Condoms

MALE AND FEMALE CONDOMS

Male and female condoms are barrier methods of contraception. They prevent the sperm and egg meeting.

Male Condoms

A male condom fits over a man's erect penis and is made of rubber or plastic.

How effective is it?

This depends on how it is used in line with correct instructions, how often you have sex. Any oil-based products can also affect rubber condoms. It can have a failure rate of 2 – 15%.
Condoms which carry the BSI Kite mark (BS EN 600) and the European CE mark have had thorough quality checks.

Can anything make condoms less effective?

Sperm can get into the vagina during sex, even if a condom is used. This is more likely to happen if:

• There is any contact of the penis prior to a condom being used, as beginning of male arousal the male is losing fluid, which already has sperm, well before ejaculation.
• The condom splits
• The condom slips off
• Using oil based products with latex condoms
• The condom gets damaged for example sharp fingernails or jewellery
• Putting a condom on when it is rolled in wrong direction, this is noted when you remove it from its package.

Where can I get condom supplies from?

Click here for details

What are the advantages of condoms?

• You only need to use them when you have sex
• They may give protection to both partners from sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.
• There are usually no side effects from condoms, if someone has a latex allergy, they will need to use plastic condoms.
• Male condoms come in different shapes, types, to suit everybody
• Male condoms are easily available.

What are the disadvantages of condoms?

• Interrupts sex
• The condom can sometimes slip off or split
• Some people are allergic to latex
• After sex the male has to pull out of the vagina as soon as he has ejaculated, Otherwise semen may be spilled into vagina.

Can anyone use condoms?

Male condoms are suitable for most people except men and women who are sensitive to latex.
Men who do not always keep their erection during sex may find it difficult to use a male condom.

Condoms and Spermicides

All condoms are lubricated to make for easier use. Some are lubricated with spermicides. Spermicides in condoms are gradually being replaced with water-based lubrication.

Oil Based Lubricants

Oils such as body oils, creams, lotions, or petroleum jelly cannot be used as a lubricant, as this can damage rubber. Certain medication, which is used in the genital area, creams, pessaries or suppositories, as all oil-based products will damage a condom.

How to use a male condom

Use a condom before any sexual contact, as fluid released prior to ejaculation contains sperm. A new condom must be used each time you have sex. Check 'use by' date on the packet and look for the BSI Kitemark (BS EN 600) and the European CE mark. Sharp fingernails and rings can tear condoms.
Make sure it is rolled the right way round
You must leave enough space for 5ml of fluid in a blind ended condom, teat ended condoms have enough capacity for 5ml sperm. You will need to squeeze the teat or blind end to rid the air, keep it squeezed until you have place the condom on to an erect penis rolled all the way down to the base of the penis. If it will not roll down to the base, it is often an indication that the condom is on inside out. The condom must be used when the penis is fully erect and before it touches the vaginal or genital area.
As soon as the male has 'come', the penis retracts very quickly, so it is important that the male withdraws his penis, and is careful not to spill any semen.
Take off the condom, wrap it up in the packaging and put it in a bin, do not flush it down the toilet.
Use a new condom every time you have sex.

Click here for demonstration on how to put a condom on.

How do I use a female condom?

Use a new condom every time you have sex. Check the 'used by' date on the packet

You can place the female condom in the vagina any time prior to sex, but always before the penis touches the vagina or genital area,
The female condom can be place into the vagina or genital area when you are lying down, squatting, or with one leg on a chair. Exactly the same as inserting a tampon into the vagina.
Just like the male condom, sharp fingernails or rings can rip the female condom.
Squeeze the small ring into the shape of a tampon and insert this inner ring into your vagina, push it up as far as you can.
Make sure that the outer ring lies close against the outside area of your vagina.
It is a good idea for the woman or man to guide the male penis into the female condom so to make sure it does not enter the outside of the condom, as the female condom is loose fitting.
After sex remove the condom, twist the outer ring to keep the semen inside the condom, remove gently, careful not to spill, wrap the condom and put in a bin

Click here for demonstration.

Male and female condom should be kept where they cannot be damaged by strong heat, sharp objects, light or damp.