Condoms

Condoms are a form of contraception (birth control). They are suitable for almost everyone. There are 2 types of condoms: external and internal.

External condoms

• These are thin tubes of latex that are fitted over an erect penis before sex, to protect against unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
• They are easily available and can be bought from Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinics, supermarkets, pharmacies, pubs, public toilets, garages, nightclubs, dairies, sex shops and online.
• It is cheaper to get them on prescription from a Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinic, a sexual health centre or a doctor. You can get up to 144 condoms for $5 with a prescription.
• At some clinics you may be able to get a prescription by phone.
• They come in different shapes, sizes, colours, textures and flavours.

Internal condoms

• These go into a vagina and work by catching sperm at ejaculation (coming).
• It is a tube with flexible rings at each end – one end is closed and the other is open. The closed end stays deep in the vagina and the opened end stays outside the vaginal opening during intercourse.
• Internal condoms are latex-free so can be used by people who are allergic to latex and can be used with water-based lubricants.
• Internal condoms can be bought from a range of retailers such as the Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa online shop(external link). However, there is no subsidy.
• Internal condoms are not as effective external condoms in preventing pregnancy and not as easy to use correctly.

When used correctly and every time, condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. This means that among couples who use condoms perfectly for 1 year, only 2 out of 100 will become pregnant.

Correct or perfect use of condoms involves:

• using a condom every time you have sex
• putting a condom on before the penis touches the vaginal area
• the penis not touching the vaginal area after the condom is taken off. 

Condoms have a failure rate of about 18%. This means that, among all couples who use condoms, about 18 out of 100 become pregnant in 1 year. The most common reasons for condom failure are:

• not using a condom every time
• the condom breaking
• the condom partly or completely slipping off the penis.

Slipping off happens more often than breaking, usually when a condom is too large and when lubricant is put inside the condom or on the penis before putting on a condom. 

Condoms significantly reduce the chance of you catching or spreading HIV, chlamydia and gonorrhoea. Condoms also reduce the chance of syphilis, herpes and genital wart virus infection. However, they don’t give 100% protection because sometimes skin not covered by condoms can be infected with these viruses. 

For the best protection, use condoms during vaginal, oral, anal sex and when sharing sex toys (put a fresh one on before you start and whenever you switch who’s using it).

What are the pros and cons of condoms?

Using an extra method of contraception is a good back-up measure in case a condom slips or breaks. If a condom does slip or break and you are using no other method of contraception, you can use emergency contraception to help prevent pregnancy.

Use a new condom each time you have sex and follow these steps:

• Check the condom pack to make sure the expiry date has not passed.
• Open the condom wrapper, being careful not to poke a hole in the condom with your fingernails, teeth or other sharp objects.
• Make sure your penis does not touch your partner’s vagina, mouth or anus before being covered by a condom.
• Check the condom is the right way up, then hold the tip of the condom and squeeze out the air to leave room for the semen after ejaculation (coming).
• Put the condom on as soon as your penis is hard (erect). If you aren't circumcised, pull down the loose skin from the head of your penis (foreskin) before putting on the condom.
• While continuing to hold on to the tip of the condom, unroll it all the way down to the base of your penis.
• After ejaculation, hold on to the condom at the base of your penis and withdraw from your partner while your penis is still erect. This will keep semen from spilling out of the condom.

Lubrication makes it easy to slide in and out during sex. If there is not enough lubrication, the condom is much more likely to break. All subsidised condoms available in Aotearoa New Zealand come pre-lubricated but you may need to use extra, particularly for anal sex or if you have had problems with irritation or condoms breaking in the past.

• Do use a water-based or silicone-based lubricant (eg, KY Jelly, Wet Stuff, Sylk or Durex Perfect Glide).
• Do not use any lubricant with oil in it, such as petroleum jelly (eg, Vaseline), grease, hand lotion or baby oil (read the label if you're not sure what's in it). Oil (or petroleum) can weaken the condom and cause it to break.

Spermicides are no longer recommended for use with condoms as they can irritate sensitive skin and increase the risk of getting an STI.

If your main concern is pregnancy go to a Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa clinic, your doctor or a pharmacy for emergency contraception within 72 hours. If you are worried about STIs talk to a healthcare provider.

If you think your condom has broken before ejaculation (coming), stop and put on a new condom.

External condoms can be bought from Family Planning clinics, supermarkets, pharmacies, pubs, public toilets, garages, nightclubs, dairies, sex shops and online. 

• It is cheaper to get them on prescription from a Family Planning clinic, a sexual health centre or a doctor.
• You can get up to 144 condoms for $5 with a prescription.
• You are legally allowed to buy condoms at any age.

Internal condoms can be bought from a range of retailers such as the Sexual Wellbeing Aotearoa online shop(external link). However, there is no subsidy.