Male condom

Healthpind Staff

Quick Facts

It is a temporary method of contraception.
You must wear a new male condom each time you have sex.
With condoms, do not use Oil-based lubricants such as lotion, moisturizer, and Vaseline. They can damage latex and polyisoprene condoms. However, you may use them with polyurethane condoms.

Efectiveness

It is 98% effective when used correctly every time you have sex. Typically, in real life, people are not always perfect. In that case, it is 82 percent effective. It means that out of 100 couples who use a male condom as the only contraception method during sex, approximately 18 have a chance of becoming pregnant.

Condom 82%

Key Benefits

There are no medical side effects.
It is an inexpensive and safe way to prevent pregnancy.
There are no medical contraindications.

What is a Male condom?

It is the thin rubber film you must wear over your penis during intercourse. They are mostly made of latex rubber. For persons who are allergic to latex, condoms made of polyurethane are available. Condoms work by preventing the semen from getting released into the vagina.

Condoms are lubricated or non-lubricated. Water-based lubricants can help to make sex more comfortable. They are available in all shapes, sizes, colors, and flavors. Choose the proper size condoms to fit your needs. If sex is prolonged for more than 30 minutes, replace the condom.

Different types of condom

Condoms are mainly of:

Animal skin ( it does not protect against the spread of infections.)
Latex rubber
Polyurethane

Some condoms come coated with spermicide. They do not seem more effective than regular condoms in preventing pregnancy.

How to use it correctly?

Check the expiry date on the condom pack. A condom in an expired pack is more likely to rupture. Open the package carefully. Do not use scissors or blades. You may also check for air bubbles by squeezing the pack between the first finger and thumb. It ensures that the package is not punctured. Do not keep condoms in a hot place.
Check the side. Be sure which way it is up. It is the right side if you can easily roll it down the penis base. It should roll out and not towards the inside.
Always put on a condom on the erect (hard) penis. Wear it before the penis gets in touch with the genital or anus, or mouth of your partner.
Keep a little space by pinching the teat of the condom and squeezing the air out of it. Keep the condom on the penis tip, then roll it down the shaft to the base.
After the ejaculation, withdraw the penis out of your partner while holding the rim of the condom. Pull your penis out before it becomes soft.
After sex, take off the condom and throw it. Take care not to spill the semen inside your partner. Never reuse a condom.
Discard away a condom in a bin, not down the toilet.
Use a new condom if you need to have sex once more.

What if it breaks away?

Although rare, a condom may break or slip during intercourse. If, during sex, you feel a break, stop at once. Start again only after putting on a new condom.

If there is a release of semen into the vagina during the condom break :

Try to remove as much cum (semen) as you can.
Insert a spermicide jelly or foam into the vagina to reduce the pregnancy risk.
Contact a healthcare provider for emergency contraception.

Pros

Protects against sexually transmissible infections (STIs)
It is low in cost
It is easy to use and anywhere
You can carry it anywhere
There are no interactions with other medications
It may interrupt sex for some couples. If you feel so, try to make putting it as a part of foreplay.
If not used properly, It can come off or tear during sex
Some persons are allergic to latex condoms (instead, use a condom made of polyurethane)

Cons

It may interrupt sex for some couples. If you feel so, try to make putting it as a part of foreplay.
If not used properly, It can come off or tear during sex
Some persons are allergic to latex condoms (instead, use a condom made of polyurethane)

Recommended to use if

If you feel comfortable enough, to put on a condom each time before you have sex.
If you want protection against Sexually transmitted infections.
One of the partners is HIV positive.
Couples where males want to take responsibility for birth control.

Not Recommended if

Suppose one of the partners is allergic to latex rubber. If so, you may use polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms.
For men who have a problem keeping an erection, condoms may not be suitable for them. The penis must be erect to stop semen from leaking out or the condom slipping off.