Male and Female Condoms

The male condom and the female condom are both barrier methods of contraception.

A male condom is a narrow tube, made from very thin, natural latex rubber which is soft and stretchy. It is closed at one end, and fits over a man’s erect penis. Most male condoms have a ‘teat’ at the closed end to hold the man’s semen once he has ejaculated (or come).

A female condom is a tube made of very thin polyurethane plastic or rubber. The only female condom currently available is ‘Femidom’, which is made of polyurethane. It is closed at one end, and designed to form a loose lining to a woman’s vagina with two flexible rings, one at each end, to keep it in place.

They work by preventing the man’s sperm from meeting and fertilising the woman’s egg.

Male Condom
Tests show that for every 100 couples who use the male condom very carefully and consistently, two women will get pregnant in a year. But with less careful and consistent use, up to 15 could get pregnant.

It is important to use a quality condom - carefully - every time you have sex, whatever your contraceptive method. Look for the CE Mark or Kitemark which indicates that the condoms have met with European Standards for condoms.

Female Condom
There have been no large-scale studies showing how effective the female condom is. But research to date suggests that it should be as effective as the male condom. Currently there is no quality standard for the female condom.

Male and female condoms should always be used carefully, to make sure that no sperm comes into contact with the woman’s genital area.

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