Condoms for Contraception & Sexually Transmitted Infections

A condom is a thin, fitting tube-like material that males rolls over their penile shaft when having sex or one which females insert in their vaginal opening before sexual intercourse.

Condoms are meant to prevent pregnancies; thus they can be classified as contraceptives. But they also prevent a healthy user from contracting sexually transmitted infections if their sex partner is infected.

Condoms are built to prevent the semen (from males) from getting into contact with a females’ sexual fluids. Sometimes, condoms are referred to as a barrier or just rubber. However, it is not advisable to use both male and female condoms at the same time. 
 

Do Condoms Work?

Condoms for Contraception are useful, depending on how they are used. One can contract sexually transmitted infections, or a lady can become pregnant if they do not use condoms correctly.

Male condoms are effective (up to 99%) if used in the right way. That figure means in every 100 couples that use a condom, only one may get pregnant.

On the other hand, female condoms are 96% effective if used properly. Apart from preventing pregnancy, both female and male condoms are close to 100% effective in preventing STIs from passing from one person to the other.

However, studies have shown that sexually transmitted infections can get into parts that are not protected by the male condom, such as the scrotum.
 

The Pros and Cons of Condoms.

Condom users have identified some of the advantages and disadvantages that are associated with them. The following are some of the pros of using a condom during intercourse.
 

Advantage: a significant benefit of condoms is that they are a form of contraceptive you can rely during sexual intercourse.

Plus, they are readily available, at an affordable cost, or free, and can be used without prescription. They are comfortably fitting, and until used, they will remain compact and sealed.

Once they are used, it is simple to dispose of them. And when disposed, they pose no danger to the environment.

Some condoms are used together with spermicides, which, along with the condom itself, enhance the effectiveness of the contraceptive. They have no known effect on the production of spermatozoa, ovum, or any hormonal changes. 
 

Disadvantage:  condoms have only a few downsides, and no significant side effects. Nevertheless, some users have pointed out that condoms are unpleasing to some partners and lower their experience and satisfaction.

It is through these that some partners decide to have sex without using either male or female condoms. And when they do, chances are that they will use another form of contraceptives to stop the pregnancy, but the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections remains high.

Furthermore, Condoms for Contraception are known to tear off, burst, or come off during sex and leak out sperms to the female partner which can lead to pregnancy. Also, even with a condom, there are high chances of exchange of bodily fluids during sexual intercourse which increases the threat of sexually transmitted infections. 

Advantage: There are no known significant health issues (among males and females) associated with the use of condoms.

In rare cases, users experience allergies from the lubricants used in both male and female condoms or the scents applied to them. But since these conditions are rare and treatable, they are deemed minor problems. Generally, they have no known major side effects from their usage. 
 

Disadvantage: when using a condom and a man has ejaculated, he has to pull out his penis almost immediately before the penis becomes soft since it will no longer hold the condom in place firmly.

If this is not observe and the penis goes soft, the condom may fall-off and spill sperms, and cause unwanted pregnancy. So no matter how exhausted a man feels, he needs to pull out soon after an ejaculation. 
 

Advantage: Condoms comes in different types, flavours, texture, sizes, and colors so any user can choose depending on their size and needs.

These varieties allow the users to go for their preferences based on resulting pleasure, scent, and the one sizes of their sexual organs.

Those who have problems with condoms scents, due to allergies, or don’t like scented condoms should go for types that aren’t scented.
 

Disadvantage: Condoms can only be used with water-based lubricants because oil-based lubricants can cause wearing of the latex material used in the making of condoms, and tear off the condom leading to unwanted pregnancy.

Due to excessive friction, there is a need to use lubricants. Latex made condoms users are advised to stick water-based condoms only. 
 

Advantage: They have a high success rate put side by side with other contraceptives when used appropriately.

Since they are readily available to the masses, they should be appropriately applied to avoid unwanted pregnancies.

Couples should incorporate the use of condoms even during foreplay as many people fail to consider it after foreplay.

It is for this reason that many fail to put it on, and end up having unprotected sexual intercourse. Though it is viewed as a mood killer when one partner is putting on a condom, one partner should keep on stimulating the other as they wear the condom.

Used correctly, condoms almost 100% secure both the partners from sexually transmitted infections and a boast the same result when it comes to pregnancy protection. 
 

Disadvantage: Thick male condoms reduce sensitivity, and this can cause the inability to maintain erections for long.

When the penis is flaccid and unable to hold the condom in place, chances are that the couple is not be well protected against the risks of sexually transmitted infections and pregnancy.

Due to reduced sensitivity, male counterparts complain of unsatisfying sexual experience and prefer not to engage in the practice than use condoms. To overcome the lack of sensitivity, males are advised to try different brands with different thicknesses and textures to improve their experiences.
 

Advantages: Both male and female condoms are sold at affordable prices. But you can still find free condoms in public healthcare centres.

In advanced nations, areas such as schools, health centres, and public toilets have free condom dispensers for access by anyone who wishes to use them.

 However, many consider these fee condoms as low-quality, and many opt not to use them. Instead, they buy trusted brands from the places they trust such as pharmacies, malls, and shopping centres. Better stil you need to go for STD test and know your partners status.

Contributor: admin