Condoms are not only one of the most popular forms of male birth control, they’re also one of the most popular contraceptives in general. They’re inexpensive, easy to use, and have some of the best success rates for preventing unwanted pregnancies or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Here is a quick overview of what condoms are and how they work.
Using a Condom
To begin, determine which way the condom unrolls by placing your finger inside it and applying gentle pressure. If the condom resists, try it from the other side. Next, unroll it onto an erect penis, making sure to leave a small amount of space at the end to act as a reservoir for semen. During sex, you should periodically check to ensure that the condom has not broken or slipped—if it has, remove it and use a new one. When removing a condom, pull it off from the bottom and be sure to avoid any spillage.
Condom Materials
By far the most common material used to make condoms is latex, and this is primarily because of its durability. When made from this substance, condoms can be stretched to almost 800% of their original size without the risk of breaking or tearing. However, this risk increases when latex comes into contact with oil-based lubricants, so users should be sure to find an acceptable alternative—such as a water- or silicone-based one.
The next most common material used for condoms is a synthetic polymer known as polyurethane. Unlike latex, polyurethane condoms can be used in conjunction with oil-based lubricants, but they are generally less elastic, which means there’s a greater risk for slippage or breakage. Most people who opt for polyurethane do so because of an allergy to latex.
Finally, condoms are also available in lambskin, or sheep intestine. People who prefer lambskin typically do so because they claim it has a more “natural” feel than latex or polyurethane, but they’re also a common choice among people with a latex allergy. Lambskin condoms are a bit controversial because of their perceived ineffectiveness at preventing STIs—the material is more porous than the others, which means that infections could be more likely to slip through. However, there are currently no studies to confirm or deny this argument.
Female Condoms
While condoms are typically thought of as a form of male birth control, female condoms exist as well. The general principal behind the female condom is the same—preventing pregnancy and STIs by blocking contact with semen. However, female condoms are typically more expensive and more difficult to use than the male form.
Condom Effectiveness
Condoms are one of the most effective ways to prevent both pregnancy and STIs, but they are not foolproof. When used correctly, they have about a 98% success rate. However, when used inconsistently, that success rate can drop to as low as 80%.
Alternative Forms of Male Birth Control
Unfortunately, apart from condoms there are not many other forms of male birth control. Vasectomies are a potential option, but for many men this is much too permanent of a solution. The withdrawal method is another choice, but it’s difficult to perform correctly, and even when done so there is still a larger risk of pregnancy than with condoms. Thankfully, there is currently research being done to develop other methods of male birth control—including an oral contraceptive similar to “the pill.” However, it should be mentioned that all of these other forms only help reduce the risk of pregnancy, not the risk of STIs.
