Barrier Methods.

Barrier Methods include condoms for males and females, diaphragms and cervical caps. Male and female condoms are available "over the counter," which means they can be bought at a store without a prescription. Your health care provider must prescribe the diaphragm and cervical cap.

The male latex condom protects against many sexually transmitted infections—called STIs for short—which are diseases, infections or illnesses that can spread from one person to another through sexual contact. Some examples of STIs are chlamydia, herpes, HIV, gonorrhea and syphilis.