Myths and facts about... Male Condoms

Myth: Complications with method

Some clients who seek family planning incorrectly believe that male condoms can easily get lost in a woman’s vagina or uterus and can travel through a woman’s body, requiring surgery to get the condom out.

Fact:

Studies indicate that a condom rarely slips off completely during intercourse. On average, about 2% of condoms break or slip off completely during sex, primarily because they are used incorrectly. Slippage during withdrawal can be minimized if the rim of the condom is held against the base of the penis during withdrawal after ejaculation. However, if a condom does slip, it will go no further than the woman’s vagina, where it can be easily retrieved, with no need for surgery. If a man notices a break or slip, he should tell his partner so that she can use emergency contraceptive pills if she wants.

Myth: Effectiveness

Some men and women who seek family planning do not want to use male condoms because they incorrectly believe that condoms are not effective in preventing pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.

Fact:

The male condom is a sheath, or covering, that fits over a man’s erect penis. It works by forming a barrier that keeps sperm out of the vagina, preventing pregnancy. It also keeps infections that are in semen, on the penis, or in the vagina from infecting the other partner. It is usually made of very thin latex rubber, although a minority are made of either animal tissue or polyurethane (plastic).

Condoms are the only contraceptive method that can protect against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV transmission, when used for vaginal, oral, or anal sex. In order for condoms to be most effective they must be used correctly and consistently (with every act of sex). The risk of pregnancy or contracting sexually transmitted infections is greatest when condoms are not used correctly with every act of sex.

When used correctly and consistently, condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. This means that when used consistently and correctly, about 2 of every 100 women whose partners use condoms become pregnant over the first year of use.

Condoms do not have holes that HIV can pass through. In fact, when used consistently and correctly, condom use prevents 80% to 95% of HIV transmission that would have occurred without condoms. Plastic condoms are expected to provide the same protection as latex condoms, but they have not been studied thoroughly. Condoms made from animal membrane DO NOT protect against HIV and other STIs.

On average, about 2% of condoms break or slip off completely during sex, primarily because they are used incorrectly. Used properly, condoms seldom break.

Lubrication helps avoid condom breakage. There are three ways to provide lubrication—natural vaginal secretions, adding a lubricant, or using condoms packaged with lubricant on them. Sometimes lubricants made of glycerine or silicone, which are safe to use with latex condoms, are available. Clean water and saliva also can be used for lubrication. Do not use products made with oil as they can damage latex condoms.

Myth: Health risks and side effects

Some people incorrectly believe that using male condoms can cause side effects or health risks such as illness, infection, disease, or cancer in men and women.

Fact:

There are no known serious short or long term side effects associated with the use of condoms. When a condom is used, ejaculation occurs as normal, so there is no sperm “back up.” There is no evidence that condoms cause cancer, either in men or women. In fact, the use of condoms may help protect against conditions caused by STIs including recurring pelvic inflammatory disease, cervical cancer, and infertility.

It is possible that a person may experience mild irritation in or around the vagina or penis or mild allergic reaction to a condom (itching, redness, rash, and/or swelling of genitals, groin, or thighs during or after condom use). Severe allergic reactions involve hives or rash over much of the body, dizziness, difficulty breathing, or loss of consciousness after coming in contact with latex. Both men and women can be allergic to latex and latex condoms. Allergy to latex is uncommon in the general population, and reports of mild allergic reactions to condoms are very rare. Severe allergic reactions to condoms are extremely rare.

Plastic condoms made of synthetic materials offer an alternative for individuals who are allergic or sensitive to latex. Plastic condoms are expected to provide the same protection as latex condoms, but they have not been studied as thoroughly. The United States Food and Drug Administration recommends that condoms made of plastic be used for protection from STIs, including HIV, only if a person cannot use latex condoms. Condoms made of animal skin such as lambskin (also called natural skin condoms) are not effective for preventing STIs, including HIV, however.

Myth: Premature ejaculation

Some men and women incorrectly believe that male condoms constrict an erect penis, causing premature ejaculation.

Fact:

Using a male condom does not cause premature ejaculation. On the contrary, condoms can help users maintain an erection longer and prevent premature ejaculation, especially when the placement of the condom on the penis is a routine part of sexual foreplay.

Myth: Sexual Desire and sexual pleasure

Some couples incorrectly believe that condom use decreases a man’s libido and can cause impotence or that condoms reduce or interfere with sexual pleasure.

Fact:

There is no evidence to suggest that condom use causes impotence. Impotence has many causes. Some causes are physical, some are emotional. Condoms themselves do not cause impotence. A few men may have problems keeping an erection when using condoms, however. Other men, especially older men, may have difficulty keeping an erection because condoms can dull the sensation of having sex. Using more lubrication may help increase sensation for men using condoms.

Some couples become frustrated and lose some of their sexual excitement when they stop to put on a condom. Some men and women complain that the condom dulls sensation. However, many couples learn to enjoy using condoms as part of their sexual foreplay. In fact, many women and men often say they have better sex when they use condoms, because they can focus on their sexual pleasure without the worry about unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

A couple may wish to use either a textured, ultra thin, or transparent condom to increase stimulation. Pleasure may also be increased by lubricating the inside and outside of the condom with water-based lubricants. A drop or two of lubricant on the inside of the condom before it is unrolled can help increase the sensation of sex for some men. Too much lubricant inside, however, can make the condom slip off. Lubricants made of glycerine or silicone are safe to use with latex condoms. Clean water and saliva also can be used for lubrication. Do not use products made with oil as lubricants for latex condoms as they can damage latex.

Myth: Size of penis

Some men and women believe incorrectly that men who have a large penis will not be able to find a male condom that fits them properly.

Fact:

There are many different kinds and brands of condoms that vary in features such as shape, size, color, lubrication, thickness, texture, and whether or not they are coated with spermicide.

Although there are considerable variations between the sizes of individual penises, there is no established market of different sized condoms, even in developed countries. Users should be advised to try different brands to find out which fits best. Condoms of 49mm width are readily available and are the preferred size for a smaller condom. Although there is no “standard” size for larger condoms, some manufacturers produce condoms of 56mm width.