What is a condom?
The condom (referred to as the "male" condom) is a sheath of thin latex or polyurethane (plastic) that is worn on the penis during sex. They are commonly referred to as rubbers, rain coats, love gloves, jimmies or even sleeves. They come in a variety of styles and including lubricated or non-lubricated.

How do condoms work? - A properly worn "male" condom will collect the semen before, during and after a man ejaculates (cums) preventing the sperm from entering the vagina.

Effectiveness:
Properly used condoms are an effective, inexpensive form of birth control and an effective barrier against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). The average percentage of pregnancies with couples who are inconsistent condom users is about 15% while the average percentage of pregnancies with couples who are perfect condom users is about 2%.

Improperly used condoms or condoms that failed are usually the result of inconsistent or incorrect use and that doesn"t include condoms that break. Recent studies on college students show that the errors of condom use were quite high. Almost half the men surveyed (40%) said they had not left space for ejaculation and 15% had taken the condom off before ejaculation. The average amount of condoms breaking during intercourse averages out to about 2%.

Reasons to use a condom:

1. To prevent unwanted pregnancies.
2. To help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
3. Condoms don"t have any of the medical side effects that other forms of birth control methods might have.
4. They are fun. The come in so many shapes, styles, textures and sizes that you can"t help but have fun with all the choices.
5. Condoms are very easy to get. You can find condoms in every mini market, super market, pharmacy and public bathrooms. You don"t need a prescription to get a condom.
6. Condoms are inexpensive. You don"t have to spend a lot of money to protect yourself or your partner.
7. Condoms are easy to use and take little practice to use properly.
8. You only need to use the condom when you are getting ready to have sex. Many other forms of birth control require you to take them daily or insert them early.

Tips:

• Have condoms ready to use at all times. You don"t want to be the one that has to go out and find a rubber right when things are starting to get hot and heavy.
• Don"t be embarrassed to buy condoms. Buying condoms show that you are responsible and confident. Hold your head high and be proud. The internet is also a great place to purchase condoms. It is discreet and you can spend as much time as you"d like researching all the great varieties available.
• Talk to your partner about sex and using condoms. Talking about sex removes a lot of anxiety and embarrassment and builds a lot of confidence in your decision.
• If you have never used a condom, grab one and practice putting it on. Most all condom packages have instructions with them and you will be surprised how easy they are to use.
• If putting a condom on during the heat of the moment interrupts your passion, try making it part of your foreplay. Having your partner taking an active roll can be very sexy and very seductive.

Facts:

• Condoms offer the best protection for anyone who is sexually active.
  
• Condoms block out bodily fluids that can lead to pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
  
• Condoms are an effective and inexpensive form of birth control
  
• Condoms help to protect fertility by preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections that can cause infertility such as Chlamydia and gonorrhea.
  
• Condoms reduce the risk of many other sexually transmitted infections like gonorrhea, syphilis, Chlamydia, cancroids, HIV, herpes and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
  
• Condoms are light weight and easy to dispose of and they fit easily into any purse or bag.
  
• You don"t need a prescription to get and use a condom.
  
• Condoms can help relieve premature ejaculation by using thicker skins and desensitizing lubes.
  
• Condoms can help men stay erect longer.
  
• You can use condoms with other types of birth control.
  
• Condoms help to protect against changes in the PH system of the vagina and allergies to semen.
  

*Myths about Condoms:
There are many misconceptions and a lot of misinformation out there about the effectiveness of condoms. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following updated information to address some common myths about condoms. This information is based on findings from recent epidemiologic, laboratory, and clinical studies.

- Condoms don't work. Latex condoms are highly effective for pregnancy prevention, but only when they are used properly. Research indicates that only 30 to 60 percent of men who claim to use condoms for contraception actually use them for every act of intercourse. Further, even people who use condoms every time may not use them correctly. Incorrect use contributes to the possibility that the condom could leak at the base or break.

- Condoms frequently break Several studies clearly show that condom breakage rates in this country are less than 2 percent. Most of the breakage is likely due to incorrect usage rather than poor condom quality. Using oil-based lubricants can weaken latex, causing the condom to break. In addition, condoms can be weakened by exposure to heat or sunlight or by age, or they can be torn by teeth or fingernails.

- HIV can pass through condoms A commonly held misperception is that latex condoms contain "holes" that allow passage of HIV. Laboratory studies show that intact latex condoms provide a continuous barrier to microorganisms, including HIV, as well as sperm.

- Education about condom efficacy promotes sexual activity Five U.S. studies of specific sex education programs have demonstrated that HIV education and sex education which included condom information either had no effect upon the initiation of intercourse or resulted in delayed onset of intercourse; four studies of specific programs found that HIV/sex education did not increase frequency of intercourse, and a program that included resistance skills actually resulted in a decrease in the number of youth who initiated sex. In addition, a World Health Organization (WHO) review cited 19 studies of sex education programs that found no evidence that sex education leads to earlier or increased sexual activity in young people. In fact, five of the studies cited by WHO showed that such programs can lead to a delay or decrease in sexual activity.

What is a condom made of?
There are several types of condoms out there for you to try. There is latex (the most common type of material), polyurethane (a type of plastic) and natural (made from animal membranes).

Latex condoms (made from a type of rubber) are the most common type of condom on the market. They come in many different varieties including colors, shapes, sizes and even flavors.

The polyurethane condoms that are also FDA approved to help in the prevention of pregnancies and diseases are a great alternative to latex condoms for those that have allergic reactions to latex. The fit, feel and work very much the same as latex condoms and the wearer should follow the same directions as latex condom users.

The third type of condom is the natural condom. They are great for those that have noticeably decreased sensation with the use of polyurethane or latex condom. Natural condoms are not to be used if there is the possibility of an STD present. They are more porous and some viruses and bacteria can pass through.

Types of Latex Condoms:
There are many types of latex condoms out there for your personal enjoyment. They come in different sizes, shapes and thicknesses. There are also many more that are made to spark your personal preferences. Here are many of the types of that are available.

Color � Colored rubbers let you add some fun into love making. Choose from the many colors offered.
Desensitizing � Desensitizing rubbers are good for the person who is looking to increase staying power and prolong sexual pleasure.
Extra Strength � Extra strength rubbers have a thicker skin to tackle extra friction.
Female Condom � Also known as the vaginal pouch, is made for the women to wear. The bonus to the female condom is the man can remain inside the vagina after ejacualtion. There is no rush for him to withdraw immediately.
Flavored � Flavored rubbers will make your taste buds run wild and are great for oral sex.
Non Lubricated � Rubbers for those who prefer no lubrication.
Pleasure Shaped � These rubbers are believed to produce significantly more sensation while providing the user with a looser fitting style.
Sensitive � For those who want to feel more sensitivity while using a condom.
Textured � Textures rubbers can add extra sensation to both partners adding to the passion of the moment.
Warming � The warming condom adds waves of warmth for both partners as the body releases natural moisture.
Custom Fit � There are companies out there that will make custom condoms to fit anyone.

There are many more types of latex condoms available including celebrity condoms, self application, vending, dental dams, festive, non latex, novelty and even finger cots & gloves. If you unsure what to try, get a sampler pack. There is no better way to try them all out.

The Female Condom:
The "female" condom is a barrier made out of polyurethane that is inserted deep inside the vagina like a diaphragm. One end of the female condom is closed and one end of the female condom is open. The open end is the end that stays outside the vaginal opening.

Like the "male" condom, the female condom collects semen before, during and after ejaculation and keeps sperm from entering the vagina. The female condom also reduces the risk of sexually transmitted infections including HIV. Statistics show that only 5% of women become pregnant with perfect use of the female condom while 21% became pregnant with typical use.

The female condom is designed with a flexible ring on both ends of the sheath. The closed end is the end that is inserted into the vagina while the open end stays outside of the vulva. The open end is where the penis enters. The rings act as a guide as well as prevent the sheath from bunching up inside the vagina.

*Warning. The female condom should not be used with a male condom. Too much friction can occur causing one of the condoms to break. *Use only water based lubes with condoms. Oil based lubes can cause condoms to weaken and break.

How to use a condom:
First of all, rubbers that are not stored properly can cause rubbers to break. Make sure you store your condoms away from heat and light and it is best not to store them in your pocket, wallet or storage compartments of your car.

1. Open the condom package at the corner.
2. Placed rolled condom over the tip of the penis. Leave about � inch of space at the tip if there is no reservoir tip.
3. Pull back the foreskin, unless circumcised, before rolling on the condom.
4. Pinch the air out of the top of the condom and unroll the condom all the way down to the base of the shaft. Smooth out any air bubbles.
5. Use lubrication if needed. Always used water based lubes and never oil based lubes. Oil based lubes can weaken the condom and cause breakage.

Note: If the condom won"t unroll, it could be inside out. Take it off, throw it away and start with a new condom.

Taking Off a Condom:
Hold the condom against the base of the shaft and pull out before the erection softens. This will keep the rubber from spilling. Dispose of properly by wrapping the rubber in tissue and throwing it away. Don"t flush the condom. It is bad on the environment.

If a Condom Breaks:
If the condom breaks, pull out immediately and replace the broken condom with a new condom. (You should always check during sex to make sure the rubber is still on.)

Anal Intercourse:
When using condoms for anal intercourse make sure you choose a stronger condom and use plenty of water based lube.

Resources:
http://www.plannedparenthoodOSBC.org
http://www.avert.org/usecond.htm
*http://www.cdc.gov/nchstp/od/content_guidelines/comments/comment_1839.htm