Condoms, Dental Dams, Cervical Caps, Diaphragms and more

A condom is a thin sheath or "skin" of latex or polyurethane fitted over the erect penis to prevent the escape of ejaculated semen during vaginal, oral, or anal intercourse or manual foreplay.

Condoms are available in various shapes, colors, flavors and specialty condoms which have pleasure ribs, bumps, and reservoir tips (for added sensations during sex). Non-lubricated or flavored condoms should be used during oral sex to protect against STDs. All of these condoms can be purchased online.

The condom is 85-98% effective as a method of contraception. For maximum protection, condoms should be used in combination with a vaginal spermicide such as in the form of:

Diaphragms or the Pill should be used for maximum protection against pregnancy. These are intended to block the cervix and kill sperm, but effectiveness varies greatly.

STDs can be transmitted during vaginal, oral and anal sex. If you are using a condom for oral sex, you may prefer to use a non-lubricated or flavored condom.

A condom can be cut to form a latex square for use as a barrier during cunnilingus or during oral-anal contact, or you can purchase barrier caps already made.

If a condom breaks, immediate withdrawal is recommended. A new condom can then be used. To reduce the risk of pregnancy, a woman can immediately insert two applications of spermicide into the vagina.

How to use a condom picture (Image credit: Sex & Sexuality) Follow the steps below when first using a condom:

Condoms come ready-rolled and most end in a teat which catches the semen.

Take the fresh condom out of the packet carefully and avoid tearing it on fingernails or jewelry

Expel the air from the teat at the tip of the condom by squeezing it

Place the opening of the condom on the head of the penis

Unroll it down the shaft so that it fits comfortably onto the erect penis (do not try putting it on unless you have an erection)

When fully unrolled the condom should extend almost to the base of the penis and fit snugly like a second skin

Make sure the condom is placed on the erect penis before it contacts any mucous membranes or genitalia

The following steps should be taken for correct disposal of the condom after sexual intercourse:

After ejaculation the condom should be removed carefully to prevent the semen from spilling out

The man withdraws his penis from the woman's vagina while holding the condom securely to the penis so it does not come off

The condom is removed and disposed of properly by wrapping it in paper or tissue and placing in a bin

Care must always be taken that any semen left on the penis does not get transferred to the woman's vagina, especially from the fingers

If the condom tears or comes off during vaginal intercourse foam should be inserted immediately and the Morning After Pill should be considered

Never try to reuse a condom

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The Female Condom

The female condom is a disposable sheath made of colorless odorless polyurethane and was designed about 10 years ago to protect a woman from pregnancy and STDs by lining the vagina. Not sure where you can get a female condom? Click here

An inner ring covers the opening to the uterus and sits over the cervix and an outer ring lies flat against the labia covering the outside of the vagina to stop sperm from entering. Before intercourse the inner ring with the closed end is inserted just up past the pubic bone (a couple of inches inside your vagina) leaving the open outer ring outside of the vagina.

Inserting a dental dam or female condom picture (Image credit: Sex & Sexuality)

How To Use

Some women put it in place while lying down, others while standing with one leg on a chair, and others while squatting. Insert it by doing the following:

Hold the closed end of the female condom (the tip) feeling the ring inside it

Squeeze the ring between your fingers and open up the lips of your vagina and insert with your other hand

Push the squeezed ring inside and up to the top end of your vagina

Put two fingers inside the female condom and use them to push the inner ring as far into the vagina as it will go so the whole vaginal cavity is snugly lined

Make sure that the outer ring now covers the opening of your vagina

It comes ready lubricated for easy insertion and no spermicide is necessary

The penis has to be guided into the sheath as it is easy to mistakenly put the penis outside the condom, but after intercourse there is no need for immediate withdrawal, as the man may stay in the woman, unlike with traditional condoms.

To remove the condom after sex:

Twist the outer ring to keep the semen inside

Pull the condom out gently

Wrap and dispose of the condom in a bin

The female condom:

Must only be used once

Must not be used with a male condom as they will stick together and tear

Condoms of all varieties, shapes and sizes, can be purchased online or from your local pharmacy

Advantages	Disadvantages
protection from pregnancy and STD's	information on effective use is somewhat limited
penis need not be erect for pouch to be inserted	sheath may move
no need for immediate withdrawal	sheath may be noisy or uncomfortable
	Must be used correctly every time

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Dental Dams

The dental dam is a square piece of thin latex used to prevent the transmission of STDs when oral sex is performed on a woman. Dental Dams are available here.The dental dam is stretched across a woman’s vagina to prevent exchange of bodily fluids. The dental dam itself is not lubricated, but a water-based lubricant on the vagina side of the dental dam may be useful to keep the dental dam in place and to increase sensation.

Advantages	Disadvantages
protection against STD's including HIV	allergic reaction to latex or lubricant (a polyurethane type is also available for people allergic to latex)
low health risk	may interrupt foreplay
easily accessible	dulls sensation (KY jelly placed on the inside of the tip improves feeling)
latex used with spermicide blocks and may kill sperm and STD's	allergic reaction to spermicidal
can protect against infection, herpes and genital warts	irritation from condoms
effective when used with other contraceptives	oil-based lubricants such as Vaseline can make holes in latex condoms

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Diaphragms & Cervical Caps

The diaphragm can be used by most women without any kind of inconvenience or discomfort. It is a good option for women:

who cannot take the Pill for some reason
women who dislike the idea of hormonal contraception
who are older
who are in committed relationship

The diaphragm is a soft, thin rubber cup that is placed in the vagina before intercourse. It is a barrier method of contraception with minimal side effects. The diaphragm looks like a little hat without a brim. It is elastic and and can be folded so that it goes into the vagina easily.

Caps and diaphragms act as a contraceptive by:

forming a barrier across the neck of the womb preventing the sperm from reaching and fertilizing the egg
covering the opening to the uterus and holding contraceptive cream or jelly which destroys sperm
creating a protective seal using spermicidal cream or jelly around the cervix trapping and immobilizing any sperm that make it past that seal (spermicidal cream or jelly is essential when using a diaphragm to be effective in preventing pregnancy)

If you are trying to find a contraceptive cap or diaphragm click here.

A medical examination by your doctor or family planning clinic is needed so that the right-sized cap or diaphragm can be chosen as a good fit is essential. However, it is necessary that it be inserted for the first time in the company of your doctor or family planning nurse to ensure correct usage. This is done during a pelvic examination and takes only a few minutes.

You will also need to see your doctor if your weight changes by more than 3kg either way or if you resume wearing a diaphragm after a pregnancy to see if the size is still correct.

If the diaphragm does not suit your particular vaginal shape an alternative can be the closely related contraceptive cap which is also a good method. It is smaller and fits over your cervix, so you have to be very sure that you can find your own cervix and fit the cap over it.

How To Use

smear a little spermicide on to the diaphragm and around the rim to make insertion easier
squeeze the diaphragm into a boat shape
open the lips of the vagina with one hand and insert it similarly to a sanitary tampon
the diaphragm is placed high up in the vagina so that it covers the cervix
when the rim rests behind the pubic bone at the front and the dome covers the cervix at the back it is in place and cannot be felt by either the woman or the man during intercourse

Before sexual intercourse the diaphragm with cream or jelly is inserted into vagina and must be left in place at least 6 hours after intercourse but not longer than 24 hours.

Care of Diaphragm

Once you have your diaphragm it is important that proper care be taken so that in remains in good condition.

do not use cold cream, Vaseline or other oily substances as a diaphragm lubricant as these may be harmful to the diaphragm
wash carefully after use with a mild soap
do not use perfumed soaps containing cold cream or detergents as the elements in these soaps may have a harmful effect on the latex rubber diaphragm
rinse with clean water
dry carefully
do not allow the diaphragm to air dry
dust the diaphragm lightly with cornstarch and replace it in the container
do not use any type of body powder, baby powder, flour or face powder as they may contain elements that could affect the latex rubber diaphragm
if your diaphragm perishes or gets damaged in any way get a replacement immediately

This combination of diaphragm or cap used with a spermicide has been found to have a 95% effectiveness rate.

It is important to keep in mind that the spermicide will be effective for about only three hours. More spermicide is needed if you have intercourse after the diaphragm or cap has been in place for three hours.

Some diaphragms available are:

Dumas Vault cap
Prentif Cavity Rim
Vimule

Advantages	Disadvantages
no major health concerns	allergy to a certain brand of cream or jelly (can change brands)
allows sex to be spontaneous	allergy to the material that the diaphragm is made from.
can be reused many times if properly cared for	may increase risk of toxic shock if used during period
will last several years if it is carefully looked after	cystitis occurs in some women
may make love as normal during menstruation if desired as with a diaphragm in place there is usually no sign at all of any bleeding	may lead to increased risk of urinary tract infection (bladder infection)

Cervical Cap*

The cervical cap works much the same way as the diaphragm with similar effectiveness rates. A small latex cap is inserted before intercourse fitting over the cervix to act as a barrier to semen.

The cap cannot be pushed into the uterus, even though it is smaller than a diaphragm. Spermicide inside the cap is held against the cervix destroying any sperm that make it past the barrier (see information on Diaphragms above).

*Only available by prescription in the US.

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