more effective and more comfortable for both partners when used with an additional, latex-safe lubricant from a bottle or tube. Lubricants reduce friction, which lessen the risks of breakage by keeping the barrier moist and in doing so, also help ensure that genitals remain moist enough to make barrier use more pleasurable.
For the male condom page: To use lubricant with a condom, the male wearer should add just one or two drops into the tip of the condom before putting it on. You can then add a more generous amount to the vulva -- around the vaginal opening, but also on the inner labia and clitoris. If the vagina or the condom feel less lubricated during use, you can either add a few more drops of lubricant, or rejuvenate the lubricant by adding a little bit of water.
For the female condom page: To use lubricant with a female condom, the female wearer should add just one or two drops unto the outside of the condom before inserting it into the vagina. You can then add a more generous amount on the inner labia and clitoris. Before the male partner inserts his penis into the condom, he can put a few more drops of lubricant unto his penis. If the vagina or the condom start to feel drier during use, you can either add a few more drops of lubricant as needed, or rejuvenate the lubricant by adding a little bit of water.
Use only lubricants which are marked for sexual use or as latex-safe. *(I'd include a couple brands here like this to give readers a clue: Some common brands are Astroglide, Liquid Silk or KY Liquid.)* Any kind of oil or lotion, Vaseline or other household item should not be used as a lubricant with a latex barrier as they can degrade the latex or polyurethane. Flavored lubricants should not be used on the vulva or in the vagina as the sugars in them can cause yeast infections. If you are inclined towards vaginal yeast infections, look for lubricants which say they have lower levels of glycerin.
Side Effects
If you or your partner experiences genital burning or itching, it may be a sign of an allergy to either the condom or spermicide used. If you used a latex condom, try using condoms without latex. You can also try a spermicide with different chemicals than the one you used. If your spermicide contains nonoxynol-9, try one without.
- Prevents the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV and AIDS.
- Birth control for men.
- Available without a prescription.
- No hormonal side effects.
- Use can be part of sex play.
- Easy to use.
- Does not affect future fertility.
- May decrease women's risk for developing pre-cancerous cells on the cervix.
Disadvantages
- Must be readily available.
- Can interrupt sex play.
- Can break or leak.
- Possible allergic reaction.
- Decreased sensation for some people.
Emergency Contraception (The "Morning After" Pill - "Plan B" - "EC")
You can prevent pregnancy after sexual intercourse by taking Emergency Contraception pills (Plan B). Plan B works by giving the body a short burst of synthetic hormones that disrupt the hormone patterns needed for a pregnancy to start. Some types of regular birth control pills will work. Emergency Contraception is most effective 24-48 hours after unprotected intercourse but it can work for several days.
To find a clinic, doctor or pharmacy close to you, call the nationwide Emergency Contraception Hotline at 1-800-584-9911, 24 hours a day in English or Spanish (also at 1-888-NOT-2-LATE and ec.princeton.edu).
If you already have birth control pills in your possession, ask the hotline how to use them as emergency contraception. Or call our clinics at 800-572-4223 and ask how to use the birth control pills you already have to prevent pregnancy after sex.
In Washington State you can get Plan B directly from your pharmacy without first getting a prescription from a doctor. Call ahead to make sure they have it in stock and a trained person available to give it to you.
Women's health activists are working to make Plan B available over-the-counter nationwide so that one day soon you could purchase it at your neighborhood drug store.
Some women are buying Plan B in advance (it costs around $35-40) so they will have it on hand if they need.
March 25, 2008
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