Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsEffectivenessCondom TypesAffordabilityHow to UseDo’s and Don’tsCondom Alternatives
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Effectiveness
Condom Types
Affordability
How to Use
Do’s and Don’ts
Condom Alternatives
When used correctly and consistently,condomsremain one of the most effective tools for the prevention of pregnancy andsexually transmitted infections (STIs). This includes external (male) condoms and the less-commonly usedinternal (female) condoms.
This article explains how condoms are used and their effectiveness. It also helps you choose the right condom to reduce the risk of pregnancy and STIs, includinghuman immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
A Note on Gender and Sex TerminologyVerywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “male," “female," “man,” and “woman” as the sources use them.
A Note on Gender and Sex Terminology
Verywell Health acknowledges thatsex and genderare related concepts, but they are not the same. To accurately reflect our sources, this article uses terms like “male," “female," “man,” and “woman” as the sources use them.
Condoms: Use in Males and Females
For many years, the word “condom” was used exclusively to describe anexternal condom, also known as the “male condom.” This is the type of condom applied over thepenisto prevent the release ofsemeninto a receptive (“bottom”) partner.
Though external condoms remain the predominant form of barrier protection, some couples opt to use aninternal condom, sometimes referred to as the “female condom.” This condom is inserted into the vagina or anus to prevent exposure to semen from the insertive (“top”) partner.
Both external and internal condoms can significantly reduce the risk of unintended pregnancy. They also have varying degrees of effectiveness in preventing different STIs, including HIV.
Effectiveness in Preventing Pregnancy
Short of abstinence, nomethod of birth controlis 100% perfect. However, when used correctly and consistently, condoms come pretty close.
The risk of unintended pregnancy also varies based on whether you use external or internal condoms, as shown in the following table.
What this means is that, with perfect use, 2 out of every 100 couples who use external condoms for contraception will become pregnant within one year. With typical use, the number increases to 13 out of every 100 couples.
By contrast, with perfect use, 5 out of every 100 couples who use internal condoms for contraception will become pregnant within a year. With typical use, the number increases to nearly 1 in five couples. The disparity is due in part to the fact that internal condoms are more complicated to use than external condoms, making them more prone to user error.
To better minimize the risk of pregnancy, some individuals opt to use a secondary form of contraception, such asvaginal spermicides, which have an efficacy rate of between 72% and 82%.
Effectiveness at Minimizing STIs
The latter includes STIs likegenital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and syphilis, which can be transmitted through skin contact.The person may beasymptomaticand have no idea they are infected.
Condom efficacy rates range from high to negligible, as follows:
The low rate of efficacy with genital herpes and HPV accounts in part for why the diseases are so widespread in the United States. According to the National Center for Health Statistics, 1 in 9 people ages 14 to 49 have genital herpes, while 4 of every 10 adults have HPV.
15 Types of Condoms (and How to Choose)
How Different Condoms Look and Feel
Choosing the right condom can seem overwhelming, given that they come in many different brands, shapes, colors, types, and sizes. However, with a little education and insight, you can choose the one that best meets your needs and preferences.
Condom Materials
One of the first things to consider when buying a condom is the material it is made of, which can include latex, lambskin, polyurethane, polyisoprene, or nitrile.
Each material has its pros and cons, as follows:
9 Best Lubes for a Healthy Sex Life
Condom Sizes
A common complaint about condoms is that they “reduce sensitivity.” However, the problem may not be the condom itself but rather the fit of the condom.
Fortunately, external condoms come in many sizes, usually with asize chartdescribing the range of sizes suitable for that condom in inches or millimeters.
To find the condom size that’s right for you, you need to measure the length and girth (circumference) of yourpenis while erect. You can do this with a flexible measuring tape as follows:
Of the two measurements, girth is arguably the most important as it influences how comfortably and snugly the condom fits without the risk of bursting or slipping off.
Standards vary, but most U.S. manufacturers categorize condoms as being small/snug, regular/standard, large, and extra large.
Do Internal Condoms Come in Different Sizes?Internal condoms come in one size only. The condom, marketed in the United States under the brand name FC2, is roughly 6.5 inches long and with a circumference of 3.55 inches.The lack of sizing is one of the reasons why acceptance of the FC2 has been low and why some women describe pain and discomfort when using them.
Do Internal Condoms Come in Different Sizes?
Internal condoms come in one size only. The condom, marketed in the United States under the brand name FC2, is roughly 6.5 inches long and with a circumference of 3.55 inches.The lack of sizing is one of the reasons why acceptance of the FC2 has been low and why some women describe pain and discomfort when using them.
Internal condoms come in one size only. The condom, marketed in the United States under the brand name FC2, is roughly 6.5 inches long and with a circumference of 3.55 inches.
The lack of sizing is one of the reasons why acceptance of the FC2 has been low and why some women describe pain and discomfort when using them.
How to Properly Size a Condom
Sensitivity
Condom size is only one of the factors that can influence sexual sensitivity; another is the condom material. In addition to allergies and lubricant restrictions, comfort may be one of the factors that affect your choice of condoms.
By comparison:
Do Condoms Reduce Sensitivity?While “reduced sensitivity” is one of the more common complaints associated with condoms, a study from Indiana University recently challenged those beliefs.Based on a survey of 1,645 adults ages 18 to 59, the researchers could find no significant difference insexual arousal,ease of erection,orgasm, or overall pleasure between participants who used condoms and those who did not.
Do Condoms Reduce Sensitivity?
While “reduced sensitivity” is one of the more common complaints associated with condoms, a study from Indiana University recently challenged those beliefs.Based on a survey of 1,645 adults ages 18 to 59, the researchers could find no significant difference insexual arousal,ease of erection,orgasm, or overall pleasure between participants who used condoms and those who did not.
While “reduced sensitivity” is one of the more common complaints associated with condoms, a study from Indiana University recently challenged those beliefs.
Based on a survey of 1,645 adults ages 18 to 59, the researchers could find no significant difference insexual arousal,ease of erection,orgasm, or overall pleasure between participants who used condoms and those who did not.
Novelty Features and Additives
Condoms come in many textures, colors, flavors, and scents, which may be sexually stimulating for some people but not for others.
The response to these novelty condoms is highly individual. While ribbed condoms may be pleasurable for some, they can irritate others who have sensitive genitals.
Similarly, flavored and scented condoms may hide the taste and smell of latex but may also contain chemicals that irritate the genitals, causing pain and redness. Some might even trigger anallergyorcontact dermatitis.
Moreover, sweeteners like glucose or glycerin (commonly used in flavored condoms) can trigger the overgrowth of yeast, leading to ayeast infection.
Even lubricated condoms containingnonoxynol-9can be irritating. While the spermicidal agent may provide added protection against pregnancy, it can also cause vaginal lesions if overused.This, in turn, can increase a woman’s risk of getting HIV or passing it to a partner.
How STIs Increase the Risk of HIV
Cost is another factor people commonly consider when buying condoms.
As a general rule, lambskin condoms are the most expensive option, retailing at around $20 or more for a box of three. At the opposite end of the scale, latex condoms can be found online or through big-box retailers for as little as $3 for three. Polyisoprene and polyurethane fall somewhere in the middle, with polyurethane being slightly more expensive.
To meet FDA standards, all condoms sold must have at least a 99.6% rating. This means that 996 out of 1,000 condoms, on average, must pass the test.
How to Find Free Condoms
Despite the cost barriers, there are ways to find free condoms from governmental and nongovernmental health organizations in your area, such as:
What Do Internal Condoms Cost?
You may also be able to find free or low-cost internal condoms from organizations like Planned Parenthood, family health clinics, and women’s health centers.
How to Use Condoms
Once you have chosen the right condoms, the next step is to learn how to use them properly. As with anything, practice makes perfect once you learn the basics.
Putting on an External Condom
Steps to put on an external condom include:
Putting on an Internal Condom
Steps to put on an internal condom include:
Number of Condoms to Use (and Other Dos and Don’ts)
As straightforward as condom instructions may seem, there are a number of mistakes people commonly make when using them.
The dos and don’ts include:
What Is the Shelf Life of Condoms?With proper storage, external condoms have a shelf life of three to five years, while internal condoms have a shelf life of five years.
What Is the Shelf Life of Condoms?
With proper storage, external condoms have a shelf life of three to five years, while internal condoms have a shelf life of five years.
Condom Irritation and Alternatives
As important as condoms are to your sexual health, some people dislike them and need alternatives that can offer ample protection against pregnancy or STIs.
To prevent pregnancy, there is a large number of reversible and permanent solutions to consider, including:
Alternative tools for STI prevention are few. While safer sex generally infers the use of condoms, there are other things you can do to significantly reduce your risk of infection, including:
Can I Stop Using Condoms If I Am on PrEP?
When used as prescribed, PrEP is even more effective in preventing HIV than condoms. This doesn’t mean that you should abandon condoms if you start taking PrEP.
Summary
Condoms are an essential tool for the prevention of pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. These include external condoms that cover a penis and internal condoms that are inserted into the vagina or anus.
Most condoms are made from latex, while others are made from lambskin, polyurethane, polyisoprene, or nitrile. Each has its benefits and drawbacks. While all condoms can protect against unintended pregnancy, lambskin condoms are ineffective against STIs.
Other strategies may help reduce the risk of STI, including a reduction in the number of sex partners, HPV and hepatitis B vaccination, and preexposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to prevent HIV.
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Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
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