Description
Condoms, also known as rubbers, are made of latex, plastic or natural membranes and, when unrolled, look like long, thin, deflated balloons. Condoms are stretched or rolled over a man's penis prior to intercourse to prevent body fluids from mixing when two people have sex.

How It Works
Remove the condom from its package. It will look like a flat coin with a ring on top. Do not unroll the condom! Instead, place it onto the end of an erect penis, ring side up, and slowly unroll it down the length of the penis. Some people enjoy putting a condom on their lover's penis as a prelude to sex; others prefer the wearer to take care of things. If you have difficulties putting on a condom, practice on a banana!

Remember: penises and condoms come in different sizes and shapes, so find a condom that fits well; most condoms cover the glans and at least half the shaft. If you use a water-based lubricant such as Astroglide or Climax H2O 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 against the penis during withdrawal.

Should You Use It?
Condoms, one of the most effective forms of birth control and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention, are inexpensive and easy to use. You can find them just about everywhere, including drugstores, grocery stores, pharmacies and corner markets. The downside: they can take some of the romance and sensation out of intercourse. Many people use condoms until they are married or in a monogamous relationship, and then after testing negative for STIs, they switch to a different form of birth control. If you are not in a long-term, monogamous relationship, it's important that you continue to use condoms during sex -- if don't like them, learn how to incorporate them as a ritual part of your lovemaking.

Effectiveness
With consistent and correct use, condoms are 97% effective; however, most couples will find condoms to be 89% effective at preventing pregnancy.

STI Protection
When used consistently and correctly, condoms are one of the safest and most effective forms of STI protection, bested only by abstinence.

Advantages

• Very effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly and consistently.
• The best method of preventing infection, except for abstaining from sex.
• Condoms are inexpensive and widely available.
• Many men "last longer" when they use condoms.
• 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.
• Condoms can make sex less messy -- after a man ejaculates, 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.

Disadvantages

• Unless the partner puts it on as a part of foreplay, the condom interrupts sex.
• Condoms easily tear with fingernails, a ring, teeth or anything sharp.
• Oil-based lubricants, such as Vaseline, suntan oil, whipped cream or Crisco, cause latex to disintegrate and cannot be used with latex condoms.
• While rare, some men cannot maintain an erection while wearing a condom.
• Animal membrane condoms are not as effective at protecting against infection as latex or polyurethane condoms.
• 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 may experience an allergic reaction to latex/rubber condoms.

Where to Buy It
You can buy condoms from almost any drugstore, grocery store, convenience store or gas station. Some health departments and family planning clinics such as Planned Parenthood give away condoms for free. If you are uncomfortable with purchasing condoms in person, try buying them online.

Follow Up
If a condom tears or breaks during intercourse, it's imperative that you consult a clinician to ensure an unwanted pregnancy did not occur. You will also want to get tested for STIs, including HIV. If you experience an allergic reaction to a condom, try a different brand or try condoms that don't have spermicide. If the irritation persists, you may be allergic to latex. People who are sensitive or allergic to latex or who find the smell of latex very unpleasant may choose natural membrane condoms (skin condoms), which are slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy and more expensive than latex condoms. However, skin condoms do not prevent the transmission of STIs. A better alternative to using skin condoms may be to use polyurethane condoms, since these prevent infection as well as pregnancy.

Contraception Overview