The most freely available form of contraception is the condom. They are the only form of contraceptive that both prevents pregnancy and protects against sexually transmitted infections.

There are two types of condom available, the male and female, but the male condom is still the most commonly used. The office for National Statistics released figures from 2008/9 which evidenced that 25% if British women aged between 16 and 49 used a male condom as a method of contraception and only 2% used the female condom.

The male condom is commonly made of latex and is approximately 7 inches (18 to 19cm) long but other sizes are available. Some brands contain spermicides which help to destroy sperm and increase the effectiveness of the condom. Some oil based spermicides bought separately can damage latex condoms and diaphragms so care must be taken when choosing a spermicidal product.

There are many different styles of condom available such as ribbed, extra sensitive and flavoured but all of them work in the same way - as a barrier to sperm. The type of condom patients select will often depend on their personal preference. Ensure you know which type you have available in the pharmacy so you can recommend an appropriate product.

Some of the most important points to consider are:-

• Ensure all condoms stocked within your pharmacy carry the European CE Mark or the BSI Kitemark (BS EN 600) as this signifies that they have been quality checked
• Always ask the patient if they are aware of any allergies to latex; if so, there are condoms available that are made from synthetic materials called polyurethane and polyisoprene
• Check that the patient is not allergic to spermicides

These points will influence which type or brand of condom they decide to choose. As previously mentioned condoms reduce the risk on contracting STIs and prevent pregnancy but the efficacy of 90% is reliant on them being used correctly. Always advise patients to follow the manufacturers instructions.