Recently, a urologist and pelvic surgeon Dr. Rena Malik makes accessible YouTube content with the goal of helping people have a healthier sex life. In the video, she breaks down some of the most pervasive myths and misconceptions surrounding condoms, and explains everything you need to know in order to make an informed choice about contraception in order to prevent unwanted pregnancy and STDs. Condoms are "unreliable" "When used correctly, condoms are 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases," says Malik. "However if you are not using it correctly, it could break, reducing the efficacy to 92 percent." She explains that you should always check the expiration date on a condom wrapper before using it, and clarifies that condoms...
If you’ve had sex without a condom or a sexual experience where the condom broke, try not to panic.Things happen, and you’re far from the only person to go through either of these experiences.What you do need to remember, though, is that there are a few risks associated with these sexual events.But there are plenty of steps you can take to address those risks so that you remain protected and sexually healthy. Immediately afterIf you notice that the condom broke, stop any sexual activity and move away from your partner.If you’ve had sex without a condom, remember that there are a few things you can do immediately to help.Use the bathroomFirst, head to the bathroom to remove lingering fluids from...
Expiration and effectivenessCondoms do expire and using one that’s past its expiry date can greatly reduce condom effectiveness.Expired condoms are often drier and weaker, so they’re more likely to break during intercourse. This puts you and your partner at risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unwanted pregnancy.Male condoms that haven’t expired are about 98 percent effective if you use them perfectly every time you have sex. No one is perfect, though, so male condoms that haven’t expired are actually about 85 percent effective. These figures will drop drastically if the condom’s expired.The average shelf life of a condom is three to five years, depending on the manufacturer and how it’s stored. Read on to learn more about why they...
What is a female condom? The female condom is a pouch made of polyurethane or latex that fits inside the vagina. It is a barrier method of birth control. How does it work? The female condom has a flexible ring at the closed end of the pouch, with a slightly larger ring at the open end. The smaller ring at the closed end keeps the female condom in place, whereas the larger ring rests outside the vagina. The female condom keeps the vagina and cervix from coming in contact with the skin of the penis or with secretions from the penis. How effective is a female condom? The typical use of female condoms, which is the average way most people use them, has a failure rate...
Do I need to use a condom for oral or anal sex? Yes, if you want to be protected against STIs. Sexually transmitted infections, including HIV, syphilis, herpes, gonorrhoea, HPV, trichomoniasis, and chlamydia, can all be passed on during oral sex (10). This is why it's recommended to protect yourself and your partner by using condoms (or dental dams) during oral sexual activity. Flavored condoms are available for those who don’t enjoy the taste of latex. Meanwhile, a US study found that when condoms were used for anal sex with an HIV-positive partner, they were 70% effective in preventing transmission of the virus (11). Using a personal lubricant can also make anal sex safer. Using a silicone or water-based lubricant decreases the chances...
