Condoms are mostly made of thin latex rubber. However, the Male condoms are also made from other materials, such as polyurethane, polyisoprene, lambskin, and nitrile. Still Non-latex products are increasingly available. Condoms not only promote safe sex but also sexual pleasure.

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Key risks

Using products that are damaged, expired, poor quality or counterfeit exposes the client to the risk of an unplanned pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections.

Condoms are relatively sensitive products and deteriorate if not transported and stored appropriately, therefore proper distribution and storage conditions should be ensured.

Condoms should be stored at less than 30°C, and should not be exposed to high humidity, direct sunlight, or ozone. They should be stored away from chemicals.

Check that the product has not gone past its expiry date. Discard any products that you suspect are damaged. All men and women can safely use latex male condoms except those who have severe allergic reaction to latex rubber.

• All men and women can safely use plastic male or female condoms. All men wanting to use a condom can do so. There are no known health risks except latex allergy that rules out the use of male condoms made of latex rubber for these clients.
• No specific examination or tests are required to start using the condom.Condoms can be started whenever the client wants, either as a regular contraceptive method or as a back-up method with other regular methods before the latter become effective. Both male and female condoms work by forming a barrier that keeps sperm out of the vagina, preventing pregnancy. They also form a barrier between infections in semen, on the penis, and in the vagina thus preventing one partner from infecting the other. In fact, condoms are the only contraceptive method that protect against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV. Protection from both pregnancy and STIs because of using condoms is called ‘dual protection.
• Male and female condoms should not be used together for additional protection as this causes friction that may lead to slipping or tearing of the condoms. – Condoms prevent 80% – 95% of HIV transmission that would have happened without condom use Condoms work best to prevent STI spread by discharge (HIV, gonorrhoea and chlamydia) but they also protect against STI spread by skin-to-skin contact, such as herpes and human papillomavirus – Condoms also protect against conditions caused by STIs such as recurring pelvic infection, chronic pelvic pain, cervical cancer and infertility (male and female).
• Condoms have practically no side-effects.
• Condoms can be used without seeing a health care provider and are easy to obtain.
• There is no delay in becoming pregnant after stopping use of the male or female condom.