MR. POPULAR
One of the most popular forms of contraception, condoms are a simple and cheap way to protect yourself against unplanned pregnancies and STIs. They work by catching the sperm as it is released and stopping it from entering the vagina at all. The tip has a reservoir which collects the man’s semen and prevents it from entering the vagina when he ejaculates. Along with female condoms they are the only form of contraception to protect you against STIs as well as pregnancy. The most important thing is that you use a condom every time you have sex.
Condoms come in all shapes, sizes, and for the sensitive, materials, so even with allergies or sensitive skin, there’s a condom to suit you comfortably.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
- Are condoms effective against HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs)?
- How are condoms tested?
- How can I check a condom is safe to use?
- Are female condoms harder to use than male condoms?
- How often do condoms fail?
- How much protection do condoms give against pregnancy? If a condom breaks what are the risks of pregnancy?
- Is it possible to get different sizes of condoms?
- Can you use a condom under water?
- Is using two condoms better than one in avoiding pregnancy?
- What is the best way to get condoms?
- Does using a male or female condom make sex less pleasurable?
Yes. Condoms have been proven to provide protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). In fact, condoms are the only contraceptive method that also provides STI protection. Condoms provide different levels of risk reduction for different STIs because infections are spread differently — some are spread by contact with bodily fluids while others are spread by skin to skin contact.
In general, research shows that condoms are most effective in preventing those STIs that are spread by bodily fluids, such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and HIV. Condoms also can reduce the risk of contracting diseases spread by skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes and human papillomavirus (HPV). However, condoms only can protect against these diseases if the sores are in areas covered by the condom.
