HealthInfo West Coast-Te Tai Poutini
Condoms
Condoms are good at stopping pregnancy and preventing the spread of sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
You need to use a condom correctly every time you have sex for them to work.
Male condoms aren't effective if they break, come off, or get damaged. If any of these things happen when using a condom, you should consider using emergency contraception. There's also a small chance of getting pregnant even if condoms are used correctly.
If you use lubrication (liquid to make things slippery), the condom is less likely to break.
You can buy male condoms in many shops or online.
You can also get them from your GP, the Sexual Health Clinic, or your community pharmacy. They're free if you're under 25.
Female condoms are also available that cover inside the vagina and around the vaginal entrance.
You can buy female condoms from a few shops and online.
This video shows you how to use a female condom.
HealthInfo recommends the following pages
- Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa
- Male condoms
Information about male condoms and how to use them.
- Female condoms
Information about female condoms and how to use them.
- Male condoms
Written by HealthInfo clinical advisers. Last reviewed February 2019.
Image courtesy of Vichaya Kiatying-Angsulee at FreeDigitalPhotos.net
Review key: HICAS-53138
