The male condom is a latex sheath that is rolled over the penis to prevent secretions including semen from entering the vagina. A condom should be used in combination with spermicide. Also comes in non-latex.
Benefits
- Condoms are 97% effective
- Protect against most STIs if used consistently and correctly.
- Condoms are the only contraception that can prevent STIs.
- Relatively Inexpensive ($7 – 9 for a box of 12)
Disadvantages
- Some guys and girls complain about lack of sensitivity.
- The condom may slip off during sex. Rough handling may cause the condom to break.
- Tip: To increase sensitivity apply some water-soluble lubricant (saliva, KY jelly) inside the tip of the condom before putting it on.
Where to find them
- Washrooms, supermarkets, drug stores, convenience stores, or free at a family planning centres.
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Spermicides contain a chemical called nonoxynol-9.
It comes in the form of cream (only for use with diaphragms), gel, foam, film, or suppository. By inserting spermicide in the vagina, in front of the cervix, it destroys sperm on contact. By themselves, spermicides are not a very effective method of birth control. For this reason, they should be used with another form of contraception like condoms.
Benefits
- protects against pregnancy and bacterial infections as well as pelvic inflammatory disease.
- Spermicides can also help protect against some STIs, when used with a condom.
Disadvantages
- Can be messy.
- It's only effective for approx.1 hour, so you have to insert it right before sex.
- May irritate the entrance of the vagina or the tip of the penis.
- Using a spermicide alone will increase your risk of HIV transmission, even though it protects against some other STIs.
- The failure rate of spermicides used alone is between 6% (perfect use) and 21% (typical use).
- Some spermicides have a bad odour or taste.
- When buying spermicide, make sure that it's nonoxynol-9. There are a lot of other hygiene-type products that look very similar, and are pretty easy to confuse with spermicide (i.e. regular lubricant)
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