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Condom Frequently Asked
Questions
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 What is a condom?
A condom is a sheath made of latex, synthetic rubber or animal
material ("lambskin") that fits over an erect penis.
Condoms come in different sizes, shapes and
thickness. Many condoms are lubricated and some come with
spermicide. Spermicide is a special chemical that kills sperm.
Condoms can be textured, colored or scented.
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How does a condom work?
A condom stops a man’s sperm from
entering a woman’s vagina. A woman cannot get pregnant if sperm
does not meet the egg.
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How effective is a condom?
A condom is 88–98% effective. That
means between 2 and 12 women out of every 100 whose partners use
condoms will become pregnant.
Condoms are the best protection against
sexually transmitted diseases (STD). If you are concerned about
infections, use a condom every time you have sex to protect
yourself from STD.
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How do I use a condom?
How to use a condom:
Use a new condom every time you have sex.
Put on the condom as soon as the penis is
hard, before genital contact.
Pinch the tip of the condom to squeeze out the
air and to leave room in the condom to catch the semen.
Unroll the condom all the way down to the base
of the penis.
Right after ejaculating ("coming"), hold the
rim of the condom around the base of the penis while pulling
out.
Put used condoms in the garbage. Do
not flush them down the toilet!
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How do I prevent a condom
from breaking?
Check the expiration date on the package. If
the date has passed, do not use the condom.
Use a lubricated condom.
Use extra lubricants such as contraceptive
foam, KY® jelly or water. Do not use oils, Vaseline® or hand
cream. Oils and oil-based products can make the condom break.
Handle the condom gently. Watch out for
fingernails!
Keep condoms away from heat and sunlight. Do
not keep condoms in your wallet.
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What are the advantages of
condoms?
Condoms give the greatest protection against STD.
Condoms let men and women share the
responsibility for birth control. Both partners can buy and
carry condoms.
Condoms are easy to get. You can buy condoms
in drugstores or grocery stores, and even from vending machines
in some public washrooms.
Condoms offer extra protection when used with
other birth control methods, such as spermicidal foam, the birth
control pill, a diaphragm or an IUD. They are a good back up
method when you miss a pill, forget your diaphragm or have other
concerns about birth control.
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What are the disadvantages
of condoms?
You have to be very responsible and
motivated to use condoms every time you have sex.
You have to stop to put on a condom before
intercourse.
A condom might dull the sensation for either
partner. You can help this by using an extra water-based
lubricant inside and outside the condom.
A few people are allergic to latex (2 to 4%).
Lambskin condoms are not recommended – they
provide little protection against STDs. |
