Condoms
Rubbers, johnnies, sheaths and many other names are sometimes used to describe condoms. But just what are they?
Condoms are a barrier form of contraception. They are made of are made of latex or polyurethane (thin rubber materials) and fit over a boy's penis when it is erect (or in the case of a female condom, they fit inside a girl's vagina). They act as a barrier between two people having sex and can prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from entering a girl’s uterus. When used correctly, male condoms are highly effective at preventing pregnancy.
Condoms can also offer you protection from catching Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) by preventing you from coming into contact with infected bodily fluids.
Lots of people use condoms as well as another method of contraception at the same time (for example, the contraceptive pill) to double their protection. However, you should not use two condoms at the same time (see below).
If you're planning to having sex, then it's a good idea to carry a couple of condoms with you, whether you are a boy or a girl. It's your responsibility to protect yourself from STIs and unplanned pregnancy, so don't rely on whoever you've chosen to have sex with to have some - you'd be in quite a dilemma if you were just about to have sex and then realised that neither of you had any condoms!
It’s a good idea to learn how to use a condom before you have sex. You can practise how to put a condom on in any young people’s clinic or at some youth clubs. Also it can help to think about how you will discuss using condoms with your partner. It can be embarrassing at first but they might be thinking about the same thing!
Using condoms
To use condoms effectively, there are some things you should be a aware of:
- Learn how to put a condom on properly. Practice putting one on when you have a chance (i.e. before you find yourself in a sexual situation). You're ready to put on a condom when your penis is fully erect. Take care not to damage the condom when taking it out of it's packet (that means don't use your teeth to rip the wrapper open!) and make sure it's the right way up - they come in a rolled up state and won't unroll unless it's the right way up. If the condom has a tip at the end to catch fluids, then pinch the tip to prevent air being trapped inside before unrolling the condom fully over the penis. Trapped air in a condom can cause it to burst and break.
- Put on a condom before contact. Before there is any intimate contact between you and your partner's bodies, put the condom on, as fluids released by a man's penis very early on during a sexual encounter can still cause pregnancy and transmit STIs.
- Never use two condoms at the same time. Using two condoms at the same time doesn't give you double protection as you might expect. The friction caused by the two rubber condoms rubbing together will cause them both to break and make them useless. You also shouldn't use male and female condoms together - choose one form or the other.
- Never use the same condom twice. Use a new condom every time you have sex. After the man ejaculates (or has 'cum' as it's also known as), you need to stop having sex and remove the condom or it can burst if you carry on. If you choose to continue having sex afterwards, use a new condom.
- Only use water-based lubricants with condoms. You might choose to use a sexual lubricant while using condoms to make sex easier and reduce friction. You should only use a water-based lubricant such as KY Jelly with condoms. Never use an oil-based product like Vaseline or baby oil with a condom, because they will damage the rubber and cause it to break, making it useless.
- Don't use a condom you've been carrying for ages. The quality of the condom will degrade over time and will make it less effective and more likely to break. Always make sure you are using fresh condoms. Most packets of condoms will have a date printed on them that will tell you when it's safe to use by.
- Dispose of a condom properly: When done with a condom, wrap it in a tissue and throw it in the bin. Don't flush it down the toilet unless you want a blocked toilet!
Where to get condoms
You can get condoms from many places.
- Family planning and young people's sexual health clinics often give out condoms for free.
- You can buy condoms from your local pharmacy.
- Supermarkets with a pharmacy section.
- Dispenser machines in some male toilets.
- Online from sites such as boots.com or your supermarket's website.
Also see:
- Ku19 Clinics
Visit your nearest young person's sexual health clinic for advice and free condoms.