Condom | |
---|---|
![]() A rolled-up condom | |
Background | |
Pronunciation | /ˈkɒndəm/ KON-dəm or UK: /ˈkɒndɒm/ KON-dom |
Type | Barrier |
First use | Ancient[1] Rubber: 1855[2] Latex: 1920s[3] Polyurethane: 1994 Polyisoprene: 2008 |
Pregnancy rates (first year, latex) | |
Perfect use | 2%[4] |
Typical use | 18%[4] |
Usage | |
Reversibility | Yes |
User reminders | Latex condoms are damaged by oil-based lubricants[1] |
Advantages and disadvantages | |
STI protection | Yes[1] |
Benefits | No health care visits required and low cost[1] |
A condom is a sheath-shaped barrier device used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection (STI).[1] There are both external condoms, also called male condoms, and internal (female) condoms.[5]
The external condom is rolled onto an erect penis before intercourse and works by forming a physical barrier which limits skin-to-skin contact, exposure to fluids, and blocks semen from entering the body of a sexual partner.[1][6] External condoms are typically made from latex and, less commonly, from polyurethane, polyisoprene, or lamb intestine.[1] External condoms have the advantages of ease of use, ease of access, and few side effects.[1] Individuals with latex allergy should use condoms made from a material other than latex, such as polyurethane.[1] Internal condoms are typically made from polyurethane and may be used multiple times.[6]
With proper use—and use at every act of intercourse—women whose partners use external condoms experience a 2% per-year pregnancy rate.[1] With typical use, the rate of pregnancy is 18% per-year.[4] Their use greatly decreases the risk of gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS.[1] To a lesser extent, they also protect against genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and syphilis.[1]
Condoms as a method of preventing STIs have been used since at least 1564.[1] Rubber condoms became available in 1855, followed by latex condoms in the 1920s.[2][3] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[7] As of 2019, globally around 21% of those using birth control use the condom, making it the second-most common method after female sterilization (24%).[8] Rates of condom use are highest in East and Southeast Asia, Europe and North America.[8] About six to nine billion are sold a year.[citation needed]
© MMXXIII Rich X Search. We shall prevail. All rights reserved. Rich X Search