Barrier Methods

What is it and how does it work?⁽⁴⁵⁾

• Condoms are a type of barrier method contraception.
• Condoms prevent the exchange of bodily fluids (semen and vaginal secretions), which help to reduce skin to skin contact and spread of bodily fluids.

How do I use a condom?

External Condoms

• Before any sexual contact, gently roll the condom onto the penis when it is erect⁽⁴⁵⁾
• Keep it on the entire time there is any sexual contact. Use a new condom each time you have sex⁽⁴⁵⁾

Internal Condoms⁽⁴³⁾

• Find a comfortable position and relax
• If the condom is going inside a vagina, squeeze the condom so that the inner ring is folded, slide it into the vagina and use your fingers to slide it in as far as possible
• If the condom is to be used for anal sex, remove the inner ring and use your fingers to push the condom into your anus

What does it prevent?⁽⁴⁵⁾

• Condoms made of lambskin protect you from pregnancy, but NOT STIs.
• Latex and plastic condoms prevent both pregnancy and STIs.
• Condoms help reduce the transmission of genital warts and herpes - but are less effective as these STIs can be transmitted from skin to skin in areas that the condom does not cover.

What is its effectiveness?⁽⁴⁵⁾

• Condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy if you use them exactly how they are supposed to be used every time.
• It is very difficult to use them exactly how they are supposed to be used, so, in reality, they are only about 85% effective.

What else to know?

• Check the expiry date on the condom packaging, if it is past its expiry date, do not use it. Expired condoms are less effective⁽⁷⁷⁾
• When opening the condom packaging, be careful not to rip the condom - and don't open it with your teeth or scissors, you may accidentally rip the condom⁽⁷⁷⁾
• Condoms can and should be used with other forms of birth control. This is because other methods of contraception only prevent pregnancy, while condoms prevent both pregnancy and STIs.⁽⁷⁷⁾

What is it and how does it work?⁽⁴⁷⁾

• Spermicide is a cream or foam that is inserted into the vagina.
• Spermicide damages or “kills” the sperm, which prevents it from meeting the egg.

What does it prevent?⁽⁴⁷⁾

Prevents pregnancy but does not prevent transmission of STIs.

What is its effectiveness?⁽⁴⁸⁾

Spermicide is 72% effective

What else should I know?⁽⁴⁷⁾

• To be most effective, spermicide should be used with another form of barrier contraception (cervical caps or diaphragms).
• Use condoms with spermicide to prevent STIs

What is it and how does it work?⁽⁴⁹⁾

• Cervical caps are placed in the vagina and covers the cervix⁽⁴⁹⁾
• It blocks the sperm from entering the cervix and from traveling to meet the egg⁽⁴⁹⁾.
• To be most effective, the cervical cap should be used with spermicide⁽⁴⁹⁾.
• Leave the cervical cap in place for a minimum or 6 hours after sex but not more than 48 hours⁽⁵⁰⁾.
• If you decide to have sex again within 6 hours, remove the cap, add more spermicide and insert it again⁽⁵⁰⁾.
• You will need a prescription from your doctor to get a cervical cap to make sure that it is the right size and fits correctly, so talk to a healthcare professional⁽⁵¹⁾.

What does it prevent?

• Reduces your chance of pregnancy⁽⁵²⁾
• The cervical cap can help to prevent STIs IF used with latex condoms⁽⁵²⁾

What is its effectiveness?

• If you have never given birth before, the cervical cap is 86% effective
• If you have previously given birth, the cervical cap is 71% effective
• To make the cervical cap as effective as possible:
  • Insert the cervical cap before sex and use it every time you have sex.
  • Make sure you insert it properly and that it is covering your cervix
  • Use a 2nd method of birth control (such as condoms)⁽⁵³⁾

What else to know?

• Cervical caps should be safe to use for most people, but if you experience any of the following, this method may not be right for you⁽⁵²⁾:
  • Have difficulty or don’t feel comfortable inserting the cervical cap
  • If within the last 6 weeks you have given birth or had an abortion
  • If your skin reacts to the materials that make up the cervical cap or to spermicide
  • If you have a health condition affecting your cervix (cervical cancer)
  • If you or your partner lives with HIV/AIDS
  • If you previously have had toxic shock syndrome
• Use condoms with a cervical cap to prevent STIs⁽⁵²⁾

What is it and how does it work?

• Diaphragms are small flexible dome-shaped cups that are inserted into the vagina and covers the cervix⁽⁵⁵⁾.
• It works by blocking the path of the sperm from entering into the uterus and fertilizing the egg⁽⁵⁵⁾.
• You will need a prescription from your doctor to get a diaphragm to make sure that it is the right size and fits correctly, so talk to a healthcare professional⁽⁵⁶⁾

What does it prevent?

Diaphragms help to prevent pregnancy, but does not protect you from STIs⁽⁵⁴⁾

What is its effectiveness?

• With perfect use, diaphragms are 94% effective if you use it correctly every time you have sex⁽⁵⁴⁾
• However, it is easy to forget or make a mistake so in reality, they are only about 88% effective⁽⁵⁴⁾

What else should I know?

To be most effective, it should be used with spermicide⁽⁵⁷⁾. Diaphragms should be safe to use for most people, but if you experience any of the following, this method may not be right for you:

• Have difficulty or don’t feel comfortable inserting the diaphragm
• If within the last 6 weeks you have given birth or had an abortion
• If your skin reacts to the materials that make up the diaphragm or to spermicide
• If you have a health condition affecting your cervix (cervical cancer)
• If you or your partner lives with HIV/AIDS
• If you previously have had toxic shock syndrome
• Use condoms with a diaphragm to prevent STIs⁽⁵⁷⁾