Side Effects, Health Benefits, and Health Risks

Side Effects

None

Known Health Benefits

Known Health Risks

Help protect against:

  • Risks of pregnancy
  • STIs, including HIV

May help protect against:

  • Conditions caused by STIs:
    • Recurring pelvic inflammatory disease and chronic pelvic pain
    • Cervical cancer
    • Infertility (male and female)

Extremely rare:

  • Severe allergic reaction (among people with latex allergy)
Why Some Men and Women Say They Like Condoms
  • Have no hormonal side effects
  • Can be used as a temporary or backup method
  • Can be used without seeing a health care provider
  • Are sold in many places and generally easy to obtain
  • Help protect against both pregnancy and STIs, including HIV
  • Can make sex last longer