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What are the benefits of an internal condom?

What are the benefits of an internal condom?
What are the benefits of an internal condom?

Internal condom health benefits

– Effectiveness. The internal condom is more effective with spermicide. When used properly, 95 out of every 100 individuals using it will manage to prevent pregnancy.
– STI protection. Internal condoms help protect you from most STIs, including HIV.
– Allergy-friendly. They’re good for people with latex allergies. Unlike external condoms, internal condoms are made out of plastic or synthetic rubber. You can use them even if you are allergic to latex.

Internal condom lifestyle benefits

– Putting on a condom can be part of increasing sexual arousal and desire before penetration. If you feel comfortable talking to your partner about sexuality, discuss how you can use the condom to increase pleasure in your sexual experiences.
– The outer ring may stimulate the clitoris and make sex more pleasurable for women.
– It gives women and other users more control over protected sex. If your partner will not wear an external condom, but you still want protection against STIs, an internal condom is a good option.
– It has a soft, moist texture that feels more natural during sex than when using external latex condoms.
– No prescription is necessary, and you don’t need to have a consultation to buy an internal condom.
– It can be used with both oil- and water-based lube.
– It stays in place even if the man loses his erection.
– They have a shelf life of up to five years.
– They don’t require any special storage conditions. This is because they are made of polyurethane, a material that does not deteriorate in humid conditions (4).

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External Condom

Compare with similar Contraceptive Methods

Are you wondering if condoms are better than daily pills? Or if you should opt for a birth control implant? We're here to assist you in making this decision. You can select up to 5 contraceptive methods and compare them side by side to weigh the pros and cons of each.

Give a try to our Contraceptive Tool

In the example below, you'll find similar methods to the one you're currently reading about. Feel free to click on any that catch your interest or revisit our Contraceptive Methods page

Contraceptive sponge

Non-hormonal

What is it?
A contraceptive sponge is a white plastic foam that is moistened and inserted into the vagina before sex to prevent pregnancy.
Effectiveness
  • It's 80-91% effective.
  • Pros
    • It doesn’t contain hormones.
    • You don’t need a prescription or medical consultation.
    • It can be inserted hours before sex, allowing for spontaneity.
    • There’s no delayed return to fertility. Pregnancy can happen as soon as it is removed.
    Cons
    • It is one of the least effective methods with short-term protection (24 hours).
    • It may cause an allergic reaction.
    • It does not protect from STIs.
    Spermicide

    Non-hormonal

    Spermicide is a chemical or drug that prevents pregnancy by killing the sperm before it can meet an egg for fertilization.
  • It's 84% effective.
    • It’s hormone-free.
    • You don’t need a prescription or consultation to access it.
    • It’s easy to use.
    • It’s less effective when used alone; effectiveness increases with other barrier methods.
    • It’s not available everywhere.
    • It may cause an allergic reaction.
    • It does not protect from STIs.
    Diaphragm contraceptive

    Non-hormonal

    A diaphragm is a shallow, dome-shaped cup with a soft and flexible rim that is placed over the cervix before sex to prevent pregnancy.
  • It's 84% effective.
    • It’s non-hormonal.
    • It allows for sexual spontaneity. It can be inserted hours before sex and left in for up to 24 hours.
    • Your partner can’t feel it.
    • Fertility resumes immediately after it is removed.
    • It’s not a good option if you are allergic to silicone or spermicide.
    • It may cause urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, or candidiasis.
    • It’s a high effort method. It requires discipline and planning.
    Cervical cap

    Non-hormonal

    A cervical cap is a latex or plastic rubber cap that is inserted inside the vagina to block sperm from getting into the uterus.
  • It's 74-91% effective.
    • It’s hormone-free.
    • It’s a good option for those who have sex occasionally and don’t want a regular contraceptive.
    • It’s female-controlled, allowing for sexual agency.
    • It’s not readily available everywhere in the world and can be costly.
    • It can cause vaginal irritation and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
    • It’s not a good option if you are allergic to the material used to make the cap or spermicides.
    • It’s high effort; it requires discipline and prior planning.
    Internal condoms

    Non-hormonal

    An internal condom is a sheath that is worn inside the vagina to prevent pregnancy and STI transmission.
  • It's 95% effective.
    • It offers dual protection from pregnancy and STIs.
    • It’s a good option for people with a latex allergy.
    • It has a shelf life of up to five years and does not require special storage conditions.
    • You don’t need a medical consultation or prescription to access it.
    • It requires high effort as you have to remember to use it before sex.
    • It may slip, break, or draw backward, exposing the user to the risk of pregnancy and STI infections.
    • It’s harder to access and usually quite costly compared to the external condom.

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