10 Reasons to Use Condoms

Condoms are one of the only contraceptive methods that provide protection against both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. When used correctly and consistently, they are highly effective at both. They are accessible without a prescription, affordable, hormone-free, and involve no health risks for the user. Whether you are in a committed relationship or not, sexually active or preparing for sexual activity, there are compelling health, practical, and relational reasons to use condoms consistently.

1. Protection Against STIs

Condoms are the only form of contraception that significantly reduces the transmission of sexually transmitted infections including HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, trichomoniasis, and hepatitis B. When used correctly and consistently, condoms reduce the risk of HIV transmission by approximately 85% or more, and significantly reduce transmission of other STIs spread through body fluids. No other contraceptive method provides this protection.

2. Highly Effective Pregnancy Prevention

With perfect use, external (male) condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy. With typical (real-world) use, they are approximately 87% effective. Combined with another contraceptive method (the “dual method”), effectiveness increases further. For people who cannot or choose not to use hormonal contraception, condoms are the primary barrier method available.

3. No Prescription Required

Condoms are available over the counter at pharmacies, grocery stores, convenience stores, and sexual health clinics. They require no medical appointment, no prescription, and no waiting period. This accessibility makes them available to everyone, including young people and those without ready access to healthcare.

4. No Hormonal Side Effects

Unlike hormonal contraceptives (the pill, patch, ring, shot, implant, or hormonal IUD), condoms contain no hormones and produce no systemic effects on the body. They don’t affect menstrual cycles, mood, libido, or any other hormonal process. For individuals who cannot use hormonal contraception due to medical conditions, or who prefer to avoid it, condoms are the primary non-hormonal contraceptive option.

5. Affordable

Condoms are one of the least expensive contraceptive options available. They are often provided free of charge at sexual health clinics, Planned Parenthood locations, college health centers, and through public health programs. Even when purchased, they are significantly less expensive per use than most alternative contraceptive methods.

6. Protection Regardless of Partnership Status

Many STIs are transmitted by people who do not know they are infected, because many infections (including HIV, chlamydia, and herpes) are often asymptomatic. A partner can be honest and still not know their STI status. Condoms provide protection from transmission regardless of whether either partner knows their current status, making them valuable in both new and established relationships.

7. Easy to Use When Stored Correctly

Condoms require no advance preparation beyond having them available, no daily schedule (unlike hormonal pills), and no medical procedure. When stored correctly (at room temperature, away from heat and direct light, and before their expiration date) they are ready to use on demand.

8. Empowers Both Partners

Condoms give both partners a tangible role in protection. Unlike contraceptive methods that are managed entirely by one partner (implants, IUDs, pills), condom use is visible to both partners and agreed upon in the moment. This transparency supports shared responsibility for sexual health and can facilitate conversations about protection and boundaries.

9. Protection Against Multiple STIs Simultaneously

A single condom protects against multiple STIs and pregnancy simultaneously. No other method covers this range: hormonal contraceptives prevent pregnancy but provide no STI protection; PrEP prevents HIV but not other STIs or pregnancy. For individuals who want protection against the full spectrum of risks, condoms provide the broadest coverage in a single, accessible method.

10. Easily Combined with Other Methods

Condoms work effectively alongside other contraceptive methods, and combining them (called dual protection) significantly reduces the probability of both pregnancy and STI transmission below what either method achieves alone. A person who uses hormonal contraception for high-reliability pregnancy prevention adds meaningful STI protection by using condoms as well. Someone on PrEP for HIV prevention reduces other STI transmission risks significantly by using condoms. The additive protection of combining methods makes condoms valuable even for people already using other contraceptives — not as a replacement for them but as a complement. Consistent condom use is a foundational element of sexual health practice precisely because it is the one method that addresses both primary categories of sexual health risk simultaneously, accessibly, and without medical involvement. No other single tool in sexual health achieves this combination of benefits.