Condoms will help in stopping being pregnant and defending towards sexually transmitted infections. There are various varieties of condoms you and your companion can strive.
When you’ve got an energetic intercourse life, you should be utilizing a condom as a protecting barrier. You simply use it each time you may have intercourse so as to get safety towards undesirable being pregnant in addition to sexually transmitted infections. Nonetheless, you don’t need to depend on simply latex condoms. Whereas feminine condoms and flavoured ones should have piqued your curiosity, there are many choices which you could strive. Many extra varieties of condoms can be utilized throughout sexual actions. Nonetheless, not all of them are efficient, and a few of them are meant for use throughout oral intercourse solely. Check out the alternatives and decide the one which’s greatest for you and your companion.
What are condoms?
They’re a type of barrier contraception used to forestall being pregnant and shield towards sexually transmitted infections throughout sexual activity. “They work by making a bodily barrier that stops sperm from getting into the vagina and reaching an egg, and likewise cut back the danger of transmission of infections akin to HIV, chlamydia, and gonorrhea,” explains gynaecologist and IVF knowledgeable Dr Shobha Gupta.
They’ll additionally shield folks towards ailments, together with Zika and Ebola viruses, that may get transmitted via intercourse, in response to the US Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. Roughly, 98 % of ladies whose sexual companions use male condoms appropriately throughout intercourse over one yr might be shielded from unplanned being pregnant, as per the World Well being Group.
What are the varieties of condoms?
Listed here are some frequent varieties of condoms that you need to use throughout intercourse:
1. Latex condoms
Created from pure rubber latex, these are some of the frequent varieties of condoms. A 2004 examine revealed within the Contraception journal confirmed that the male latex condoms hardly ever broke or slipped off throughout intercourse. Researchers additionally discovered that this condom supplied excessive contraceptive efficacy, particularly when used commonly, and the danger of semen leaking from it was very low.
2. Polyurethane condoms
Created from a skinny, robust plastic materials, these condoms are a very good different for folks with latex allergic reactions. “The exterior condom, which is proof against water, and grease, nonetheless supplies efficient safety towards being pregnant and STIs,” says the knowledgeable.
3. Polyisoprene condoms
These are constituted of artificial rubber and are one other latex-free choice. They don’t have the allergy-triggering proteins which are present in latex condoms, however provide related safety and luxury because the latter. If you wish to make your intercourse life safer, and are allergic to latex, go for polyisoprene condoms.
4. Feminine condoms
Inserted into the vagina, feminine condoms present barrier safety from being pregnant and STIs and can be utilized by ladies preferring to not depend on male condoms. A 2020 examine revealed in BMC Public Well being confirmed that using feminine together with male condoms was simpler than use of solely male condoms in stopping STIs.
5. Spermicide-coated condoms
These are latex or polyurethane condoms coated with spermicide, which often is available in a jelly type. “It provides further being pregnant prevention by killing sperm earlier than they will attain the egg, however they might result in irritation in some customers,” says the knowledgeable.
6. Flavoured condoms
Whenever you consider fashionable varieties of condoms, you should be visualising the flavoured ones. “These are designed for oral intercourse, typically constituted of latex, and are available numerous flavours to masks the style of latex,” says the knowledgeable. It might make oral intercourse extra enjoyable for {couples}.
7. Textured condoms (ribbed or studded)
“Most of these condoms have added texture, akin to ribs or studs, to reinforce sensation for each the companions,” says the knowledgeable. It might stimulate the nerves within the vagina higher than non-textured condoms, and so, they might improve pleasure.
8. Extremely-thin condoms
Created from skinny latex, these condoms are designed to offer a extra pure feeling throughout intercourse. It nearly appears like skin-on-skin whereas having intercourse. “It nonetheless provides the identical stage of safety as commonplace varieties of condoms,” says Dr Gupta.
9. Thick or extra-strength condoms
These condoms are constituted of thick latex, offering further sturdiness and decreasing the danger of breakage, particularly throughout anal intercourse. A 2022 examine revealed in Translational Andrology And Urology journal confirmed that such varieties of condoms bodily protect and lengthen the time of penile erection, and overcome untimely ejaculation to enhance the standard of intercourse.
10. Glow-in-the-dark condoms
Coated with a luminescent layer, all these condoms glow in the dead of night. “Additionally they add a enjoyable component to sexual exercise, whereas nonetheless being as efficient as commonplace varieties of condoms,” says the knowledgeable. The glowing agent is definitely surrounded by latex, so it makes intercourse safer.
11. Non-lubricated condoms
Most of these condoms don’t have any lubricant and are sometimes utilized by individuals who want to make use of their very own lubrication. Some use coconut oil as a pure lubricant throughout intercourse. Non-lubricated condoms might also be utilized by those that have sensitivities to the lubricants sometimes utilized in condoms.
12. Lubricated condoms
Coated with a lubricant to scale back friction, all these condoms enhance consolation throughout intercourse and assist forestall breakage. They will also be simpler to placed on than the non-lubricated varieties of condoms. You can even use them throughout anal intercourse.
13. Delicate condoms
These are skinny condoms designed to extend sensitivity and improve pleasure. “Most of these condoms can keep the identical stage of safety,” says the knowledgeable. These condoms might not be as sturdy as common varieties of condoms as a result of thinner materials, resulting in a better threat of breakage.
14. Animal-skin condoms
Created from lambskin, all these condoms provide pure sensation however don’t shield towards STIs, making them unsuitable for these involved about an infection prevention. “They’re additionally sometimes costlier and will not be a dependable choice for contraception,” says the knowledgeable.
15. Specialty condoms like warming or cooling
Most of these condoms comprise lubricants that create warming or cooling sensations to reinforce pleasure whereas having intercourse. “These condoms could comprise lubricants that trigger irritation or allergic reactions in some people, particularly in delicate areas,” says the knowledgeable.
There are various varieties of condoms, however in terms of effectiveness, male ones which are worn on the penis present safety throughout intercourse.
Associated FAQs
Which kind of condoms is greatest?
Latex condoms are thought of the most secure and simplest choice for stopping being pregnant when used appropriately. They not solely provide dependable safety towards being pregnant, but in addition cut back the danger of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), making them a complete methodology of safety.
Do condoms expire?
Condoms often have a shelf life of 1 to 5 years. Don’t use condoms after the expiration date, which is talked about on the bundle, as a result of they won’t work properly and never assist in stopping sexually transmitted infections and being pregnant.
Why do condoms break?
Condoms could get broken whereas utilizing if they do not match correctly. Utilizing a lubricant with oil on a latex condom can have an effect on its effectiveness. Additionally, not utilizing any lubricant can harm condoms, because it creates extra friction throughout intercourse.
