Children or young people might hear other people talking about condoms, or hear it when they are watching TV or a film, or it might be mentioned in health education at school. Condoms are also advertised and available in shops. If you want to talk more about aspects of contraception and sexual health, you could look at the question: What is contraception? What is a STI? Also, look at the Talking About section which is organised by age, and you can look for more that supports talking and learning together about condoms, contraception and aspects of sexual health.
To return to our question: What is a condom?
3, 4 and 5-year-olds
6, 7 and 8-year-olds
Children of this age are unlikely to ask this question, but they may hear older children talk, or they may here conversations at home with older siblings. You may have already answered a question like: What is sex? You can look at that answer too, it may help with any follow up questions.
A condom is something that grown-ups use to stop them making a baby.
For older children in this age group who may have knowledge of what sex is, the answer for 9- and 10-year-olds might be helpful.
9 and 10-year-olds
A condom is something a man can use to prevent a woman getting pregnant when they have sex. The man puts the condom on his penis when they have sex. This means the sperm (his seed) cannot meet the woman’s egg. This means the woman cannot get pregnant.
11 and 12 year-olds
When a man and woman have sex, the man can ejaculate sperm into the woman’s vagina. If the sperm meets the woman’s egg, she may become pregnant.
If a woman and man are having sex but don’t want to have a baby, then they can use contraception. One kind of contraception is something a man can use. A condom.
A man fits the condom over his penis when it is erect. During sex, his sperm comes out when he ejaculates. The sperm collects in the condom instead of going into the woman’s vagina. So, the sperm cannot meet the egg. Condoms offer protection too. If an adult has an infection called a sexually transmitted infection (STI) it can be passed on to another person when they have sex. If a man or woman uses a condom this protects them from many STIs.
13, 14 and 15 year-olds
16, 17 and 18 year-olds
There is a lot of information here, and to make sure young people understand how to use condoms properly – so thinking about fit and the use of lube – they will benefit from some opportunities to chat more. To support your chats, take a look at Talking About Condoms (13-, 14- and 15-year-olds)and Talking About Condoms (16-, 17- and 18-year-olds). However, as a response to the question: What is a condom?
When a man and woman have sex, the man ejaculates sperm into the woman’s vagina. If the sperm meets the woman’s egg, she may become pregnant. If a woman and man are having sex but don’t want to have a baby, then they can use contraception. One kind of contraception is something a man can use. A condom.
A man fits the condom over his penis when it is erect. During sex, his sperm comes out when he ejaculates. The sperm collects in the condom instead of going into the woman’s vagina. So, the sperm cannot meet the egg.
There is also a condom that a woman can use. It is an internal condom that fits inside her vagina. During sex, the man’s sperm comes out when he ejaculates. The sperm collects in the internal condom so that it can’t meet the egg. So, it basically does the same job as the condom a man can use.
Condoms are 98% reliable at preventing a pregnancy if they are used correctly. Some people use condoms alongside other forms of contraception to increase their confidence in preventing pregnancy.
Condoms offer protection too. If an adult has an infection called a sexually transmitted infection (STI) it can be passed on to another person when they have sex. If a man or woman uses a condom this protects them from many STIs.
There are lots of local places to get free condoms – from a pharmacy or from a sexual health service