Male Condom

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Male condoms are far more common than female condoms. A male condom is a thin sheath that is worn over the man’s penis during sexual intercourse. The condom collects sperm so that the sperm are not released into a woman’s vagina. Condoms are also called rubbers, sheaths, prophylactics, and many other names.

Condoms are made out of a variety of materials including latex, rubber, plastic polyurethane, and animal tissue. Condoms are also available in a variety of sizes, colors, styles, and thicknesses.

They may be dry, lubricated, or treated with a spermicide. Many men keep a supply of condoms in their wallets. Although convenient, a wallet is not the best place to store condoms. This is because condoms are longer-lasting when they are stored under less moist conditions. In general, condoms have a shelf life of about five years if stored unopened in a cool, dry place.

A condom must be the correct size and fit the man’s erect penis properly. There should be 1/2 inch (about 1.25 cm) at the tip of the condom to provide a space for the sperm-filled semen to collect. Some condoms have this feature built in.

Before there is any contact between the penis and the vagina, the condom is unrolled over the erect penis, making sure that the condom is not turned backwards or inside out. Some condoms come pre-lubricated. If additional lubrication is desired, it should be a water-based lubricant. Spermicides may be used as lubricants with condoms and may actually increase their effectiveness. Oil-based products such as Vaseline, vaginal creams, or mineral oil, may damage the condom and should never be used.

There is an obvious problem of lack of barrier protection if the condom breaks, slips, or comes off the penis. Condoms are quality controlled in the U.S. by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for manufacturing defects that could result in breakage. But condom failure can also be caused by the user and his partner. For example, long fingernails or jewelry can tear condoms.

Immediately after the male wearing a condom ejaculates, he should remove his penis from the vagina. The man should hold the condom firmly in place, at the base of his penis, as he withdraws from the vagina. He must be careful not to spill any liquid from the condom.

Each condom must be thrown out after a single use. A new condom must be used for the next act of intercourse. Male condoms are not reusable.

Condoms can be purchased over-the-counter (OTC) without a prescription. Most of the condoms on the market are made of latex. The estimated effectiveness of the latex condom is 87 to 90% or 10 to 13 pregnancies/100 women per year. This means that 10 to 13 women out of 100 will become pregnant each year while using this method.

About 1-3% of people are allergic to latex. In such case, they may be able to use condoms made of polyurethane, a type of plastic. However, polyurethane condoms may break more easily than latex condoms and they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (sexually transmitted diseases, or STDs).

Latex condoms are the condoms that afford the maximum protection against sexually transmitted infections including HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and herpes virus. Latex condoms have been estimated to be 95% effective at preventing HIV. The FDA, as of 1998, specifies the following wording: “If used properly, latex condoms will help to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV (the AIDS virus) and many other sexually transmitted infections, including chlamydia, genital herpes, genital warts, gonorrhea, hepatitis B and syphilis.” Animal membrane condoms, made from the intestines of sheep, when used with contraceptive foam, can be effective in preventing pregnancy but may not provide proper protection against all sexually transmitted infections. This is because the pores in the animal membranes permit small organisms such as viruses to pass through.

The most frequent complaint lodged against condoms is that their use decreases sexual pleasure for the male. This is an unfortunate attitude because male condoms are an effective, acceptable, inexpensive, and safe method of birth control.

RELATED STORIES:
“Natural” Methods of Contraception   Selective Tubal Occlusion Procedure (STOP)   Mechanical Methods of Contraception   Oral contraceptives: The Pill   Barrier Methods of Contraception   Birth Control   Contraceptive Sponge   Female Condom

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