What are male and female condoms? Discuss how both types of condoms work, how to use them, and their advantages and disadvantages

Question

What will be an ideal response?

Answer 1

Responses should consider:
- A male condom is a thin sheath of latex (rubber) or polyurethane (plastic) that is placed over an erect penis prior to intercourse.
- Male condoms offer protection against pregnancy and STIs.
- They work by acting as a barrier to prevent semen from entering the vagina.
- They also prevent contact of skin with mucous membranes and the exchange of genital fluids that can transmit STIs.
- There are four rules for their use:
1. Use latex or polyurethane condoms only.
2. Use lubricated condoms.
3. Use condoms with a reservoir tip (or nipple).
4. Don't use condoms that have expired.
- To use a male condom correctly:
- Open the package carefully.
- Don't test the condom by filling it with air or water.
- The condom should be placed on the erect penis before any contact between the penis and the partner's genital area.
- To be sure which way the condom unrolls, place it over a finger and unroll it slightly.
- Pinch the end of the condom as you unroll it to leave a small amount of empty space at the tip.
- Unroll the condom all the way to the base of the penis.
- Be sure there is adequate lubrication.
- If you are adding lubrication, do not use oil-based products; use only water-based products.
- If it feels as if the condom has broken off or slipped during intercourse, stop and check.
- Advantages of male condoms include:
- They are highly effective way of preventing conception and reducing STIs.
- They are widely available.
- They come with and without lubrication, with and without spermicide.
- They come in sizes, colors, textures.
- Disadvantages include:
- The Catholic Church doesn't approve of their use, except in the case specific circumstances for the prevention of HIV.
- Failure rates are typically due to incorrect use.
- Some say they interrupt or interfere with the flow and romance of making love.
- Some men claim that condoms significantly reduce sensitivity during intercourse or interfere with erection.
- The female condom consists of a tube of thin polyurethane with a flexible ring at each end.
- During intercourse, the female condom stays inside the vagina and the penis moves within it.
- After ejaculation, the condom must be removed by twisting the outside ring to trap semen inside and gently pulling the condom out of the vagina.
- This should be done before the woman stands up to be sure that none of the semen spills out of the condom and into or around the vaginal area.
- Each female condom should be used only once.
- Advantages include:
- Female condoms allow the woman to be in more control of contraception and preventing STIs.
- They allow for greater spontaneity than male condoms because the female condom may be inserted up to eight hours before intercourse.
- If used correctly, it may provide slightly greater protection from STIs than male condoms. This is because the polyurethane material does not degrade with the use of oil-based lubricants, and the shape of the external ring of the condom protects a wider area of skin between the base of the penis and the vulva or anus during intercourse.
- If used correctly and consistently, female condoms are nearly as effective as male condoms.
- Disadvantages include:
- Female condoms cost somewhat more than male condoms, approximately $1 to $2 each.
- The typical-use conception failure rate is slighter higher for female condoms than for male condoms. Errors in use include removing the condom incorrectly, allowing semen to spill out in or near the vagina, or the penis may sometimes be inserted by mistake next to rather than inside the condom.