Condoms

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.

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.

What are spermicides?

• Spermicides are chemical products that inactivate or kill sperm cells.

The most famous spermicide is called Nonoxynol 9.

explain where are the spermicidesPierre.brawand 26 novembre 2007 à 21:53 (MET)

• Genrally condoms are lubricated with spermicides.

What is a lubricant?

• A lubricant is a substance (often a liquid) introduced between two moving surfaces to reduce the friction.

What is the role of lubricant?

• The lubrication on condoms makes the condom easier to put on and more comfortable to use. It can also help prevent condom breakage.

What is a lubricant made of?

• A lubricant is often based on water (it’s called a water-based lubricant) and a silicone substance. It’s important to use an adequate lubricant and not any oily substance.
• Using oil-based lubricants can weaken the latex, causing the condom to break.

What are the different types of condoms?

Men condoms

• Condoms are made in different lengths and widths, which have to correspond to the anatomy of the bearer.

Women condoms

• Female condoms are sometimes called "femidoms".
• It functions similarly to the condom for men, creating a physical barrier between the sperm and the cervix, thereby preventing the risk of a pregnancy.
• It’s made of polyurethan too.
• There are disadvantages to femidoms. They are much more expensive than men condoms and less practical to use.

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).

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 and have another contraceptive.

How do we use a condom?

• 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:

How many times can we use a condom?

• A condom can be used only once! If people go from anal contact to vaginal contact, they should change the condom.

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.

• 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.
• People can have allergic reactions to latex. This problem is solved with condoms made of polyurethan. Moreover, latex is extracted from trees and is getting rarer on earth.

Another problem linked with allergies are the irritations of the penis or the vagina due to spermicides.

• It's not always easy to speak about it with a partner.
• Fellatio is often considered less pleasant with a condom.

Why is using a condom so important?

• It's the only contraceptive that protects against STD's.
• 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.

References

http://www.avert.org/usecond.htm

www.medterms.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=9753

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