what are different types of contraception?

Catholics tend to divide contraception into two camps: natural, and artificial. Natural contraception is basically abstinence- you avoid having sex either altogether, or, at the very least, when you are most fertile. The latter is known as "natural family planning", "fertility-awareness based methods', or, more colloquially, "the rhythm method".

Artificial contraception includes any form of birth control that involves preventing sperm and egg from meeting while having sex- including barrier methods like condoms, hormonal methods that prevent ovulation like the pill, and any sterilization procedure like tubal ligation.

It bears reminding, however, that regardless of official church positions, nearly all Catholics are using some form of birth control not allowed by the church: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2011/04/14/98-percen...

Hope that helps!

Condoms could be used as a balloon or to protect a gay lover from HIV.

The problem is contraception and if a condom is used for that purpose then it is a problem. God directed people to abstain from sex with anyone but their marital partners and told married people to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth as I recall. All Christian denominations considered contraception sinful even though secular people had used contraception for at least centuries. Casanova was believed to have used condoms derived from sheep.

However in the 1930s the Anglicans did a backflip and embraced the secular position. Since then I believe all denominations except Catholic have done the same. I have however met individual protestant Christians who stick with the Biblical view and have also read about some evangelicals who argue that evangelicals should. Unfortunately thought that is lost on the leadership as wordly is easier.

A good summary of the Catholic position is from a Pope (first link below) in 1968.

Many consider his warnings about the outcome of accepting contraception to be prophetic.

The Catholic Church is against the use of contraception since it stops life from happening. The only form of contraception the Catholic Church believes in is natural contraception, which is simply abstinence (chastity). That is it.

All forms of contraception, except having sex outside the most fertile time, is frowned upon by the catholic church.

condoms, tubal ligation, and vasectomies are all forms of birth control to the catholic church

Yes, condoms count.