For birth control and preventing sexually transmitted infections, condoms totally rock. Use them the right way and they're 97 percent effective in preventing pregnancy, and athey're one of the best ways to keep you from getting infections other than complete abstinence.

Use them incorrectly, and you lose a lot of that effectiveness. Keep reading to make sure you never use a condom incorrectly.

The Ups
Condoms are inexpensive, easy to get, and effective. You can often pick them up for free at AIDS prevention centers and family planning clinics. Or you can buy them at any convenience store, grocery store, or drugstore, where they cost anywhere from 50 cents to more than a buck a piece, depending on if you want ribbed condoms, colored condoms, or other fancy effects. Some of the condoms you can get today are very strong, thin, and well-lubricated. Guys, you should check out a few different kinds and find a brand that fits well and is comfortable for you.

The Downs
So what's the number one problem with condoms? Duh...they get between you and your partner right when you want a little flesh-on-flesh contact. Sorry, but making it without a condom is like playing around with a loaded pistol.

Ever see what syphilis does to a pretty face? Or thought about telling your parents that you or your girlfriend is pregnant? (Shudder!)

Making It Great
Now for the more manageable problem. Both men and women complain that using condoms interrupts sex — you just try finding, opening, and rolling on a slippery condom in the dark when you're so heated up you can barely keep your eyes from crossing!

You can reduce the interruption in a few ways:
First, practice, practice, practice! Before you hop in the sack, learn to open the package and roll it on — girls, you can use a zucchini or any other penis-shaped vegetables for this. When you're with your partner and ready for intercourse, keep a few condoms and some lube in easy reach. Finally, make putting on the condom a part of foreplay — yes, condoms can be sexy if you get over your embarrassment! And always remember — this is supposed to be fun. It really is possible to take care of yourself without making it all seem like work.

Finally, some men and women are allergic to latex, spermicide, or some lubes. If you or your partner gets irritated and itchy after sex, it could be one of these problems. Call a health center and discuss your alternatives — you may be able to use a different type of spermicide or lube, or you may have to wear condoms made of lambskin or polyurethane instead of latex. These other kinds of condoms definitely do the trick for birth control, but aren't as effective at preventing as many infections as latex condoms are.

So there you are...condoms in a nutshell. The bottom line is that condoms aren't so bad...they work great, they're inexpensive, and most of the big problems can be worked around.