What are condoms?

Condoms are thin, soft rubber sheaths that are worn over an erect penis during sexual intercourse. They act as a barrier to prevent pregnancy and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are two main types of condoms - male condoms, which are worn over the erect penis, and female condoms, which are inserted into the vagina before sex. Male condoms are more widely available and used.

Male condom

Male Condoms are worn over an erect penis. They come in a variety of textures, colors, flavors and thickness. Latex remains the most commonly used condom material as it provides an effective barrier against pregnancy and STIs. However, some people are allergic to latex so non-latex condoms like polyurethane are also available.

It is important to use condoms correctly every time one has sex to get the full benefits. The condom should be put on after the penis is erect and before any contact between the penis and partner's body. It needs to be pinch and roll to keep the air out so it doesn't break from air pressure build up during sex. After ejaculation, the condom should be held on to while withdrawing from the partner so it doesn't slip off or semen leaks out. Used condoms should be tied and thrown in the trash, not flushed down the toilet.

Female condom

For women who prefer to take contraception into their own hands, female condoms are anatomically designed to fit inside the vagina. Made from polyurethane or nitrile, female condoms have soft, flexible rings at each end - the inner ring at the closed end and the outer ring which remains outside the body.

Prior to sex, the inner ring is inserted into the vagina. The outer ring remains on the outer labia to cover the external genitals. During sexual intercourse, the penis is inserted through the large central cavity which takes the place of the vagina, wearing a female condom means the man does not require one. As with male condoms, female condoms also prevent unwanted pregnancy and transmission of STIs and HIV/AIDS when used consistently and correctly.

Condom effectiveness

Used correctly every time, condoms can be highly effective at preventing both pregnancy and STIs. Male condoms have a typical use failure rate of 18%, meaning about 18 out of 100 people who use condoms as their only birth control method will get pregnant each year. With perfect use (following directions each time), the failure rate goes down to about 2%.

Female condoms are also very effective, their failure rate is around 5% with typical use and 21% with perfect use. These failure rates only consider pregnancy and do not account for contraceptive effectiveness against STIs like HIV. Condoms provide excellent protection against HIV transmission when used properly - reducing the risk by approximately 80% compared with unprotected sex. Other STIs can also be reduced by proper condom use though they may not provide absolute protection.

Common myths

Despite their proven track record, some common misunderstandings persist about condoms. There is no scientific evidence that condoms reduce pleasure or cause erectile dysfunction. In fact, most research shows they don't negatively impact sensation or performance. Neither does condom use encourage promiscuity. Condom must be used correctly and consistently to maximize their benefits every single time one has sex.

Another myth suggests that STIs can still be transmitted even with a condom. While condoms massively reduce infection risk when used properly, no contraceptive method is 100% foolproof against STIs. Rare failures like breakage or slippage can potentially allow disease transmission so proper use is important. Regular STI screening is still advised for sexually active individuals.

Making condos a regular part of safe sex practices empowers people to enjoy intimacy while preventing unwanted outcomes like unplanned pregnancy and disease. When used correctly and consistently, condoms provide effective yet simple barrier protection.

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