Effect of condom use on sexual function

Abstract

Objectives This work aimed to study the effect of condom use on the sexual function of males and females, who use condoms in their sexual relations in Egypt. Background Sexual health is a state of physical, emotional, mental, and social well-being, not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction, or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination, and violence. Patients and methods The current study was a cross-sectional study, which was carried out between October 2021 and January 2022 in the outpatient clinic of Menoufia University Hospital. The study included a questionnaire for 150 males and females, who use condoms in their sexual relationships. All study procedures were carried out and were approved by the Ethics Committee of Menoufia Faculty of Medicine. Results The condom decreased enjoyment in 46.7% of participants. Regarding condom problems, the condom slipped off in 27.3% followed by unsatisfied sex (23.3%) and dryness (22.7%) for females. For males, the unsatisfied sex was 34% followed by a slipped condom (20.7%) and loss of erection (20%). Participants of the study reported that 43.3% were obliged to use a condom because no other safe medical contraceptive method was available and 61.3% of their partners wanted to change the condom to a contraceptive method used by women. Unsatisfied sex with condom use was the main reason to shift to a contraceptive method used by wives in 37.3%. The majority of participants (83.3%) did not abuse their partners verbally on top of condom use. Conclusion Our study included condom discomfort and associated problems and reported problems of loss of sensation, erection problems, allergy to latex, condom size, dryness, and decreased sensation.