Rubbers
Key points
- The condom is used to prevent pregnancy and to prevent the spread of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - such as HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia - from one partner to another.
- Theoretically, if the condom were used consistently and correctly, it should prevent pregnancy 97% of the time.
- Some people find it helpful to unroll the condom a little before putting it on the penis.
- You should always dispose of condoms appropriately.
Alternative names
Prophylactics - male; Condoms; Male condoms
Information
The condom is used to prevent pregnancy and to prevent the spread of some sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) - such as HIV, gonorrhea, and chlamydia - from one partner to another. Other than a vasectomy, the condom is the only available method of birth control used by men.
The condom acts as a mechanical barrier, keeping sperm from coming into contact with the inside of the vagina and therefore from reaching the egg. Similarly, the condom prevents disease-causing organisms from coming into contact with a non-infected partner's skin. Until recently, the condom was used only by men. A female condom is now available.
The male condom is a thin sheath made of latex rubber, polyurethane, or animal membrane, that fits over the man's erect penis. To be most effective, it must be in place before the penis comes into contact with or enters the vagina (since pre-ejaculatory fluids carry both sperm and disease) and it must be carefully removed immediately after ejaculation. None of the semen should be allowed to come into contact with the vagina as the condom is being removed.
The female condom is the same type of contraceptive device, except that it fits inside the vagina with an inner ring over the cervix and an outer ring over the vulva. This keeps the condom from being pushed up into the vagina, and puts a protective covering over the outside of the vagina, preventing sperm from contacting the area.
HOW EFFECTIVE IS IT?
Theoretically, if the condom were used consistently and correctly, it should prevent pregnancy 97% of the time. The actual effectiveness among users, however, is only between 80% and 90%. This difference is due to:
- the occasional rupture of a condom during intercourse
- semen spilling from a condom during withdrawal
- delayed placement of a condom on the penis (penis comes into contact with vagina before condom is on)
- rupture due to manufacturing defects (rare)
- failure to use a condom during each act of intercourse
For the same reasons, the actual effectiveness of the condom against the transmission of STDs also drops.
It should be noted that only latex and polyurethane condoms, but not those made of natural animal membranes, effectively prevent the spread of viral infections such as HIV.
Lubricated condoms that have the spermicide (sperm-destroying agent) nonoxynol-9 can prevent help pregnancy, but nonoxynol-9 may also increase the chance of HIV transmission. Other spermicides are better.
Written and revised by
Gerald Hurowitz, M.D.
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