Condoms (also called external, or male condoms) help prevent pregnancy and reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). You put a condom on the penis before vaginal, anal or oral sex.

Leeds Sexual Health encourages the use of condoms to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. Whilst they offer some protection against pregnancy, there are other more reliable methods available.

• Free condoms are available to anyone of any age who visits Leeds Sexual Health – find your nearest clinic using the service finder.
• Some GPs also offer their patients free condoms- ask them next time you’re visiting.
• If you are under 25 you can access free condoms with a C-Card – use the service finder to find your nearest registration point.
• Yorkshire Mesmac offer a free condom postal service to men who have sex with men in Leeds.

For condoms to be effective they must be used correctly. Please see link below to a video providing guidance on correct condom use.

If you are 25 or under and live in Leeds, you can get free condoms by signing up for a C-Card at Well Wave.

As a member of the C-Card Scheme you have access to free condoms, lubricant, and oral/dental dams as well as lots of information and advice. You need to visit a Well Wave registration point to join the scheme. This scheme is for under 25s only.

Registering for a C-Card

A Well Wave C-Card is available to 13-24 year olds living in Leeds.

The C-Card gives you free and confidential access to condoms, dams, lube and leaflets from loads of Well Wave points across Leeds.

• Your card has no personal details on, just a registration number, and you can use it at any Well Wave point to pick up what you need, hassle free.
• They have a variety of external condoms in different colours, shapes, tastes, textures and sizes. You may want to try different ones and see what works for you.
• They also have internal condoms and oral sex dams available.
• When you visit Well Wave you can ask for specific products, or for a variety pack.
• All Well Wave products are high quality and vegan.
• They offer lube with all condoms as standard, for improved safety and feeling.

Important information

Registration

What happens at c-card registration?

• To get started you will have a registration chat with a Well Wave worker. This might last 10- 20 minutes, or a bit longer if you are under 16.
• The Well Wave worker will introduce themselves, explain confidentiality, and check if you have any questions or needs before you start.
• They will explain how the Well Wave card works, what products they have, and how to use them. They will also create space for you to ask any questions, talk about how things are going, and bring up any issues you’d like support with. Where it’s appropriate, they will demonstrate how to use condoms and dams and talk about lube.
• They won’t ask for much data, but will need to record your date of birth (for legal and safety reasons) and the first part of your postcode, and whether you have a latex allergy. They will also ask you optional questions about your experience, identity and needs, because we are trying to make sure Well Wave works well for everyone. You can choose whether to answer these questions or not.
• If you are under 16 we will also discuss healthy relationships, consent, the law around sex, if you are ready for a sexual relationship, keeping safe, and about how you feel about talking to your parents and carers about relationships, sex and sexual health.

Once registered you will be given a card and the chance to take away condoms, dams, lube and leaflets.

Your worker will add a ‘check in’ date for 6 months or a years time, to your c-card, depending on your age. If you go to a Well Wave point around the time of a ‘check in’ date, a worker will invite you for a check-in chat, and ask how things are going, if your needs have changed, or if there is any way they can support you. You don’t however have to wait for a check in to talk to us. Our door is open.

To find out more about c-card and the other services Well Wave offers, or to connect with a Well Wave worker, please visit their micro site.

The Caya Diaphragm is a “one size fits most” thin, soft dome made of silicone that fits inside the vagina covering the cervix (entrance to the womb). They stop sperm from passing through the entrance of the womb and when used with a spermicide (lubricant that kills sperm), they are up to 94% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Most people can use the Caya diaphragm and it has been found to fit 80% of women. However, they might not be suitable if you:

• Have had a baby within the last six weeks.
• Have ever had toxic shock syndrome.
• Cannot reach your cervix or have an unusually shaped or positioned cervix.
• Are not comfortable touching your genital area.
• Have weak vaginal muscles (prolapse).
• Have an allergy to the chemicals in spermicide.
• Have repeated urinary tract infections.
• Currently have a vaginal infection.

If any of these apply to you but you think you would like to use a diaphragm, we recommend making an appointment with one of our doctors or nurses to discuss the diaphragm and whether it is the best method for you in more detail.

Where can you get it?

You can get the Caya Diaphragm for free through the NHS from our clinics. You can also buy them at the pharmacist or online. They do not need to be fitted by a doctor or nurse, as they are designed in one size made to fit most women. Having a first appointment with a doctor or nurse to make sure you are confident with how it fits and how to use it is a good idea and may help you feel more confident with inserting and removing the diaphragm.

Female (internal) condoms are worn inside the vagina to prevent semen from getting into the womb. They are made from a thin, soft plastic. They can prevent pregnancy and STIs. When they are used correctly and consistently, female condoms are 95% effective at preventing pregnancy.

Natural family planning is the most acceptable method of preventing pregnancy for all faiths and cultures. This is a contraceptive method that shows you at what time during the month you can have sex without using any other contraception and with a low risk of pregnancy. You learn how to record fertility signals and identify less fertile windows when is safer to have sex.

Who can use it?

Most women are able to use natural family planning, however it’s not recommended to use one fertility signal alone: the most effective natural family planning tracks cycle length, the character of your cervical/vaginal discharge and your basal body temperature (temperature first thing in the morning before rising from bed). When used in this way natural family planning can be up to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

It is important to be aware that natural family planning is much less effective than other methods of contraception, including hormonal contraception and condoms.

There are many circumstances that may affect the natural planning method such as irregular periods, illness, alcohol, or drug intake among others, so it’s best to make an appointment with one of our nurses or doctors to discuss whether it is suitable for you if you are considering using it.