FAQ Birth Control - Barrier Method
- What are barrier contraceptive devices?
Which act as barriers and prevent the union of sperms and ovum
necessary for pregnancy.
- What are the varieties available?
Condoms for males and vaginal diaphragm, cervical caps, vaginal
sponge and condoms for female.
- Which is the most widely used method?
Condoms are oldest, easiest and most widely used.
- How frequently is the condom used?
45-50 million couples use condom throughout the world. This is the
most popular method in Japan.
- Of what material it is made and what is the shape of condom?
Condoms are made of Latex/rubber. They are circular cylinders 15-20
cm in length 2.3-3.5 cm in diameter closed at one end and open at
other with a rim. They are packed rolled over the rim sealed in
plastic foil in blisterpacks.
- What are the varieties of condoms?
They are available in dry forms like, nirodh in India and
Pre-lubricated forms like Kamsutra, Durex, Spermicidal condom –
Rakshak.
- What are advantages of condom?
They need no medical help for use, easily available’ provides
good protection against sexually transmitted diseases like
HIV/Syphilis, Herpes, Hepatitis, if used for more than 5 years it
reduce the chance of developing cervical cancer.
- What are the disadvantages?
It interferes in sexual act by reducing the sensations during
coitus but majority of couples can adjust themselves quite well to
this and modern ultra-thin condoms are available.
- How effective are condoms?
Its failure rate is slightly higher than pills. 2-3 per 100 woman –
years, with new spermicidal condoms it can be reduced to < 1%
when a spermicide is used along with it.
- How to use it and what precautions should be taken?
It is unrolled onto the erect penis before any contract with female
and an air free space should be left by squeezing the tip of condom
for the collection of sperm and prevent its rupture.
It should be used only once.
Soon after discharge, male should withdraw the penis holding the
condom. Use only good quality condoms.
- What are the errors in condom use that may lead to pregnancy?
Genital contact before putting condom.
Slippage of condom.
Leakage on withdrawal.
Damage to the condom by fingernail, chemicals.
- If a condom breaks or slips off is there anything we can do
to avoid a possible pregnancy?
Yes, you can use emergency, post coital contraception provided by
your doctor.
- Do condoms have a shelf life?
Yes it is usually of at least 5 years.
- Can you throw a condom away down the toilet?
From the environmental point of view it is better to use a dustbin.
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