Male and Female Condoms

Male and female condoms are barrier methods of contraception. They stop sperm from meeting an egg. A male condom fits over a man's erect penis and is made of very thin latex (rubber) or polyurethane (plastic). A female condom is made of very thin polyurethane. It is put into the vagina and loosely lines it.

How effective are condoms?

The male condom is 98% effective. This means that 2 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year. The female condom is 95% effective. This means that 5 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year. If either are not used according to instructions, more women will become pregnant.

Can anything make condoms less effective?

Sperm can get into the vagina during sex, even if you use a condom. This may happen if:

• The penis touches the area around the vagina before a condom is put on (pre-ejaculation fluid, which leaks out of the penis before ejaculation, may contain sperm)
• The condom splits
• The male condom slips off
• The female condom gets pushed too far into the vagina
• The condom gets damaged, for example by sharp fingernails or jewellery
• You use oil-based products (such as baby lotions) with latex condoms. These damage the condoms.

What are the advantages of condoms?

• You only need to use them when you have sex
• They help to protect both you and your partner from some sexually transmitted infections, including HIV
• There are no medical side-effects from using condoms

What are the disadvantages of condoms?

• Putting them on can interrupt sex
• A male condom can sometimes slip off or split
• Some people are sensitive to the chemicals in latex condoms, though this is rare
• When using a male condom, the man has to pull out with the condom still on as soon as he has ejaculated. He must be careful not to spill any sperm
• When using a female condom, you need to make sure the man's penis enters the condom and not between the condom and the vagina and that the open end of the condom stays outside the vagina.