Contraception and safe sex

Male condoms are the most common type of condoms. They're usually made of latex, which is a very thin type of rubber. A condom stops sperm from entering the vagina, mouth or anus (bottom). It stretches to fit over a penis and has to be put on when the penis is erect (stiff) to make sure it doesn't slip off or split during sex.

You can also get female condoms. These work by fitting loosely inside the vagina and stopping sperm entering the womb. See Brook's page about female condoms for details.

3 things to know about condoms

1. You can get condoms for free from sexual health services. Or you can buy them from pharmacies and supermarkets.
2. Most condom packets have an instruction leaflet to show you how to use them correctly.
3. It can help to practise with different types and sizes to make sure you're using one that's comfortable and fits well. Find out more on Brook's page about condoms.

How sex feels with a condom

Sex can feel different wearing a condom. But you can get extra-thin ones, ribbed ones, flavoured ones and more. They all protect you from STIs and pregnancy. If you find a type that fits well, it can help sex feel more pleasurable. Lots of people enjoy sex while using a condom.

It can feel different if someone is wearing a condom during sex. But remember that condoms are a good way to stop you from getting pregnant or getting STIs. It's important to talk about this before having sex.

If you use a female condom or a diaphragm, sex might feel a little different. Finding a type that fits well can make you feel more comfortable and enjoy sex better.

If you're female, you can use contraceptive pills to stop yourself from getting pregnant.

3 things to know about contraceptive pills

1. There are 2 different types. One is the combined pill, which is often just called 'the pill.' It includes 2 different hormones (oestrogen and progestogen).The other is called the POP (progestogen-only pill), which only contains only one hormone.
2. To make sure they work properly, it's best to take contraceptive pills at the same time every day.
3. The best way to know which pill is right for you is to see a doctor or nurse. They can give you advice about safety and any side effects.

Read Brook's pages about the combined pill and the progestogen-only pill to find out more.

This is a type of contraception for women. An implant is a small rod about the size of a matchstick. It is placed under the skin in your upper arm and releases hormones that work to prevent pregnancy. It needs to be put in by a doctor or nurse.

Once the implant is in your arm, it works for up to 3 years. Read more on Brook's page about the contraceptive implant.

Contraceptive injections are a way for women to make sure they don't get pregnant. There are 2 types of injections. One needs to be given every 8 weeks and the other type every 12 weeks.

The injection is given by a doctor or nurse and is injected into a muscle – usually in your bottom. Read more on Brook's page about the contraceptive injection.

A dental dam is a small thin latex sheet that is placed over the genitals or anus (bottom) before oral sex. Although not a contraceptive – it's not used to prevent pregnancy – a dental dam can be used to make oral sex safer. It can prevent STIs being passed from one person to another.

Dental dams aren't common, so if you can't find one you can use a condom that's cut open and spread flat.

Find out more on The Mix's page about dental dams.

Diaphragms are for women to use during sex to prevent pregnancy. But they don't protect against STIs. They're made from a soft rubber material and are shaped like a small bowl. Take a look at Brook's page about diaphragms to find out more about how to use them correctly and where to get them from.

If you're female and have had sex without using contraception – or if a condom has split – you can use emergency contraception to stop from getting pregnant. This is sometimes called 'the morning after pill.' The main pills used for emergency contraception are called Levonorgestrel and ellaOne.

Levonorgestrel
This can be taken up to 72 hours (up to 3 days) after having unprotected sex. You can get it free from a doctor, nurse or from a sexual health service. Or you can buy it from a pharmacy if you're 16 or over for around £25. 

ellaOne
This can be taken up to 120 hours (up to 5 days) after having unprotected sex. You can get it free from a doctor, nurse or from a sexual-health service. This pill is available for under-16s and costs around £35.

Read more on Brook's page about emergency contraception. Find a Brook centre where you can get the emergency pill.