1. Female Condom

Female condom is a polyurethane sheath. One end is inserted into the vagina while the other remains outside of the vagina. It contains Silicone lubricant.

Its effectiveness is 95% with perfect use and 80% with typical use.

Advantages

• It has a dual protection against pregnancy and STI
• It is accessible without prescription
• comfortable

Disadvantages

• Coitus dependent
• Expensive
• challenge to use in relationship with weak partner cooperation

1. Male Condom

It available in latex, lambskin and polyurethane. All of them effectively prevent from pregnancy. But Lambskin is not recommended for infection prevention cause it contains small pores that may permit the passage of bacteria and viruses.

Its effectiveness is 98% with perfect use and 85% with typical use

Advantages

• prevents both pregnancy and STI
• accessible without prescription
• causes almost no medical side effects

Disadvantages

• Coitus dependent
• latex allergy

1. Diaphragm

A thin rubber disc, placed in vagina before intercourse. It covers the cervix - gateway of uterus and stops sperm entering the uterus. It doesn’t prevent the risk of transmission of STIs so it has to be used with condoms. Diaphragm and Condoms used in conjunction which chemicals that immobilize sperm, are about 95% effective.

There are no side effects and offers some protection against cervical cancer.

It must be placed by skilled doctors.

Gives better protection against pregnancy when combined with spermicide.

1. Spermicides