Male condom

What the packet says

What is it?

How it works

Male condoms are thin latex or polyurethane sheaths that are worn on the penis. They prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm getting to the womb.

How does this compare?

Frequency

During intercourse
Daily
Monthly
1 - 3 Months
1 - 3 Years
3 - 5 Years
Permanent

Similar to

Female condom

Clinical effectiveness

98% if used perfectly

What does this mean?

Contains hormones

What does this mean?

What you said

These stats are based on 17 reviews

Side Effects

After Effects

Moods & Emotions

Periods

Body Weight

Sex Drive

Reviewer data

Time Taken

Age of Reviewers

Reviewers had children

Reviewers currently using

Detailed information

How to get started

The trusty condom is the only type of contraception that stops pregnancy and protects against STI’s, and you only need to use them when you have sex – so no need for advanced preparation or doctors appointments.
Anyone can buy or get hold of condoms easily – either buy them online or from shops and pharmacies, or in the UK you can get free condoms from contraception clinics, sexual health clinics and some GP surgeries.
It may sound obvious, but you need to use a different condom every time you have sex.
To use a condom, open the condom out of the packet, making sure you don’t tear it with your nails or jewelry. Place it over the tip of an erect penis and squeeze the air out of the teat if there is one at the end.
If it won’t roll down the penis, you’ve probably got it the wrong way round. Take it off, throw it away and start again with a new one.
After sex, hold the condom at the base of the penis when you withdraw – and remove it from the penis, being careful not to spill any sperm.
Don’t throw condoms away in the toilet. Think of Blue Planet and put it in the bin.

How to stop

Stopping using condoms is easy, you just don’t put one on a penis when you have sex.
In general condoms have little to no after effects, but check out our survey results to see what others have experienced.

Things that can go wrong

The most common thing that can go wrong is a condom breaks, splits, or slips off during sex. If this happens, you may need to use emergency contraception. If it keeps happening, you may not be putting condoms on correctly (leaving some air in there) or you may need to use a bigger condom size. There are hundreds of types, brands and sizes of condom so it’s worth trying out a few to find one that works for you and your partner.
Occasionally, condoms can fall off and get lost inside a women’s vagina during sex. Don’t panic, just reach your fingers inside your vagina and try to pull it out. If you can’t feel it, it’s probably lodged at the top of your vaginal canal near your cervix. Sometimes squatting or propping one foot up on a higher surface, can help you reach your cervix. If you can’t get it out after a few hours, head to your local A&E or clinic and they can remove it for you.
People who are allergic or sensitive to latex shouldn’t use condoms made from latex.
Quite a lot of things can stop condoms being effective – these include:
- If a penis touches the vaginal area before the condom is put on. Make sure you don’t get ahead of yourself– sperm can come out of the penis before a man has ejaculated.
- Condoms being past their use by date – don’t use them if they’re out of date
- Condoms stored in intense heat or cold.
- Condoms used with oil based products or lubricant (like moisturiser, lotion, Vaseline).
- Condoms used with medication for things like thrush (pessaries etc).

Reviews

21/08/2019

Male condom

Great hormone-free contraception, also protects against STDs.
The bad thing is when it rips, which I personally experienc…

20/08/2019

Male condom

I was in a hurry so ticked “Special Delivery” by mistake. The next day, on an uneventful Sunday afternoon in our …

20/08/2019

Male condom

So nice to not have my hormones messed with and get into a regular cycle. I have had some skin issues around my vulva but it is…

16/07/2019

Male condom

No hormones, easy to use. The best condoms I’ve used, both for me (no irritation, and gently lubricated) and my partner (…

19/06/2019

Male condom

Can’t use hormones and this’s the best way to stay protected!I love to used hormonal contraceptives because then I get my w…

19/06/2019

Male condom

At first using a condom felt fine because I didn’t know any different. But as soon as I felt I had taken my pill enough and f…

19/06/2019

Male condom

After years on hormones it was time for a break. Use of condoms combined with a period tracking app has worked out great. No br…

11/06/2019

Male condom

Condoms work really well for myself and my partner, they’re easy to use and un like hormonal contraceptives you don’t have …

25/04/2019

Male condom

As someone who has found it difficult to get on with contraceptive medicines in the past, for me, condoms have always been a sa…