Condoms might help in stopping being pregnant and defending in opposition to sexually transmitted infections. There are numerous kinds of condoms you and your accomplice can strive.
In case you have an lively intercourse life, you should be utilizing a condom as a protecting barrier. You simply use it each time you may have intercourse as a way to get safety in opposition to undesirable being pregnant in addition to sexually transmitted infections. Nonetheless, you don’t must depend on simply latex condoms. Whereas feminine condoms and flavoured ones will need to have piqued your curiosity, there are many choices which you can strive. Many extra kinds of condoms can be utilized throughout sexual actions. Nonetheless, not all of them are efficient, and a few of them are meant for use throughout oral intercourse solely. Check out the alternatives and decide the one which’s greatest for you and your accomplice.
What are condoms?
They’re a type of barrier contraception used to forestall being pregnant and defend in opposition to sexually transmitted infections throughout sexual activity. “They work by making a bodily barrier that stops sperm from getting into the vagina and reaching an egg, and in addition scale back the chance of transmission of infections similar to HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea,” explains gynaecologist and IVF skilled Dr Shobha Gupta.
They’ll additionally defend individuals in opposition to illnesses, together with Zika and Ebola viruses, that may get transmitted by intercourse, based on the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Roughly, 98 p.c of ladies whose sexual companions use male condoms appropriately throughout intercourse over one yr will probably be shielded from unplanned being pregnant, as per the World Well being Group.
What are the kinds of condoms?
Listed here are some widespread kinds of condoms that you need to use throughout intercourse:
1. Latex condoms
Created from pure rubber latex, these are probably the most widespread kinds of condoms. A 2004 examine printed within the Contraception journal confirmed that the male latex condoms not often broke or slipped off throughout intercourse. Researchers additionally discovered that this condom supplied excessive contraceptive efficacy, particularly when used often, and the chance of semen leaking from it was very low.
2. Polyurethane condoms
Created from a skinny, sturdy plastic materials, these condoms are a very good different for individuals with latex allergic reactions. “The exterior condom, which is proof against water, and grease, nonetheless offers efficient safety in opposition to being pregnant and STIs,” says the skilled.
3. Polyisoprene condoms
These are constructed from artificial rubber and are one other latex-free possibility. They don’t have the allergy-triggering proteins which are present in latex condoms, however provide comparable safety and luxury because the latter. If you wish to make your intercourse life safer, and are allergic to latex, go for polyisoprene condoms.
4. Feminine condoms
Inserted into the vagina, feminine condoms present barrier safety from being pregnant and STIs and can be utilized by ladies preferring to not depend on male condoms. A 2020 examine printed in BMC Public Well being confirmed that the usage of feminine together with male condoms was more practical than use of solely male condoms in stopping STIs.
5. Spermicide-coated condoms
These are latex or polyurethane condoms coated with spermicide, which normally is available in a jelly kind. “It provides additional being pregnant prevention by killing sperm earlier than they’ll attain the egg, however they might result in irritation in some customers,” says the skilled.
6. Flavoured condoms
While you consider fashionable kinds of condoms, you should be visualising the flavoured ones. “These are designed for oral intercourse, typically constructed from latex, and are available in numerous flavours to masks the style of latex,” says the skilled. It might probably make oral intercourse extra enjoyable for {couples}.
7. Textured condoms (ribbed or studded)
“These kind of condoms have added texture, similar to ribs or studs, to reinforce sensation for each the companions,” says the skilled. It might probably stimulate the nerves within the vagina higher than non-textured condoms, and so, they might improve pleasure.
8. Extremely-thin condoms
Created from skinny latex, these condoms are designed to supply a extra pure feeling throughout intercourse. It nearly seems like skin-on-skin whereas having intercourse. “It nonetheless provides the identical degree of safety as commonplace kinds of condoms,” says Dr Gupta.
9. Thick or extra-strength condoms
These condoms are constructed from thick latex, offering additional sturdiness and decreasing the chance of breakage, particularly throughout anal intercourse. A 2022 examine printed in Translational Andrology And Urology journal confirmed that such kinds of condoms bodily protect and prolong the time of penile erection, and overcome untimely ejaculation to enhance the standard of intercourse.
10. Glow-in-the-dark condoms
Coated with a luminescent layer, all these condoms glow at the hours of darkness. “Additionally they add a enjoyable factor to sexual exercise, whereas nonetheless being as efficient as commonplace kinds of condoms,” says the skilled. The glowing agent is definitely surrounded by latex, so it makes intercourse safer.
11. Non-lubricated condoms
These kind of condoms don’t have any lubricant and are sometimes utilized by individuals who choose to make use of their very own lubrication. Some use coconut oil as a pure lubricant throughout intercourse. Non-lubricated condoms might also be utilized by those that have sensitivities to the lubricants sometimes utilized in condoms.
12. Lubricated condoms
Coated with a lubricant to cut back friction, all these condoms enhance consolation throughout intercourse and assist stop breakage. They may also be simpler to placed on than the non-lubricated kinds of condoms. You may as well use them throughout anal intercourse.
13. Delicate condoms
These are skinny condoms designed to extend sensitivity and improve pleasure. “These kind of condoms can keep the identical degree of safety,” says the skilled. These condoms is probably not as sturdy as common kinds of condoms because of the thinner materials, resulting in the next threat of breakage.
14. Animal-skin condoms
Created from lambskin, all these condoms provide pure sensation however don’t defend in opposition to STIs, making them unsuitable for these involved about an infection prevention. “They’re additionally sometimes dearer and usually are not a dependable possibility for contraception,” says the skilled.
15. Specialty condoms like warming or cooling
These kind of condoms comprise lubricants that create warming or cooling sensations to reinforce pleasure whereas having intercourse. “These condoms could comprise lubricants that trigger irritation or allergic reactions in some people, particularly in delicate areas,” says the skilled.
There are numerous kinds of condoms, however in terms of effectiveness, male ones which are worn on the penis present safety throughout intercourse.
Associated FAQs
Which sort of condoms is greatest?
Latex condoms are thought of the most secure and only possibility for stopping being pregnant when used appropriately. They not solely provide dependable safety in opposition to being pregnant, but in addition scale back the chance of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), making them a complete methodology of safety.
Do condoms expire?
Condoms normally have a shelf life of 1 to 5 years. Don’t use condoms after the expiration date, which is talked about on the bundle, as a result of they won’t work properly and never assist in stopping sexually transmitted infections and being pregnant.
Why do condoms break?
Condoms could get broken whereas utilizing if they do not match correctly. Utilizing a lubricant with oil on a latex condom can have an effect on its effectiveness. Additionally, not utilizing any lubricant can injury condoms, because it creates extra friction throughout intercourse.