Condoms – Birth Control Methods

Male condoms

Male condoms, as one of the oldest forms of male contraception still in use today, have been used for thousands years. They used to be produced from various materials, including animal intestines, linen and cotton. Male condoms made out of rubber were founded in the 19th century. In modern times, condoms made out of latex rubber are the most popular of all. Apart from male condoms, female condoms were produced and introduced into the market. Female condoms , as well as male ones, protect not only against pregnancy but also against sexually transmitted diseases.

How to use male condom?

A male condom, a thin cover put on erect penis, is a barrier birth control method. A man should put a condom before sex happens and remove it straight after ejaculation takes place. A condom is used only once during each sexual intercourse, oral, vaginal or anal. The sperm gets trapped in the tip of the condom and it cannot reach the vagina, therefore pregnancy is generally impossible. It is important for you to check for any damage and expiration time of a condom before putting it on the penis. Damaged, dry and expired condoms should be thrown away. Additionally, do not forget to check for any breakage or leaking before taking a condom off. If there is any damage to a condom after ejaculation you may no longer be protected against pregnancy and should consult your medical advisor about emergency contraception methods .

The efficacy

Male condoms have the efficacy from 85% to 95% in birth control. This means that each year 10 to 15 women out of 100 will get pregnant using male condoms. The efficiency of male condoms in protection against pregnancy increases with the use of other birth control methods. It is important that condoms are worn properly, put on the penis before it comes any near to the vagina and that they are not damaged before use or after ejaculation. Male condoms, except for natural skin ones, is the main mean in protection against STDs. Although total protection against unwanted pregnancy and STDs can be reached only with abstinence, male condoms are highly effective in protecting against most of STDs, including HIV. However, some of STDs, such as human papiloma virus the main cause of cervical cancer, are transmitted through skin-to-skin contact and hence condoms have little effect on protection against these STDs.

Types of male condoms

There are three main types of male condoms – latex, polyurethane and animal tissue. Latex rubber condoms are the most widely used type of condoms worldwide. They are effective in protecting against pregnancy and STDs. Latex condoms are known to be the most resistant to damage and breakage, although some chemicals like oil-based lubricants and vaginal yeast infection medications may weaken this type of condoms. Being safe and effective, latex condoms also cause a few side effects, mostly allergic irritation to those, who are allergic to latex.

People, who have latex allergy, should choose polyurethane (plastic) condoms that are also efficient in protecting against unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. They cause no allergic reactions to users but are more expensive than latex condoms. Another type of condoms most suitable to users, who are allergic to latex rubber, is natural skin condoms. These are made out of lamb membrane and are highly efficient in pregnancy protection. However, bear in mind that natural skin condoms offer no protection against sexually transmitted diseases. And they are also the most expensive of all.

Side effects of male condoms

Compared to other types of birth control , male condoms have very few side effects. Allergic reactions may occur to people who have allergy for latex. Polyurethane or natural skin condoms are highly recommended to these users in order to avoid allergic irritation. Although most people do not experience any side effects or inconveniences associated with condom use, some male users complain that they find it hard maintaining their erection while putting a condom on or during sexual intercourse. Others may feel that their sensations are reduced during sex when a condom is on. In some cases, couples agree that sex cannot be spontaneous when a condom is used. However, sexually active people should understand the importance of the use of condoms in protection against most STDs.

Recommended e-books:

How to put a condom?

Firstly, check the expiration date. Never use an expired, washed in the washing-machine or somehow damaged condom.
Use absolutely new condom every time you have vagina, anal or oral sex.

Carefully take the condom out of its package. Try to not tear it with your nail, teeth or rings – latex is very thin. If the condom is not lubricated, put some drops of water-based lubricant inside of it. Never use massage oil!
If your penis is not circumcised, pull back the foreskin before putting the condom.
Make sure the condom is right side out.
Squeeze the closed end of the condom (there have to be no air inside a condom) and place it on erect penis.
Carefully roll the condom down the full length of penis with your free hand. Never unroll the condom before putting it on the penis – it will stretch the latex and make condom difficult to use. Be sure to leave a half-inch space at the tip to collect the sperm.
Smooth out any air bubbles – the condom has to fit like a second skin.
If the condom is not lubricated, put some drops of water-based lubricant outside the condom.
After ejaculation, warily pull the condom out of penis while it’s erected.
Hold the condom at the base of penis to avoid sperm spillage.
Roll the condom till the tip of penis and remove.

Dispose condom hygienically. Never flush the condom down to toilet!

Recommended e-books:

Female condoms

While male condoms are one of the most popular forms of birth control, female condoms is the only other method in protection against STDs, aside from male condoms and abstinence. Female condoms are also a type of barrier birth control. They are made of thin polyurethane that causes no allergic reactions to users. A female condom consists of two flexible rings one of which should be put against the uterine cervix, while another covers part of the perineum and labia during sexual intercourse. A woman can put a female condom not more than eight hours before sex but she should take it out immediately after ejaculation takes place. Be aware, that no male condom can be used with the use of a female condom.

Female condoms, in comparison with male ones, are more expensive and have a higher failure rate. The efficiency of female condoms is as much as 79% when they are used correctly. In addition, some people find female condoms uncomfortable and hard to insert into the body. Like male condoms may break, female condoms may shift of slip into the vagina during sex. Therefore an additional birth control method is recommended in order to improve protection against unexpected pregnancy.

Female condoms, as well as male ones, are a safe and effective way to protect not only against unwanted pregnancy but also against sexually transmitted diseases. And with the use of an additional birth control method they can offer good protection against pregnancy itself.

The most reliable condoms

Condoms are barrier birth control method that block the sperm going into vaginal canal if used properly and avoid pregnancy. However, pregnancy is not the only reason to use it. Condoms also prevent from exchanging blood or vaginal fluids. Therefore, it protects from HIV or STD. These are most popular brands of condoms.

Trojan – “A smart choice”

Condoms of this brand are extremely popular and commonly used in The United States of America. Trojan brand condoms are made from latex which indicates high effectiveness and reliability in pregnancy prevention, HIV and STD. They are also easy to use and everyone can get a free sample from the website to make sure that all these facts are true. However, if we take a look to the product line, we will not find a condom under the name of “extra safe”, “ultra safe” or something similar as all the condoms are manufactured from latex combined with spermicidal lubricant. The latter diminishes the number of active sperm so the chance to get pregnant is extremely low even if sperm goes out of the condom. The most popular type is “Trojan Her Pleasure”.

LifeStyles – “Proven Protection That Feels Really Good”

Water-based condoms of this brand are manufactured from latex that is stretched. All the condoms undergo scrupulous quality control, strenuous water, air inflation, automatic electronic testing and other tests to provide worldwide quality and requirements. LifeStyles are also using new formula that enhances sexual function of men ad includes significant minerals and vitamins. Therefore, you get perfect combination of reliability, sensitivity and comfort at the same time.

Durex – “75 years of great sex”

Durex is acknowledged as one of best condom brands in the world and it is the most popular condom brand in UK. These condoms are manufactured from highest quality of natural latex. But before that it undergoes the highest quality of tests. Different preservatives and stabilizers are added after that so it could serve reliability. Moreover, they are tested electronically and in the case of even a smallest breakage that your eye could hardly notice the condom is immediately illuminated. To move on, Durex condoms are tested with air inflation and quality test. Finally the thickness and size tests are taken. Probably this is the reason why this brand has a pretty wide product line – you can choose from ‘extra safe’, ‘pleasuremax’, ‘comfort xl’ and far more. It is important to note that bestseller is considered to “Durex Fetherlite”.

Condoms reliability

In general condoms gives percentage as high as 98% of effectiveness in assuring that after proper its usage women will not get pregnant. Failure of the condom usually results in improper using. To move on, in avoiding HIV there are latex condoms that are extremely effective. If you use a condom, the possibility to be protected from this disease is 10 000 higher than without it. For the protection from some STDs latex condoms are also a wise thing to choose. If we consider breakage and slippage, so you have to admit that this phenomenon is practically impossible to happen in the case you use condoms properly. According to consumer report, the most assured condoms against breakage are ‘Excita Extra Ultra-Ribbed, Spermicide’. Then comes ‘Ramses Extra Rubbed, Spermicide’, ‘Sheik Elite’ and ‘LifeStyles Vibra-Ribbed’. It was estimated that not a single condom broke out of 353 condoms which were used by workers in ‘intimate sphere’. It was only two (which gives only 0,4%) that slipped off.