Jessica Beach
PSYC 3260
Dr. Welsh
20 April 2016
Interview and Reaction Paper
Women of all ages that do not wish to become pregnant are faced with a difficult decision
when it comes to choosing a form of birth control. There are a ton of different methods to choose
from, as well as several different types of each method. The problem that a lot of women face is
a lack of education about the varying types, and I believe this may stem from a previously held
notion that birth control is taboo, especially when it comes to younger women. However, in
today’s society there is a lot less judgement surrounding the topic and all women are able to
make an educated decision when it comes to protecting themselves.
Condoms are likely the easiest form of contraception to understand, as well as the least
expensive and the easiest to obtain, as they do not require a prescription and can be purchased
virtually anywhere. Condoms can be up to 98% effective when they are used perfectly, but the
fact of the matter is that very few people (especially young adults) use them perfectly, which
reduces their effectiveness to around 82% (www.plannedparenthood.org). Condoms are a
method that I have personally used before, and I think they are a decent choice. While they may
not be the most effective, and you do have to pause for your partner to put one on, they are the
only form of contraception that protects against STI’s, and that protection is extremely important
to have. Many men will claim that using a condom reduces sensation and intimacy and that
putting one on ruins the moment, but that does not have to be the case. Putting on a condom can
easily be worked into foreplay, and there are several different types of condoms made to increase
pleasure. Condoms are made in many different textures and many of them have lubrication on
them that is designed to increase pleasure for both partners. One of the largest downsides to
using condoms as your only form of birth control is that one must be worn properly every single
time you decide to engage in sexual intercourse. Individuals who use another form of birth
control in conjunction with condoms usually do so to prevent sexually transmitted diseases if
they do not know their partner’s sexual history. Some individuals are allergic to latex, but there
are plenty of other options, such as condoms made out of polyurethane. In order to use a condom
effectively, it must be rolled onto the penis while it is erect, but before any sexual contact occurs.
It is also important to ensure that the condom is not inside out, which can be determined by
unrolling it a small amount before it is put onto the penis.
While condoms have been a primary method for contraception for quite some time,
newer methods have come onto the market in recent years, such as Nexplanon. In class, we were
