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Choosing a contraception that’s right for u www.sexualityandu.ca Femalecondom sexualityandu.ca What is it? • Soft, disposable, polyurethane sheath • Available in drugstores without a prescription How does it work? • Placed in the vagina before intercourse • Lines the vagina completely, preventing direct contact between the penis and the vagina and preventing the exchange of body fluids • Sperm is trapped in the condom, which is thrown away after intercourse • A new condom should be used for each repeated act of intercourse Failure rate: 210 per 1000 women per year Femalecondom sexualityandu.ca What are the advantages? 1. Available widely without a prescription 2. No daily contraceptive routine or continued use required 3. Woman remains in charge of placement and use 4. Protects against some STIs Femalecondom sexualityandu.ca What are the disadvantages? 1. Must be available at time of intercourse 2. Requires proper insertion technique 3. Flexible inner ring may cause discomfort for some 4. More expensive than the male condom and not available in all stores 5. Makes a noise during intercourse 6. May slip or break during intercourse 7. May be considered messy by some Malebarriermethods sexualityandu.ca Male Condom What is it? • A soft disposable sheath • Available in various shapes, sizes, thicknesses, colours and flavours • Most are latex, but non-latex condoms are also available in polyurethane, silicone, and lambskin How does it work? • Fits over the erect penis • Acts as a physical barrier preventing direct genital contact and the exchange of genital fluids, so the sperm does not enter the uterus and fertilize the egg • A new condom is used for each repeated act of intercourse Failure rate: 150 per 1000 women per year Malebarriermethods sexualityandu.ca What are the advantages? 1. Available widely without a prescription 2. Inexpensive 3. Latex condoms protect against STIs 4. Allows the male partner to assume some responsibility for birth control 5. Both partners can participate in their use 6. May help the wearer avoid premature ejaculation Malebarriermethods sexualityandu.ca What are the disadvantages? 1. Must be available at time of intercourse 2. May slip or break during intercourse 3. Must be stored and handled properly 4. People with latex allergies cannot use latex condoms, but may be able to use non-latex condoms 5. May reduce sensitivity for either partner 6. May interfere with the maintenance of an erection 7. May reduce spontaneity 8. Lambskin condoms do not protect against STIs STIprevention sexualityandu.ca Dental dams and gloves A dental dam is a small piece of latex similar to the material used for latex condoms. • It can be used during oral sex. The dental dam is stretched across a woman’s vagina to prevent the exchange of bodily fluids. • It can also be used in other activities where a barrier is desired. • Latex surgical gloves can also be used in activities where a barrier is desired. General tips • When using latex dental dams, gloves, or condoms, apply only waterbased lubricants. They are available at drugstores. • Use new dental dams, gloves, or condoms for each partner. • Do not re-use latex barriers or turn them over and use the other side. STIprevention sexualityandu.ca Cutting a condom to make a dental dam 1 • When a dental dam is not available, a latex condom can be cut to create a latex barrier. 1. Unroll a new condom. 2. Using scissors, cut off both ends of the condom, removing the closed tip and the round loop at the base. 3. Cut the condom lengthwise so that it opens up into a rectangle. 2 • If you are going to use the barrier for oral sex, you may wish to select a condom without spermicide or lubrication. A flavoured condom may be a good choice. 3 sexualityandu.ca STIprevention Method STI protection Oral contraceptives no Transdermal patch no Vaginal Ring no Injectable contraceptive no Intrauterine system (IUS) no Intrauterine device (IUD) no Female sterilization no Female condom yes* Diaphragm and cervical cap limited Sponge and spermicides limited Male condom Male sterilization yes with latex condoms* no * Remember that no method of protection from STIs is perfect. Some STIs can be passed through skin-to-skin contact.