Why has the use of condoms increased in recent years?

The correct answer is Option (1) → They protect the user from contracting STIs and AIDS

Condoms are a barrier method of contraception. They are thin rubber or latex sheaths that stop the semen from entering the female reproductive tract, and so prevent conception. Their use has grown because of an additional benefit: they also protect the user from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and AIDS.

Option (1) They protect the user from contracting STIs and AIDS — Correct. A condom keeps body fluids apart during coitus. So it protects against STIs and AIDS as well as preventing pregnancy, and this is why its use has gone up.

Option (2) They inhibit ovulation and implantation — Incorrect. Inhibiting ovulation and implantation is the action of the oral pills, which are small doses of progestogens or progestogen-estrogen combinations. A condom has no effect on ovulation.

Option (3) They increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus — Incorrect. Increased phagocytosis of sperms in the uterus is the action of IUDs (intra-uterine devices) placed in the uterus. A condom works outside the uterus.

Option (4) They make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to the sperms — Incorrect. Making the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to sperms is the extra action of hormone-releasing IUDs, not of condoms.

NCERT Extract:
Population Stabilisation and Birth Control – “… In barrier methods, ovum and sperms are prevented from physically meeting with the help of barriers. Such methods are available for both males and females. Condoms (Figure 3.1 a, b) are barriers made of thin rubber/ latex sheath that are used to cover the penis in the male or vagina and cervix in the female, just before coitus so that the ejaculated semen would not enter into the female reproductive tract. This can prevent conception. … Use of condoms has increased in recent years due to its additional benefit of protecting the user from contracting STIs and AIDS.”
Population Stabilisation and Birth Control – “… IUDs increase phagocytosis of sperms within the uterus and the Cu ions released suppress sperm motility and the fertilising capacity of sperms. The hormone releasing IUDs, in addition, make the uterus unsuitable for implantation and the cervix hostile to the sperms.”