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Condoms are made of
latex, plastic, or natural membranes. Condoms look like long thin deflated balloons.
They prevent body fluids from mixing when two people have sex. The condom is put
onto the penis before the penis comes into contact with the vagina, anus, or mouth.
Among typical heterosexual couples who initiate use of latex condoms for men,
about 15% will experience an accidental pregnancy in the first year. If condoms
are used consistently and correctly, about 2% will become pregnant.
Complete information about condoms is available from your clinician
or from the package insert.
- Condoms are safe, and they are effective at preventing both infection
and pregnancy when used with each act of sex.
- Condoms are the best method of preventing infection except for
abstaining from sex.
- Many men "last longer" when they use condoms.
Prolonging sex may make sex more fun.
- Condoms come in many colors,
sizes, flavors, and styles (for example, with and without ribbing, with and without studs,
with and without lubrication or spermicide).
Variety is exciting!
- Remember: penises and condoms come in different sizes, so find a condom that fits.
- Condoms can make sex less messy. After a man comes, his semen stays
inside the condom.
- Putting on the condom can be a fun, erotic experience if your partner
puts the condom on your penis, or you put it on your partner's penis.
- If you use a water-based lubricant, such as Astroglide or KY Jelly, it may decrease the chance of your condom breaking.
- To decrease the chance of the condom slipping down the penis or falling
off in the vagina or anus, pull the penis out of the vagina or anus right
after ejaculation. Don't continue thrusting until the penis becomes
soft.
- Hold the rim of the condom onto the penis during withdrawal.
- Practice putting a condom onto a banana. Practice makes perfect!
- Unless the partner puts it on as a part of foreplay, the condom interrupts sex.
- When putting the condom on the penis you must avoid tearing the condom or
putting a hole in it with fingernails, a ring, or anything sharp. This includes
anything sharp in the mouth.
- YOU CANNOT USE OIL-BASED LUBRICANTS such as Vaseline, suntan oil,
whipped cream, or Crisco, with latex condoms! These products put a hole
in a condom in a matter of seconds.
- Some men cannot maintain an erection with a condom on. This does not
happen for most men.
- The man must pull out soon after ejaculation. If he becomes soft, the
condom can fall off and be left in the vagina or anus without the couple
knowing that this has happened.
- Some people are sensitive or allergic to latex. If allergy to condom use seems to be a problem, check to see if it's actually the latex that's causing the allergic reaction and not the type or brand that is causing irritation. Irritation can also be caused by lubricants or spermicides that are used with condoms. Polyurethane condoms (plastic condoms) are slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy (because they are more likely to break or slip) and more expensive than latex condoms. However, they may help if either partner is sensitive to latex, and they do protect against infection. Another alternative is natural membrane condoms (skin condoms). But, remember that STDs can be transmitted through a skin condom, so skin condoms are only helpful at preventing pregnancy.
You can buy condoms from any drugstore and from many supermarkets and
gas stations. Some health departments and family planning clinics give
away free condoms.
For 72 hours AFTER unprotected sex, you can take emergency
contraceptive pills to avoid becoming pregnant. For up to 7 days AFTER
unprotected sex, you can have an IUD
put in. Not all clinicians know about emergency contraception. If you want
more information or would like the phone numbers of clinicians near you
who prescribe emergency contraception, CALL the toll-free hotline 1-888-NOT-2-LATE
or 1-800-584-9911. Some of these sources of help are free.
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physical devices
cervical cap
condoms for men
condoms for women
vaginal film(VCF)
diaphragm
copper T IUD
emergency IUD
levonorgestrel IUD
implanon implant
norplant implants
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