My Doctor Online The Permanente Medical Group
Are you having back pain with any of the following?
- Severe pain, weakness or tingling in your leg(s).
- Difficulty stopping urination or loss of control of bladder or bowels.
- Unexplained fever, nausea or vomiting.
- A history of cancer or unexplained weight loss.
We understand that you are experiencing one or more of the health issues that might be impacting your back pain.
We recommend that you discuss these health issues with your doctor before proceeding with this program.
Once you are cleared by your doctor to do this program, we hope it helps you find relief from your back pain.
Condom
The male condom, or rubber, is a sheath, usually made out of latex. The condom is rolled down over an erect penis before sex. The condom catches sperm so that it does not reach the egg.
It works fairly well if you use it the right way. The risk of pregnancy if you use only condoms is about 15 percent. To decrease your chances of becoming pregnant, use vaginal spermicide with a condom. Insert the spermicide into your vagina before sex and have your partner also use a condom.
Risk of pregnancy
The condom is a moderately effective method of birth control. The risk of pregnancy if you use only condoms is about 15 percent. This means that if 100 women use only condoms to prevent pregnancy for one year, 15 women will become pregnant. The man has to put the condom on his penis before there is any sexual contact. If he doesn’t, then the risk of pregnancy is much higher than 15 percent.
Do not use condoms that come prepackaged with spermicidal lubricant on them already. You can use a vaginal spermicide, as discussed above, to increase the effectiveness of the condom. Women with HIV or women at high risk for catching HIV should not use spermicide. Spermicide may cause skin irritation that can increase the risk of HIV infection or infection with other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
Advantages
- The condom provides good protection against many sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), even HIV.
- You can get condoms at almost any drug store or supermarket.
Disadvantages
- Some people feel like stopping to put on a condom is an interruption when they are in the mood.
- Some people are allergic to latex so they cannot use regular condoms. The substitutes, like polyurethane, don't give as much sensation, and animal skin condoms don't protect against STDs.
- Other methods of birth control are more effective.
How to use a condom
If you use latex condoms, never use lotions, baby oil, Vaseline, or cold cream – the oil in these products can weaken the condom. With condoms, always use a water-based lubricant like Astroglide, KY, or Probe.
To put on the condom
- Put the condom on before the penis touches the vagina, mouth, or anus. Hold the condom by the tip to squeeze out the air. Leave some space at the tip to hold the ejaculate (cum).
- Unroll the condom all the way down over the erect penis.
- To increase effectiveness, use with vaginal spermicide.
To remove the condom
- After sex, the man should hold the condom at the bottom rim and pull out slowly while the penis is still hard.
Use a new condom if you want to have sex again.
If you have an emergency medical condition, call 911 or go to the nearest hospital. An emergency medical condition is any of the following: (1) a medical condition that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity (including severe pain) such that you could reasonably expect the absence of immediate medical attention to result in serious jeopardy to your health or body functions or organs; (2) active labor when there isn't enough time for safe transfer to a Plan hospital (or designated hospital) before delivery, or if transfer poses a threat to your (or your unborn child's) health and safety, or (3) a mental disorder that manifests itself by acute symptoms of sufficient severity such that either you are an immediate danger to yourself or others, or you are not immediately able to provide for, or use, food, shelter, or clothing, due to the mental disorder.
This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of specific medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other health care professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have additional questions, please consult with your doctor. If you have questions or need more information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist. Kaiser Permanente does not endorse the medications or products mentioned. Any trade names listed are for easy identification only.