Overview A male condom is a sheath designed to fit over a man's erect penis and prevent passage of sperm into the female reproductive tract.
Condoms come dry or lubricated with a water-based lubricant or spermicide.
In addition to preventing pregnancy, latex condoms are also very effective in protection against most STIs. Return to fertility Immediately upon discontinuation Top of page Key issues User Issues Condoms in various forms have been used for centuries. The promotion of condoms for HIV prevention led to an increase in research and technical knowledge during the past decade and the first substantial modifications in manufacturing of condoms since the 1930s. If used consistently and correctly, condoms can be very effective. Laboratory studies show that sperm and disease organisms cannot pass through an intact latex condom.