Condoms are easy to get and easy to use. They help prevent both pregnancy and STDs. And condoms can even make sex better — seriously.
Condoms Are Effective Against Stds
Condoms and internal condoms are the only methods of birth control that also help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections like HIV, chlamydia , and gonorrhea. Even if you’re already using a different kind of birth control to avoid pregnancy, it’s a good idea to also use condoms or internal condoms every time you have sex to protect yourself from STDs.
Condoms Don’t Cost Much And Are Convenient
Condoms are super easy to get from many different stores, community health centers, Planned Parenthood health centers, and online. You don’t need a prescription or ID to buy them, and they’re inexpensive (or sometimes even free). Condoms are a small, discreet, and portable way to get big protection from pregnancy and STDs.
Condoms Can Be Sexy
Protection is important, but so is pleasure. Luckily, condoms offer both!
Condoms come in lots of different styles, shapes, and textures that increase sensation for both partners. And having your partner put the condom on your penis can be a sexy part of foreplay, especially if you add lube. Condoms can even delay ejaculation (cumming), so sex lasts longer.
Condoms Help Other Methods Of Birth Control Work Even Better
Adding condoms to your birth control lineup can give you extra pregnancy protection. No method is 100% effective, so adding condoms as a backup helps you prevent pregnancy if you make a mistake with your other method or it fails. And it’s a good idea to use condoms to help protect yourself against STDs as well.
Condoms can add extra protection to almost all other birth control methods, like the pill, shot, ring, IUD, and implant. However, don’t use the internal condom and male condom together, and there’s no need to wear more than one condom at a time. One should do the trick.
Source: plannedparenthood.org
