Prevention of sperm allergy. Women are occasionally allergic to the sperm or semen of their partner to the extent that they have skin and anaphylactic reactions. Proof of protection. Condoms provide immediate, visible proof of effectiveness when ejaculate is contained within the condom. Men or women who do not wish to have the penis in direct contact with the mouth, vagina, or anus may find that condom use makes intercourse more pleasurable.
Condoms can be easily and discretely carried by men or women.
Minimal side effects. Because condoms are non-hormonal, they cause few medical problems among users. When used consistently and correctly, latex or plastic condoms with or without spermicide provide highly effective protection against bacterial and viral STDs. In vivo, condoms have proven to be highly effective against a wide variety of STDs such as gonorrhea, herpes simplex virus, and HIV infection. Of 10 cohort studies to date, evaluating condom use and HIV infection among heterosexual couples, all showed a protective effect for the consistent use of condoms.