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23 November, 2009

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Contraception - condoms for men

Condoms are an effective form of barrier contraception. They are the most effective way to both reduce your risk of contracting a sexually transmissible infection (STI) and avoid getting your female partner pregnant during sex. Used properly, condoms prevent your partner’s body fluids (blood, semen or vaginal fluids) from entering your body and vice versa. They also help reduce the risk of transmission of herpes and warts.

Condoms are recommended every time you have vaginal, anal and oral sex. Each condom should be used once only for each activity. If your condom breaks, you will need to consider using emergency contraception and getting tested for STIs.

Choosing and caring for condoms
Condoms come in different sizes, so choose the right size for you. Always use condoms that meet Australian and international standards:

Make sure the use-by date on the packet is current.
Keep condoms in a cool, dry place as they can be affected by heat.
Properly stored, condoms have a life of about five years.

Putting the condom on
When using condoms:

Open the packet carefully, avoiding condom tears with jewellery, teeth or fingernails.
Check which way the condom unrolls but do not unroll it.
Place the condom against the tip of the penis and gently unroll it down to the base of the penis.

The condom should be placed on the erect penis before it comes into contact with the vagina, mouth or anus. If you don’t get the condom on properly the first time, throw it away and start again. Use each condom only once.

Troubleshooting
Possible problems include:

The condom rolls up during sex – check the condom and roll it back to the base of the penis. It may help to use water based lubricant.
The condom slides off during sex – pull out and use a new condom. Make sure you have the right condom fit.

Water based lubricants help prevent condom breakage
Water based lubricants help reduce friction, which can lead to condom breakage. Water based lube should be used for all anal sex. Examples of water based lubricants include:

Wet Stuff
KY
Glyde
Silk.

Never use oil based lubricants
Oil based lubricants – such as baby oil, massage oil, Vaseline and petroleum jelly – can cause the condom to become weakened and break. If condoms break during sex, you could be at risk of pregnancy or contracting an STI.

After sex
Withdraw the penis immediately after ejaculation. Hold the rim of the condom to prevent spillage while withdrawing the penis. Slip the condom off carefully and put it in the bin. Do not flush the condom down the toilet.

What to do if the condom breaks
If the condom breaks, you may need to speak to your doctor or sexual health service about:

A check-up for sexually transmissible infections.
Emergency contraception, commonly known as the ‘morning after’ pill, if condoms are your only form of contraception. Emergency contraception is available with or without a doctor’s prescription from pharmacists.
If you are a man who has had sex with a male partner, post-exposure prophylaxis for HIV (PEP) may be appropriate to reduce the risk of HIV transmission. The PEP Information Line will provide you with details about PEP.

Condoms, dams and oral sex
Sexually transmissible infections (STIs) can also be transmitted during oral sex. To reduce your risk of contracting an STI, it is recommended that condoms be used for oral sex. You can also use dental dams, which are squares of ultra-thin latex that can be placed over the vulva or anal area during oral sex. Another option is to cut an unrolled condom from the edge to its tip to make a latex barrier. You can buy flavoured condoms and dams.

Condoms for men and water based lubricants can be bought from supermarkets, chemists and other outlets. Dams are available through Family Planning Victoria and may be available from selected shops. Latex free condoms are also available from some outlets. Male condoms and lubricant are available free from the Melbourne Sexual Health Centre and female condoms and dams can be supplied on request.

Other safe sex strategies
Strategies to decrease your risk of contracting an STI include:

Have an STI check-up before having sex with a new partner or soon after having unprotected sex with a new partner. Some STIs have no symptoms so if you have caught an infection, early treatment may prevent further complications.
Talk to your partner about safe sex and condom use.
During oral sex, do not get semen or blood in your mouth.
Avoid oral sex if you have mouth ulcers or bleeding gums. Do not brush your teeth immediately before or after oral sex. Do not give your partner oral sex when you have cold sores.
Safe sex includes sexual activity that limits your contact with your partner’s blood, semen and vaginal fluids.

When is unprotected sex possible?
You can consider unprotected sex with a regular partner when:

Both of you are fully tested for STIs and both your results are negative
You and your partner do not have sex with other partners
You are using another type of contraception, such as the pill, to prevent pregnancy.

Where to get help

Melbourne Sexual Health Centre Tel. (03) 9341 6200 or 1800 032 017 or TTY (for the hearing impaired) (03) 9347 8619
Your local doctor
Victoria AIDS Council/Gay Men's Health Centre Tel. (03) 9865 6700 or 1800 134 840
Education and Resource Centre at the Alfred Tel. (03) 9276 6993
The Centre Clinic, St Kilda Tel. (03) 9525 5866
Family Planning Victoria Tel. (03) 9257 0100
Action Centre (for youth 25 years and under) Tel. (03) 9654 4766 or 1800 013 952
The Annexe Sexual Health Clinic Ballarat Tel. (03) 5338 4540
BBV/STI Clinic Bendigo Tel. (03) 5434 4330
Geelong Sexual Health Clinic Tel. (03) 5221 4735
STD Clinic Wodonga Tel. (03) 6051 7535
STD/AIDS Clinic Traralgon Tel. (03) 5173 8111
PEP Information Line Tel. 1800 889 887

Things to remember

Condoms are the most effective way to both reduce your risk of contracting an STI and avoid getting your female partner pregnant during sex.
Condoms must be used correctly to be effective.
Condoms are recommended every time you have vaginal, anal or oral sex.
Each condom should be used once only.

You might also be interested in:
Contraception - choices explained.
Contraception - condoms for women.
Contraception - emergency contraception.
Contraception - injections for men.
Contraception - intrauterine devices.
Contraception - the Billings method.
Contraception - the pill.
Contraception - vasectomy.
Safe sex.
Sexually transmissible infections - overview.

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