Condoms

Condoms are a thin latex sheath worn over the penis or inside the vagina. They are designed to stop semen coming in contact with your sexual partner. There are condoms for men, worn over the penis, and for women, worn inside the vagina. Both types of condoms if used correctly can prevent pregnancies and protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). 

How male condom works

Condoms are a "barrier" method of contraception. They are made of very thin latex (rubber), polyurethane or polyisoprene and are designed to prevent pregnancy by stopping sperm from meeting an egg.

They can also protect against STIs if used correctly during vaginal, anal and oral sex.

Make sure that your penis does not touch your partner's genital area before you have put on a condom – semen can come out of the penis before full ejaculation. If this happens, or if semen gets into your partner's vagina during vaginal sex while using a condom, you may need emergency contraception. You should also consider having an STI test.

Watch the NHS video about how to put on a condom before you have sex.

How female condoms work

The female condom is worn inside the vagina to stop sperm getting to the womb.

It is important to use condoms correctly, and to make sure the penis doesn’t make contact with the vagina before a condom has been put in. This is because semen can come out of the penis before a man has fully ejaculated. A female condom can be put in up to eight hours before sex.

Free condoms for young people

If you are aged under 21 (or under 25 if you have special educational needs (SEN)), you can register for the Come Correct (CCard) scheme and pick up free condoms from a range of venues. You also can get free condoms from sexual and reproductive health services, some GP surgeries and community pharmacies.