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The condom (rubber) is a sheath of very thin material which is placed over the penis. It collects the semen and thus prevents sperm from entering the vagina. After orgasm the penis must be withdrawn from the vagina before the erection subsides. To prevent the condom from slipping off and semen from escaping it must be held at the root of the penis while the penis is withdrawn. Each condom may only be used once.
Condoms are usually made of latex rubber. As this natural product sometimes causes allergies, condoms made of polyurethane have also been available for some years now.
If lubricants or massage creams are used care should be taken to use only water-based substances. Substances containing oil or fat can attack the latex membrane and make it permeable.
Condoms made of polyurethane can be used with oil-based lubricants.
How reliable are condoms?
Condoms are moderately reliable. Their effectiveness can be reduced through incorrect use or damage as well as through improper storage (e.g. in direct sunlight, near a radiator or in the refrigerator) or by using a condom that has passed its sell-by date.
Advantages of condoms
You only have to use a condom when you actually need it and you can carry one with you unobtrusively all the time.
The particular benefit of condoms is that they also provide relatively reliable protection against sexually transmitted diseases. However, only sexual abstinence gives 100 percent protection.
Disadvantages of condoms
Some men and women complain that condoms reduce the sensation of pleasure during intercourse and interrupt lovemaking.
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If you have sex with a partner whose sexual health is not known to you, use a condom. A condom protects against Aids and other sexually transmitted disease.
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