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Condoms

They are commonly made out of latex, and are often called rubbers. They can also be made out of plastic or natural membranes. A condom looks like a long, thin, deflated balloon.

Types Of Condoms

Natural membrane condoms (skin condoms) are slightly less effective at preventing pregnancy and more expensive than latex condoms. However, they may help if either partner is sensitive to latex.

Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) can be transmitted through a skin condom, so skin condoms are only helpful in preventing pregnancy.

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If allergy to condom use seems to be a problem, check to see if it's actually the latex that's causing the allergic reaction and not the spermicidal. Some people are allergic to the spermicidal Nonoxynol-9. (Test this by using a non-lubricated condom or a condom with a non-spermicidal lubricant). If the allergic reaction persists, you may indeed be allergic to latex, although this allergy is less common than an allergy to spermicidal. A better alternative to using skin condoms may be to use polyurethane condoms, since these prevent infection as well as pregnancy.

Advantages and effective use of condoms

Condoms are safe, and they are effective at preventing both infection and pregnancy when used with each act of sex.

Condoms can make sex less messy. After a man comes, his semen stays inside the condom.

Putting on the condom can be a fun, erotic experience if your partner puts the condom on your penis, or you put it on your partner's penis.

If you use a water-based lubricant such as Astroglide, KY Jelly or KY plus Nonoxynol-9, it may decrease the chance of your condom breaking.

Hold the rim of the condom onto the penis during withdrawals.

Disadvantages of using Condoms

Unless the partner puts it on as a part of foreplay, the condom interrupts sex.

When putting the condom on the penis you must avoid tearing the condom or putting a hole in it with fingernails, a ring, or anything sharp. This includes anything sharp in the mouth.

Some men cannot maintain an erection with a condom on, though this is not common.

The man must pull out soon after ejaculation. If he becomes soft, the condom can fall off and be left in the vagina or anus without the couple knowing that this has happened.

Some people are sensitive or allergic to latex or find the smell very unpleasant.

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