The male condom is a thin covering worn over the penis during intercourse. It prevents semen from entering the vagina. Male condoms are a barrier method of birth control. They are made of  latex, polyurethane or lambskin and needs to be disposed off after each use. They are the only form of birth control for men that is not permanent. Condoms also prevent sexually transmitted infections such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and HIV.

How does it work ?

Male condoms usually have a reservoir at the tip which is used catch sperms  when the man ejaculates. This reduces the chance of the sperms or any seminal secretion from reaching the vagina or uterus. Some condoms also contain spermicides which are made to kill sperms.

However there is a high chance of pregnancy when the condom

•  is not used correctly
• breaks or tears during use

How effective is the male condom ?

Condoms may not work as well as other birth controls in preventing pregnancy but using it is better than having unprotected sex. It’s failure rate is about 14 to 15%. Condoms that have spermicide agents have an increased effective rate of over 95 %.

How to use a male condom.

It is essential to put the male condom on before the penis

comes into contact with the vagina or its surrounding. This is because

• seminal fluids that come out of the penis before ejaculation may contain some sperms and cause pregnancy
• infections can occur

The condom must be put on an erect penis.

• make sure you don’t poke a hole when removing it from the package
• leave a little space at the tip between the condom and the end of the penis if there is no tip. This prevents semen from being pushed to the sides of the condom and coming out before the condom is pulled out
• be sure there is no air between the condom and the penis to prevent breakage
• after the semen is released during ejaculation, remove the condom from the vagina.

What is the benefits of using a male condom ?

The advantages of using a male condom include the following :

• it is the only birth control that reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections
• there are no side effects unless you are allergic to latex
• it is easy to get and not expensive
• you do not need a prescription for condoms
• they are small and easy to carry

What are disadvantages of a male condom ?

Some of the cons of the male condom are :

• it is considered an interruption during intimate  foreplay
• some men complain that friction from the condom reduces pleasure
• The woman is not aware of warm fluid entering her body and this is important to some women
• it has a high failure rate of 14 %
• it requires diligent and consistent use

NOTE

• do not use  a condom if the package is opened
• do not use lubricants with petroleum base. These break down latex which is a material in some condom
• do not carry condom in your pockets for a long time
• do not use condoms that exhibit signs of discolorations and stickiness. These are probably old condoms

If condom breaks during intercourse, stop right away and use a new one. If sperms are released into the vagina :

• contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist for emergency contraception
• insert  a spermicidal  foam or jelly to help decrease  the risk of pregnancy or passing an STD