Condoms work as a contraceptive method and help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
A condom is a covering that is used on the penis during sexual intercourse . Also called a condom or prophylactic , its purpose is to minimize the risk of contagion of certain diseases and reduce the possibility of pregnancy .
The condom, therefore, is part of the contraceptive methods . By covering the penis during intercourse of a heterosexual couple, the semen that is expelled during ejaculation does not enter the woman 's vagina and fertilization does not occur. Due to its characteristics, the condom is also a protection mechanism against AIDS and other diseases that are transmitted sexually.
Most condoms are made of latex . Their elasticity allows them to adapt to the shape of the penis, although there are condoms of different sizes. There are also colored , textured and flavored condoms, among others.
The effectiveness of the condom
The effectiveness of the condom as a contraceptive method and protection mechanism depends, in large part, on its proper placement . If placed inappropriately, semen can leak and come into contact with the partner's body.
To be effective, the condom must be placed with the penis in an erect state and before it is in contact with the partner . It should be placed on the tip of the glans and then unrolled until it covers the entire penis. It is important to keep in mind that each condom can only be used once.
There are colored, textured and flavored condoms.
The female version
It should be noted that there are also female condoms , which are located inside the vagina and also cover the clitoris and vaginal lips. In the same way as the male one, it prevents the sperm from reaching the egg as a barrier and, therefore, serves to control birth .
In addition to reducing the chances of pregnancy , the female condom helps prevent certain infections that can spread during sexual intercourse, such as contracting HIV. On the other hand, it is worth mentioning that it does not usually work as effectively as the male version .
The material used to manufacture the traditional female condom is called polyurethane and is a thin and resistant plastic. There is a more modern and cheaper model that uses a substance known as nitrile. Thanks to the presence of two rings , one at each end, the condom can be fixed inside the vagina in the following way:
- The ring that remains inside the female organ covers the cervix and is tight.
- The other covers the vulva, so it is outside the vagina.
Returning to its effectiveness, it is estimated that its regular use offers successful results between 75% and 82% of the time , although this percentage can rise to 95% if it is used without making any errors, that is, taking into account all the indications. . Some of the reasons why the female condom may fail are the following:
- That there is a break on its surface, whether it was defective from the factory or occurred during intercourse.
- Do not place it before the first penetration occurs.
- The lack of consistency in its use (it is enough to stop using it once to " tempt bad luck" );
- Spillage of the contents of the condom while removing it from the vagina.
It is important to remember that the female condom, as well as the male condom, can be purchased without the need for a medical prescription and that it is very affordable, although its price is higher than that of the male condom. In addition, you can not only get it in pharmacies, but they also sell it in family planning clinics and those that treat sexually transmitted infections .