Condoms as Contraceptive

Condoms collect semen before, during, and after a man ejaculates ("comes"). This can keep sperm from entering the vagina.  Some may even contain spermicide to kill off sperm to further help preventing pregnancy.

Of 100 women whose partners use condoms, about 15 will become pregnant during the first year of typical use.* Only two women will become pregnant with perfect use.** More protection against pregnancy is possible if condoms are used with a spermicide foam, cream, jelly, suppository, or film.

*Typical use refers to failure rates when use is not consistent or always correct.
**Perfect use refers to failure rates for those whose use is consistent and always correct.

Using the spermicide nonoxynol-9 many times a day, by people at risk for HIV, or for anal sex, may irritate tissue and increase the risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections.

They also protect both partners during vaginal and anal sex from sexually transmitted infection. Latex condoms offer very good protection against HIV.

In a 1987–91 study of couples in which one partner had HIV, all 123 couples who used condoms every time for four years prevented transmission of HIV. In 122 couples who did not use condoms every time, 12 partners became infected.¹

A similar 1993 study showed that using condoms every time prevented HIV transmission for all but two of 171 women who had male partners with HIV. However eight out of 10 women whose partners didn't use condoms every time became infected.²

And condoms reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, chancroid, trichomoniasis, HPV, herpes, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID). Condoms can also protect against vaginitis caused by trichomoniasis or changes in the pH balance of the vagina that can be triggered by semen.

The risk of passing a sexually transmitted infection during oral sex is lower than it is during vaginal or anal intercourse. People who want to further reduce the risk can use condoms during oral sex.

Hormonal, intrauterine, and surgical methods of birth control offer greater protection against pregnancy than condoms, but no protection against sexually transmitted infections. Many people use latex condoms along with another method for the best protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

For more Information on Birth Control Visit http://www.plannedparenthood.org