Condoms

Condoms

A woman can get pregnant if a man’s sperm reaches one of her eggs (ova). Contraception tries to stop this from happening by keeping the egg and sperm apart or by stopping egg production. One method of contraception is the condom.

There are two types of condoms: male condoms, which are worn on the penis, and female condoms, which are worn inside the vagina. This page is about male condoms, where you can get them, and how they work.

Male condoms are made from very thin latex (rubber), polyisoprene or polyurethane, and are designed to stop a man’s semen from coming into contact with his sexual partner.

When condoms are used correctly during vaginal, anal, or oral sex, they help to protect against pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

Condoms are the only contraception that protects against pregnancy and STIs.

At a glance: Condoms

• If used correctly every time you have sex, male condoms are 98% effective. This means that two out of 100 women using male condoms as contraception will become pregnant in one year.
• As humans make mistakes, in real world use at least 15 women in 100 a year become pregnant (85% effective).
• You can get free condoms community sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries, pharmacies or young people’s clinics. 
• Oil-based products, such as moisturiser, lotion and Vaseline, can make latex and polyisoprene condoms less effective, but they are safe to use with condoms made from polyurethane.
• Water-based lubricant, available in pharmacies and sexual health clinics, is safe to use with all condoms.
• It’s possible for a condom to slip off during sex. If this happens, you may need and to get checked for STIs.
• Condoms need to be stored in places that aren’t too hot or cold, and away from sharp or rough surfaces that could tear them or wear them away.
• Putting on a condom can be an enjoyable part of sex, and doesn’t have to feel like an interruption.
• If you’re sensitive to latex, you can use polyurethane or polyisoprene condoms instead.
• A condom must not be used more than once. Use a new one each time you have sex.
• Condoms have a use-by date on the packaging. Don’t use out-of-date condoms.
• Always buy condoms that have the BSI kite mark and the CE mark on the packet. This means that they’ve been tested to high safety standards.

How a Condom works

Condoms are a barrier method of contraception. They stop sperm from reaching an egg by creating a physical barrier between them. Condoms can also protect against STIs if used correctly during vaginal, anal and oral sex.

It’s important that the man’s penis does not make contact with the woman’s vagina before a condom has been put on. This is because semen can come out of the penis before a man has fully ejaculated (come). If this happens, or if semen leaks into the vagina while using a condom, seek advice about emergency contraception from your GP or sexual health clinic. You should also consider having an STI test.

How to use a condom

• Take the condom out of the packet, taking care not to tear it with jewellery or fingernails – do not open the packet with your teeth.
• Place the condom over the tip of the erect penis.
• If there’s a teat on the end of the condom, use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the air out of it.
• Gently roll the condom down to the base of the penis.
• If the condom won’t roll down, you’re probably holding it the wrong way round – if this happens, throw the condom away because it may have sperm on it, and try again with a new one.
• After sex, withdraw the penis while it’s still erect – hold the condom onto the base of the penis while you do this.
• Remove the condom from the penis, being careful not to spill any semen.
• Throw the condom away in a bin, not down the toilet.
• Make sure the man’s penis does not touch his partner’s genital area again.
• If you have sex again, use a new condom.