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Ask the Experts Frequently Asked Questions
Birth Control and Condoms
What is a male condom and how effective is it?
The male condom is a thin piece of latex or polyurethane that a guy wears over his penis during oral, anal, or vaginal intercourse to prevent pre-ejaculatory fluid or semen from entering a partner�s mouth, anus or vagina. Condoms can be made of latex, polyurethane and natural skin. Only latex and polyurethane condoms prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
Some condoms are called �novelty� condoms, meaning they�re just for fun and don�t protect against sexually transmitted infections. Be sure to read the packaging carefully!
Condoms come in different colors, flavors and textures. Also, some are lubricated to reduce friction. Others have the spermicide known as nonoxynol-9, which does double duty. It kills sperm and lubricates.
Flavored condoms -- the ones that taste good -- are supposed to be used only on the penis during oral sex. Don�t use them for vaginal or anal intercourse because the stuff that gives them flavor also might irritate the vagina or anus.
When used correctly, every single time, condoms work about 97 percent of the time. The �real world� rate -- where mistakes are made or condoms can break -- is about 85 percent. A condom needs to be used correctly, each and every time, for it to prevent pregnancy and the spread of disease.
Condoms generally have no side effects, unless someone is allergic to latex, spermicide, or lubrication. Condoms protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) that are spread through body fluids and secretions. Those include HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis.
Some STIs, like herpes and genital warts, are spread through skin-to-skin contact. A condom may not cover areas of the skin that are infected, such as the scrotum, labia, or even the inside of the thigh. So condoms can�t protect against these kinds of infections.
Any person, of any age, can buy condoms in most drug, grocery, or convenience stores. Condoms usually cost about a dollar apiece. But, many family planning clinics, like Planned Parenthood, give condoms out for free or for a real low price. You can also buy condoms through some Web sites, like The Rubber Tree, Condomania, Durex, or Trojan.
