Condoms are one of the most effective contraceptive options to help prevent pregnancy and are practical to use. Condoms are usually made of rubber, plastic, or animal skin.

How condoms work?

Condoms work as a physical barrier between the penis and vagina, or penis and anus. Condoms can be placed in either the penis or vagina, depending on the type of condom.

Condoms can prevent sperm from entering the female reproductive tract or direct skin contact with sexual partners. Condoms also catch sperm that is expelled during ejaculation through a small opening that is designed to catch semen.

Things that can reduce condom effectiveness

Despite being a safe contraceptive, some things can reduce the effectiveness of condom protection, including:

Penile penetration in the vaginal area before the condom is applied

Penile penetration in the vaginal area before the condom is applied can affect the effectiveness of condom protection and increase the risk of pregnancy. This is due to the possibility of direct contact between sperm and the female reproductive tract before the use of a condom as a physical barrier.

Torn condoms

When a condom tears or breaks, its effectiveness in preventing pregnancy and protecting against sexually transmitted diseases can be affected. A torn or ripped condom can cause sperm to seep out, resulting in direct contact between the genitals and the partner's genitals.

Generally, a torn or damaged condom can be seen by the eye. However, very small tears caused by incorrect storage, exposure to sunlight, and folded condoms may be invisible and missed by the eye.

Condom damaged by sharp nails, teeth, or jewelry

Avoiding biting the packaging to open a condom packet is recommended for a reason. Your sharp teeth might scratch the condom and result in tiny tears, known as microtears, which are not visible to the naked eye.

Use of oil-based lubricants

Oil-based lubricants such as lotion, baby oil, or petroleum jelly can cause condoms to become weak, brittle, and have reduced elasticity. This can increase the risk of condom tears or leakage, which reduces the effectiveness in preventing pregnancy and protecting against sexually transmitted diseases.

It is recommended to use water-based or silicone-based lubricants that are designed for latex or polyisoprene condoms.

Use of medications that may affect condoms

The use of some medications, such as creams, suppositories, and other types of drugs, can affect the effectiveness of latex and polyisoprene condoms. Some of these medications may contain ingredients that can damage the condom or impair its performance.

If you are using topical medications or suppositories for certain medical conditions, it is very important to read the instructions for use and consult your healthcare professional.

Concerns about pregnancy prevention and protection are normal. Apart from using condoms, you can also use other alternative contraceptives such as birth control pills, IUDs, injectable birth control, or birth control implants. Discuss with your doctor which type of birth control is suitable for you to use in addition to condoms.

If you need medical advice or consultation, you can either visit a doctor or make use of the consultation features that are available in the Ai Care application by downloading the Ai Care application from the App Store or Play Store.

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