February: National Condom Month

Used since the time of ancient Egyptians (though thankfully they’ve come a long way since then), condoms can be found at most drugstores, grocery stores, and online. They are one of the most easily accessible and most affordable form of birth control and STI preventative tool – obtained without the need of a prescription or doctor’s visit. On CSU’s campus, the health building has both internal condoms, dental dams, and lubricant for free.

Despite the ease of obtaining condoms, and their effectiveness in preventing the spread of STIs and preventing pregnancy, studies have shown that they aren’t used as often as they could or should be. The most recent CDC survey of unmarried men showed that less than half of unmarried men used them during their last sexual encounter, while high school students reported a rate of 52%.

When you can grab free condoms on campus or buy them at Target, accessibility isn’t really the issue. The real hurdle is often finding what works for you. With different materials and sizes available, the world of protection is much bigger than the standard latex sleeve. To celebrate National Condom Month, let’s break down everything you need to know to stay protected, comfortable, and confident.

How Effective Are Condoms?

When used consistently AND correctly, condoms are approximately 98% effective at preventing pregnancy via the barrier method, and provide a high protection rate against HIV (between 85-95%). Effectiveness rates depend on how often and how well a condom is used.

Condoms are also the only type of pregnancy prevention that reduce your risk for contracting an STI.

What does consistently and correctly mean?

Consistent use means using one each and every time you have sex, with a new condom for each individual act of vaginal, anal, or oral sex. This means if you go for round two, use a new condom for that act. Before use, make sure that there are no visual defects or holes.

Correct Usage means using condoms according to directions, not using two at one time, not using one more than once, not using oil-based lubricants (they can break down latex) and not using spermicide at the same time. Do not store condoms in your wallet as the heat from your body and friction from everyday movement can damage them and cause them to be less or ineffective. Protection should be placed before any kind of sexual contact and kept in place until the end of intercourse.

What Does "Typical use" of a condom mean?

While consistent and correct usage results in excellent protection from unplanned pregnancy and STIs, typical use accounts for human error, like putting the condom on late, taking it off too soon, the condom slipping off, or not using one for every intimate act. The typical, or “real world” usage pregnancy rate is about 85% effective, meaning that approximately 15 in every 100 women using condoms as their only method of birth control will become pregnant. If becoming pregnant is not something you desire at this time, it’s recommended that you talk to your doctor about what methods of birth control would be right for you in addition to condom usage.

Experiencing discomfort?

One of the main reasons couples or individuals decide not to use condoms is if one or both partners suffer discomfort when using them. In one study, nearly 31.4% of respondents reported having a problem with the way a condom fit or felt, and women were equally as likely to experience discomfort as men. 36% described the condom as being too tight, and 30% commented that using them resulted in a lack of sensation. Among women, vaginal irritation was reported 43% of the time.

It may be tempting to decide in the moment to ditch protection because it isn’t working for you or a partner – or to avoid use altogether. This is not advisable – instead, consider trying different sizes, a non-latex option, or experimenting with different thicknesses to find one that works for you.

What are the different types of condoms?

(Please note, the links below contain medical illustration and may not be suitable for all audiences)

external (male) condoms

External/Male Condoms are made from very thin latex or rubber. They prevent a man’s semen from coming into contact with his sexual partner, preventing both pregnancy and the spread of STIs through seminal fluids.

Some condoms come with spermicide on them (a chemical that kills sperm), but using this type or using spermicide with condoms can increase your risk of getting an STI – if you are having sex with multiple partners, you should consider a different variety.

internal (female) condoms

The internal condom can be used by all people and used for prevention of pregnancy and STIs, though data for this is more limited than for the external condom. Made of a prelubricated polyurethane sheath, it covers the vaginal canal and external genitalia. They are more costly and can be harder to obtain than the external condom, though it does offer an advantage of being controlled by the receptive partner rather than the penetrative partner. One study found that breakage was less common in internal condoms, but slippage was more common.

This kind has been found to be slightly less effective in preventing pregnancy – decreasing from 98% effective with perfect use to 95% of perfect use.

dental dam

Dental Dams are used for oral sex, either vaginal or anal. They are made of thin sheets of latex or polyurethane, or can be fashioned by cutting an external/male condom.

finger condoms or finger cots

Finger condoms fit over individual fingers for digital penetration (aka fingering). Digital penetration is not likely to cause pregnancy (unless sperm was already on the participant’s fingers) or spread STIs, but using one can further reduce the risk.

can a cervical diaphragm be used as a condom?

While a diaphragm (prescribed by a doctor and is a less popular method of birth control) has been observed to provide some protection against gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis in addition to pregnancy, diaphragms should not be relied on to prevent HIV or other STIs.

Risks associated with condom use

While condoms greatly reduce your risk of contracting an STI or becoming pregnant, they aren’t perfect. Internal condoms do not cover the entire genital area, which means you can still contract an STI from skin-to-skin contact, such as genital herpes, warts, or syphilis. If the condom breaks or tears, you are at a higher risk of STI or unplanned pregnancy.

Keep in mind that condoms are more likely to fail because of human error.

do condoms expire?

Yes – and using an expired condom increases the risk of it breaking. Check your condom’s expiration date before use.

Talking to your partner about using condoms

Before becoming sexually active with a potential partner, talk to them about how you plan to protect yourself, especially if you have multiple partners. Consider the risks and benefits of each type of condom and birth control (if applicable), and how they would handle a potential unplanned pregnancy. As the risks of contracting an STI are minimized but not eliminated with the use of condoms, ask when they have last been checked for STIs. It may not be a sexy topic of conversation, but a good partner will be understanding and want to protect the health of both you and them.

STI testing is still important

Whether or not you are using condoms, it is important to be regularly tested for STIs if you are sexually active. While using a condom drastically decreases the infection rate of most STIs, they are not perfect. Condoms reduce the likelihood of exposure, but do not prevent all exposure if your partner is already infected.

STIs commonly do not display symptoms of infection, and, if left untreated in women, can lead to pelvic inflammatory disease and/or fertility issues.

The CDC recommends annual testing for the following populations:

Sexually active women under 25 should be tested for gonorrhea and chlamydia each year
Sexual active women with new or multiple partners or have a partner with an STI should be tested every year for gonorrhea and chlamydia
Sexually active men who are gay, or bisexual, or have sex with men should be tested for syphilis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea once a year, or more if they have multiple or anonymous partners
Anyone who shares infection drug equipment

In 2024, Larimer County reported 1,184 cases of chlamydia, 331 cases of gonorrhea, and 30 cases of syphilis.

Alpha Center provides free, routine screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV up to twice per year. Call 970-239-2272 to schedule your appointment today!

unplanned pregnancy

Used perfectly, condoms prevent pregnancy between 97-98% of the time. If you are experiencing symptoms of pregnancy or your period is late, there is a chance that you may be pregnant. If it has been longer than 4 weeks since your last period, call Alpha Center for a pregnancy testing or pre-abortion screening appointment. During your appointment, you will meet with a caring staff and learn the information you need to make an informed decision without financial pressure.

disclaimer

The only 100% sure way to avoid unplanned pregnancy and STI infection is to practice abstinence.

frequently asked questions about condoms

Do condoms prevent pregnancy?

Used perfectly, condoms can be up to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. However, in real world use, about 15 in 100 women using condoms as their only method of birth control will become pregnant.

Does Alpha Center provide condoms?

No, Alpha Center does not provide condoms. On CSU’s campus, the health building has both internal condoms, dental dams, and lubricant for free, or condoms can be purchased at local grocery stores, gas stations, or convenience stores.

What STIs does Alpha Center include in their routine STI screening?

Alpha Center provides free, routine STI screening for chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV.

What STIs does Alpha Center treat?

Alpha Center can provide treatment for chlamydia and referrals for other positive results.

Are Alpha Center’s STI screenings free?

Yes, all of Alpha Center’s services, including STI screening, are free of charge.

Authored by Kristen Long for Alpha Center.