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