Condom

A condom is an impermeable sheath, most often made of latex, sometimes of polyurethane or nitrile for people with allergies. It acts as a barrier to semen, blood and vaginal or anal secretions.

That's what sets it apart: it's the only method of contraception that also protects against STIs (HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhoea...), even if it's less effective against those passed on through simple skin contact, such as herpes, syphilis or HPV. The pill, the IUD or the implant prevent pregnancy, but they protect against nothing else.

In practice, it goes on the erect penis before any contact with the mouth, vulva or anus, not just before ejaculation. Open the wrapper with your fingers (never with your teeth or a fingernail), pinch the little reservoir at the tip to squeeze out the air, then roll it down to the base. If it's the wrong way round from the start, take a new condom: that one has already touched the head of the penis.

After ejaculation, pull out while holding the ring at the base so it doesn't slip off, then tie a knot in it and put it in the bin (never down the toilet). A new condom every time and for every partner, and a fresh one if you move from the anus to the vagina. Two condoms worn on top of each other don't protect any better: they rub against each other and tear more easily.

Lube makes a big difference, especially for anal penetration and longer sessions. Water-based or silicone-based only: oil, petroleum jelly, hand cream and massage oil damage latex within minutes. Size isn't a matter of vanity: a condom that's too tight can split, one that's too loose can slip off, and nominal widths vary from one brand to another.

The internal condom (also called the female condom) is a wider sheath made of polyurethane or nitrile, with a soft ring at each end. The ring at the closed end is squeezed and pushed deep into the vagina, while the other stays outside and covers the entrance. It can be put in several hours beforehand, it doesn't depend on an erection, and it can also be used for anal sex (the inner ring then serves as a guide and can be removed).

Related words and common mix-ups: a rubber or a johnny is the same thing, while a dental dam is a square of latex laid over the vulva or anus for oral sex. Be wary too of novelty condoms, flavoured or decorative, which are not all certified (look for the CE mark or your country's equivalent and the expiry date, and keep condoms away from heat, so not in a back pocket or the glove compartment). If one breaks or slips off, or if you're in any doubt, a doctor, a pharmacy or a sexual health clinic will quickly point you in the right direction: emergency contraception and HIV post-exposure treatment (PEP) each have their own time window.

Synonyms : rubber, johnny, French letter, male condom, external condom, female condom, internal condom