Currently, condoms are the only widely available, proven method for reducing transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) during sex. Condoms work. Condoms work best when you know some basic facts and understand how to use them. The facts on this page will help you have a better idea of how to use condoms correctly and protect your (and your partner’s) health.
External condoms are thin, stretchy pouches that go over the penis to prevent pregnancy and STIs. Cave drawings suggest that the idea of condoms has been around for thousands of years. Early condoms were likely made from animal skins but now we have modern materials like latex, polyurethane, and silicone.
These materials are thin (to let you feel your partner) and strong (to prevent sperm or germs from getting through). Condoms are easy to get, easy to use, and inexpensive. They are the only form of birth control that also protects against STIs.
Condoms provide a strong barrier that prevent sperm from getting into the vagina during penis-in-vagina sex. When used consistently (every time) and correctly (the right way) condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. Condoms are very easy to use, but people make mistakes. In real world conditions condoms are about 87% effective in preventing pregnancy.
Most condom failure is user failure. Studies have found that people sometimes don’t put on a condom at the beginning of sex, or they take it off too soon. The most common condom failure though—not using one at all. We can’t really blame a condom that’s been left in the night table drawer, can we?
To ensure you get the best pregnancy protection, use a condom every time. Put it on before sex starts and leave it on until after ejaculation.
Condoms also provide a strong barrier that even the smallest STI germ cannot get through. Studies have found that condoms are highly effective in preventing HIV. They are also very good at preventing STIs like chlamydia and gonorrhea that are spread through semen and vaginal/cervical secretions. The condom acts as a barrier that prevents you and your partner from exchanging these fluids.
Condoms can also reduce the risk of STIs like syphilis, herpes, and HPV that are spread through skin-to-skin contact when the infected areas are protected by the condom. Condoms can’t provide complete protection for these STIs because sores and warts can appear in places they don’t cover like on the scrotum or the buttocks.
Using a condom is still an important part of STI prevention. Research shows that most HPV infections in men, for example, are located in areas that are covered by a condom. Studies also show that young women who use condoms are much less likely to contract HPV. Using latex condoms can also reduce an individual’s risk of developing HPV-associated diseases such as cervical cancer.
Condoms are a Class II medical device which means they are manufactured to strict FDA and industry standards. Condoms undergo rigorous strength testing. In fact, every condom goes through an electrical current test to make sure there aren’t any holes.
The FDA requires some pretty complicated condom instructions inside the box, but anyone who has ever used one knows it’s pretty easy. Check the expiration date (don’t worry, they last a long time), open the package, and unroll it onto the erect penis. It’s that simple.
When you’re done having sex, make sure you or your partner pull outs and takes the condom off pretty quickly. The condom won’t be as tight around the penis once the erection goes down and semen could leak out.
Throw it away and grab a new one if you’re going to have sex again.
It’s that easy.
The biggest challenge in condom of use may be making sure you have one every time you might need one. But that’s not hard either. Condoms are sold in pharmacies, supermarkets, and convenience stores. They are given out (often for free) at health departments, clinics, and schools. Or you can order in bulk online. Condoms cost about $2 each and—as we said—lots of places give then away for free.
Keep a stash in your night table, another in your purse, some in the bathroom vanity, and a few more in the kitchen (you never know). Have a bowl by the front door. And share with your friend.
Some people rely on condoms for contraception and STI prevention. Others use them in addition to another contraceptive method like the pill or an IUD that don’t prevent STIs. Using a condom with another method can provide extra pregnancy prevention and protect you from STIs.
You can also use condoms as a back-up method. For example, some antibiotics have been known to reduce the effectiveness of the birth control pill. If you’re on these medications but feeling better enough to have sex, you can use a condom for added pregnancy protection.
Condoms come in many different materials, shapes, and sizes. All condoms on the market are tested and equally effective at preventing STIs and pregnancy, so it’s just about finding the one you like. Pick one with bumps or ridges. Try one that warms or cools. Too tight? Try a bigger size. Too loose? Get one that’s smaller. Want more sensations? Get one that tight at the bottom and loose at the top to give some wiggle room. Allergic to latex? Go for polyurethane. And don’t forget the lube which can make sex slipperier and more pleasurable.
The internal condom is a nitrile pouch that fits inside the vagina. It has a soft ring on each end. The outer, larger ring stays on the outside of the vagina and partly covers the labia (lips). The inner ring fits on the inside of the vagina close to the cervix to hold the condom in place.
The internal condom can also be used in the rectum for anal sex. For anal sex, you can use the inner ring or take it out before you insert the condom.
You can put the internal condom in hours before you have sex if you don’t want to have to think about it in the moment.
The internal condom is very effective at preventing both pregnancy and STIs. It covers some additional areas (like the vulva) where STIs might occur.
Using an internal condom is easy, the most important part is to make sure the penis is inserted into the condom instead of to the side of it. (You or your partner can use a hand to guide the penis into the right place.) An internal condom can only be used once. Remove it after sex, careful not to spill any semen inside. Throw it away and get another one.
In the United States, internal condoms are only available by prescription. If you’re interested in using one talk to your health care provider.
Yes. Condoms are a good method of birth control because they are easy to find, easy to use, and inexpensive. The only advanced planning needed is making sure that you have one with you.
If used the right way every time, condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy which is similar to other methods. Under real life conditions they are about 87% effective.
There are birth control methods that are more effective under real life conditions such as the IUD, the implant, or the pill, but they require a little more advanced planning. You need to see a provider for many of these methods. If you are having penis-in-vagina sex frequently, you might want to consider another form of contraception instead of or in addition to condoms.Remember, condoms are the only method that also protect against STIs.
Yes. Anal sex can spread STIs. The skin around the anus is very sensitive and may tear during sex. This can increase the risk of contracting an STI. Condoms reduce the risk of STI transmission during anal sex. It’s also important to use lube to prevent friction because that makes tearing less likely.
Yes. HIV is transmitted through blood, semen, and vaginal/cervical fluids. Condoms provide a barrier that prevents partners from exchanging these fluids. There have been a lot of studies—both in laboratories and among couples where one partner has HIV and the other dose not—that show that condoms provide very good protection against this virus.
Yes, if the virus is in an area covered by the condom. HPV (human papillomavirus) is transmitted through skin-to-skin contact. Condoms can serve as a barrier between partners if the virus is in an area covered by the condom. Sometimes HPV can be in areas—like the scrotum—that are not covered. Condoms don’t provide protection when that happens.
Research does show that using condoms that most HPV infections in men are located in areas covered by the condoms. Studies also show that young women who use condoms are much less likely to contract HPV than their peers who don’t use condoms.
Also remember that there is a vaccine that can prevent the nine types of HPV that are most likely to cause cancer and genital warts. Talk to your provider to see if you’ve had or can get the vaccine.
Yes, if the syphilis sore is in an area covered by the condom. Syphilis is transmitted through contact with a sore. Condoms can serve as a barrier between partners if the sore is in an area covered by the condom. Sometimes syphilis sores can be in areas—like the scrotum—that are not covered. Condoms don’t provide protection when that happens.
Yes, if the herpes is in an area covered by the condom. Herpes is transmitted through contact with a sore or shedding virus. Condoms can serve as a barrier between partners if the virus is in an area covered by the condom. Sometimes herpes sores and shedding virus can be in areas—like the scrotum—that are not covered. Condoms don’t provide protection when that happens.
No. Condoms are rigorously tested to make sure they are strong and don’t have any holes. When used right condom rarely break. There are things you can do to help prevent condom breakage.