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Barrier contraception
Background
B.C. type	Barrier
First use	latex Condoms late 1930's rubber Diaphragm 1838
Failure rates (per year)
Perfect use	method dependent%
Typical use	method dependent%
Usage
User reminders	Must be applied prior to intercourse.
Clinic review	Size assessment for some methods
Advantages
STD protection	Yes
Benefits	No external drugs taken
Disadvantages
Weight gain	No

Barrier contraception methods attempt to prevent pregnancy by forming an impenetrable barrier between sexual partners.

[edit] Protection against disease

Some barrier methods provide good protection against sexually transmitted disease (STD). Using one of these devices is referred to as practicing safer sex.

• Condom, male or female
• Dental dams do not have any contraceptive uses, but offer STD protection during oral sex.

Some evidence indicates that cells in the cervix are particularly susceptible to infection. Devices that cover the cervix may provide some protection from STDs; however, this protection is much less than that provided by devices that cover more of the male or female genitalia.

• Cervical cap
• Contraceptive sponge
• Diaphragm (contraception)
• Lea's shield

[edit] History

The earliest recorded barrier methods are pessaries (vaginal suppositories) in Egypt.

Use of the diaphragm and reusable condoms became common after the invention of rubber vulcanization in the early nineteenth century.

Condoms became even more popular after the 1930s invention of latex, which enabled the creation of thinner, disposible prophylactics.