Factsheet
The Male Condom
Date 30 January 2009
Using a Condom |
BASIC FACTS |
WHAT IS THE MALE CONDOM?
The male condom is a tube of fine latex rubber which is closed at one end. It is worn on an erect (stiff) penis during sex, to prevent pregnancy. There are also non-latex male condoms made from a material called polyurethane. The male condom is usually just called a 'condom'. Condoms also help to prevent sexually transmissible infections (STIs), including HIV.
HOW DOES A CONDOM WORK?
It catches the semen (cum) when the man ejaculates. Then the sperm in the semen cannot travel up to meet an egg and start a pregnancy.
HOW WELL DOES IT WORK?
Condoms can work very well if they are used correctly every time. They are between 85% and 98% effective, depending how they are used.
WHO CAN USE A CONDOM?
Most men can use a condom.
HOW DO YOU USE A CONDOM?
- Carefully tear open the little packet. The condom will be rolled up. It will look like a circle of loose fine rubber with a thick rim, (which is the rolled up condom).
- Make sure the rim is rolled towards the centre on the side facing you.
- Squeeze the centre where the condom is loose, with your thumb and first two fingers. This makes space to catch the semen.
- While still holding it, put the rolled up condom on the head of the erect penis.
- With your other hand roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis.
- Put some lubricant on the condom.
- After sex, before the penis becomes soft, hold on to the condom at the base of the penis and carefully pull away from your partner.
- Take off the condom and tie a knot in the open end to keep the semen inside the condom.
- Wrap the condom in tissues or a plastic or paper bag, and put it in a rubbish bin, not in the toilet.
ARE THERE ANY SIDE EFFECTS?
There are no side effects, unless you are allergic to latex rubber or to the lubricant. This is very rare.
HOW DO YOU GET CONDOMS?
You can buy latex condoms from Family Planning clinics, pharmacies, sexual health clinics, vending machines, supermarkets and by mail order. Non-latex condoms are available at most large supermarkets and pharmacies.
THINGS TO REMEMBER
A condom should be used ONE TIME ONLY.
Condoms can perish so keep them in a cool place and use them before the expiry date, otherwise they may break. Oil based lubricants can also make latex condoms break. Always use water based lubricant such as Wet Stuff with latex condoms.
If you forget to use a condom, or you think it has not worked e.g. it breaks or slips off during sex, you can buy the emergency contraceptive pill (ECP) from a pharmacy. A woman can take the ECP within 120 hours after unprotected sex, to reduce the chance of pregnancy.
For further information
- Contact the Healthline on 1300 658 886.
