What is a condom?

A condom is a contraceptive device consisting of a thin rubber or latex sheath worn during sexual intercourse that uses two barrier methods: The first one is a physical barrier, that does not allow the sperm to pass, and the second one is a chemical barrier, through spermicides.
Spermicides are chemical products that inactivate or kill sperm cells and generally condoms are lubricated with spermicides. The most famous spermicide is called Nonoxynol 9.

What are condoms made of?

Condoms are usually made of latex (a type of rubber) or polyurethane. It's not clear which is the strongest: latex or polyurethane. With both types however, the percentage of breakages is very small, if used correctly. The majority of condoms contain a lubricant which is a substance to reduce frictions. Indeed, the lubrication on condoms makes the condom easier to put on and more comfortable to use. It can also help prevent condom breakage.
A lubricant is often based on water (it’s called a water-based lubricant) and a silicone substance. It is important to use an adequate lubricant and not any oily substance, like olive oil, by instance. Moreover, using oil-based lubricants can weaken the latex, causing the condom to break.

What is the role of a condom?

There are two main reasons for using a condom. One is to block the passage of the sperm and thus preventing pregnancy. The other is to protect the two partners against STD’s (Sexual Transmitted Diseases). For more information: STDs

What are the different types of condoms?

Men condoms:

Male condoms are well-known and much more used than female condoms. They're made in different lengths and widths, which have to correspond to the anatomy of the bearer.(see Annex Condom 1)

Women condoms:

Female condoms are sometimes called "femidoms". Their function similarly to the male condom, is to create a physical barrier between the sperm and the cervix, thereby preventing the risk of a pregnancy. A female condom is also made of polyurethane.

Using a femidom is really efficient in most of the cases. However, there are some disadvantages such as the fact that they are much more expensive than men condoms and less practical to use. (see Annex Condom 2)

When do we use a condom?

People have to put a condom before every sexual contact between the penis and any part of the partner's body, unless the partners are sure to be free of STD (this means they have both made a test recently) and have another contraceptive.

How do we use a condom?

A condom can be used only once!

Men condoms:

Place the rolled condom over the tip of the hard penis, roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis. Avoid any air bubble, because it can cause a condom to break.

Women condoms:

A female condom is must more complicated to use than a man condom and people have to read carefully the notice before using it. First, the condom has to be lubricated enough. The sheath has to be hold with the open end hanging down. Then the condom has to be inserted gently, in several steps. The condom must be inserted straight, for it not to twist into the vagina.

What is the efficiency of a condom? Is it totally safe?

A condom is safe, and it works! But sometimes people don’t know how to use it, and misuse is the main reason why the condoms sometimes fail to prevent STD’s infection or pregnancy. Some statistics: Condoms are 99.9% safe if used correctly when it comes to preventing unwanted pregnancies. However, most studies of breakage caused by fault in the condom itself have shown breakage rate is less than 2 condoms out of every 100 condoms.

What are the reasons for not using a condom?

Some people think that they have less intense sensations with a condom, which is not really true, because there are nowadays many different varieties of condoms that can assure intense pleasure. Another big problem is the eventual allergies to latex that can have certain people. However this problem can be solved by using condoms made of polyurethane. In addition to these allergies, another problem can be the irritations of the penis or the vagina due to spermicides. We also have to be conscious, that latex is extracted from trees and is getting rarer on earth. To finish, it's not always easy to speak about the condom with a partner.

Why is using a condom so important?

It's the only contraceptive that protects against STD's. Moreover, some people who don't use condoms think they can avoid all the risks of pregnancy and diseases: but remember, even if the man pulls out before ejaculating, the woman can become pregnant or get contaminated by STD's through pre-ejaculated sperm.
For more details: STDs

What about prevention?

Several organizations, as WHO (World Health Organisation) and UNAIDS are encouraging wider access to condoms as a method of preventing both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Many governments and non-governmental organizations provide condoms for free or at lower prices in order to prevent HIV. Moreover, the organization Stop Aids, present in many different countries, often distribute free condoms at their stands. More and more, free condoms are also distributed to teenagers at special occasions or even in nightclubs and they are also many websites to inform people about the risks and the good use of condoms. In addition, the publicity has improved and nowadays- even in the street- the fabricants show the importance of condoms. However, a big information problem remains present. In poor countries, the access to condoms is still very limited. In Uganda, by instance, only 9% of the people have access to condoms!