How NOT to Use a Condom: 6 Ways You’re Doing it Wrong

 

While condoms are great for protecting your wellbeing against STIs, using them incorrectly means you’ll reap none of the sexual health benefits. We spoke to sexual wellness expert Tracy Wilson about the ways in which you’re using a condom wrong.

 

1. Get the Wrong Size: According to Wilson, ‘There are three big problems with using condoms that are too big, especially when they’re too wide. Ever worn a pair of shoes that’s just a shade too big and suffered the consequences later? Then you already know one of them – friction. Fortunately, blisters aren’t the problem here, but condoms can break when there’s too much friction. Since they don’t fit as snugly, too-big condoms can also leak. And, worst of all, a condom that’s too loose may come off completely during sex. Then, the whole scenario moves from protected to unprotected – and possibly very awkward and uncomfortable – in one fell swoop.Latex condoms are stretchy and should fit snugly, so, while it’s fine to comparison shop for a favourite, in most cases, standard sizes do the job.’

 

2. Storing it in the Wrong Place: Wilson notes, ‘Walking around with a wallet full of condoms isn’t smart. Especially if they’re in a back pocket, wallets are also home to friction, heat and pressure. All three make latex weaker, so wallet-stored condoms are some of the least reliable. This rule goes double for glove compartments (and anyplace else that’s subject to extreme temperatures). Just like candles, red wine and oral contraceptives, condoms should be stored in a cool, dry place.’

 

3. Using an Old Condom: ‘Condoms have expiration dates for a reason,’ Wilson explains. ‘Old latex becomes brittle, even if it’s been stored somewhere with much better climate control than a back pocket. First step: Check the date on the package. If it’s in the past, pitch it. Second step: Look at the condom itself. If it’s dried out, sticky or brittle, it’s too old to use. Throw it away.’

 

4. Tearing It Open:Wilson points out, ‘Latex is a good barrier against semen and pathogens, but not against teeth. Even if it’s not visibly punctured or torn, a bitten condom may still be damaged enough to break. Aside from all of those actual risks, lube can taste gross. Don’t look for anything sharp as a substitute for canines and incisors: Scissors, knives, long fingernails and basically anything else that’s sharper than fingertips are also on the “Do Not Use” list. It’s a little like that rule about not putting anything in your ear that’s smaller than your elbow. A run-of-the-mill condom wrapper has serrated edges to make it easier to open, and the foil or plastic material tears easily once it’s started. It’s a two-handed – but zero-toothed – operation.’

 

5. Putting it On Wrong: ‘Here are the right-way basics,’ Wilson advises. ‘Carefully remove the condom from the package and check for damage. Make sure it’s right-side up, with the tip of the condom poking up from the centre (not wrapping around from the outside). Squeeze the air out of the tip, leave about a thumb’s width of space, and place it on the penis (or toy, if that’s what’s being sheathed up in this scenario). Unroll it all the way down, squeezing out any air bubbles.’

 

6. Using the Wrong Lube: Wilson details, ‘Lots of rubbers are pre-lubricated to compensate for their annoyingly high coefficient of friction, but many people need (or want) things to be slipperier, or want a different lube than the ones that go on at the condom factory. But most of the slick substances likely to be around the house – like petroleum jelly or vegetable oil – don’t mix well with condoms. There are almost as many lubes to choose from as there are condoms, but water-soluble lubricants are the only ones that team up well with latex. Lubricants made with oil or petroleum products will weaken latex condoms, making them likelier to break.’

Categories: Condom, Condoms, latex, latex condoms, Lubricant, nbsp, wilson, wrong size

Are You Suffering From an Allergy to Condoms?

An allergy to condoms can be a serious threat to your sexual wellness and wellbeing, but how would you know if you suffered from such a thing? Around one percent of the population, a latex allergy is a very real concern, and makes having safe sex a much more difficult prospect.

 

Even people who do not start out with a latex allergy can develop one in later life after being exposed to latex on a frequent basis.

 

According to experts, allergies to condoms are caused by latex in general and also by an allergy to the protein that is used to make the latex into condoms.

 

Those who suffer from a condom allergy will also find that they are sensitive to other products containing latex, such as urinary catheters, syringes and latex gloves. It is therefore a common allergy for people who work in the health field, as they can develop a sensitivity after handling these products numerous times.

 

People who have a latex allergy can also find that they are sensitive to certain foods that contain a similar version of the protein, such as bananas, avocados, tomatoes, chestnuts and kiwis.

 

If you think you have an allergy, you should also attempt to find out whether it is the latex that you are allergic to, or the spermicide in the condoms, as some people can be allergic to this rather than to the actual condom.

 

One thing you could try, if you experience symptoms of an allergy during intercourse, is switching to a brand of condom that does not contain a spermicide, or contains a different type of spermicide. This allergy is less common than a latex allergy, but it can cause similar symptoms such as painful blisters, abrasions and swelling of the genital area.

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8 Mistakes People Make When Using Condoms

The condom has done a lot for sexual health and wellness, not only protecting your wellbeing against unwanted pregnancies, but also sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Wellness writer Tracy V. Wilson, site director for HowStuffWorks.com, explains, ‘Condoms are cheap, easy to get and pretty good at their jobs…Male latex condoms, used consistently and correctly, are up to 94% effective at preventing the transmission of HIV and other STIs. And as long as they’re used consistently and correctly, they’re also up to 98% effective at preventing pregnancy.’ The key words Wilson uses are “consistently” and “correctly”. It’s incredible that, for such a simple piece of latex, so many people have found a plethora of ways to use a condom wrong.

 

1. The wrong size: According to Wilson, ‘There are three big problems with using condoms that are too big, especially when they’re too wide.’ The friction that occurs from too-wide condoms can cause the condom to break; the non-snug fit can cause the condom to leak; and – worst of all – a condom that’s too loose may come off completely during sex.

 

2. The wrong storage: While storing an emergency condom in your wallet is a good idea, this is not a good place to keep your whole stash. Wilson notes that wallets are ‘home to friction, heat and pressure. All three make latex weaker…This rule goes double for glove compartments (and anyplace else that’s subject to extreme temperatures).’ Always store your condoms in a cool, dry place.

 

3. The wrong date: You may not fancy stopping to check the expiration date on your condoms in the heat of the moment, but you’ll be glad that you did. ‘Condoms have expiration dates for a reason,’ Wilson warns. ‘Old latex becomes brittle, even if it’s been stored somewhere with much better climate control than a back pocket.’

 

4. The wrong opener: Using your teeth to open the condom packet seems cool and/or time-efficient, but you should NEVER do it. Wilson points out, ‘Even if it’s not visibly punctured or torn, a bitten condom may still be damaged enough to break…Scissors, knives, long fingernails and basically anything else that’s sharper than fingertips are also on the “Do Not Use” list.’

 

5. The wrong fix: Whether your condom breaks, is too tight or you put it on the wrong way, the worst thing to do is ignore it and keep going. The second worst thing is to flip it inside out and carry on. If something goes awry, just throw it away and get a new one.

 

6. The wrong lube: Wilson comments, ‘There are almost as many lubes to choose from as there are condoms, but water-soluble lubricants are the only ones that team up well with latex. Lubricants made with oil or petroleum products will weaken latex condoms, making them likelier to break.’

 

7. The wrong time: ‘Somewhere between 17 and 50% of people wait even later than the last possible minute, putting a condom on after starting sex,’ says Wilson. ‘That unprotected contact increases the risk of pregnancy and STI transmission. The right time to put a condom on is before sex, not during.’ Moreover, you shouldn’t wait too long before you take the condom off, as the rubber can go saggy as soon as the man does, meaning that semen can leak out of the condom. The man should remove his penis immediately after ejaculation, and remove the condom carefully to avoid spilling its contents.

 

8. The wrong recycling: Reusing condoms is an absolute no-no – I cannot stress this enough. It won’t work, it will be completely gross and it’s just not worth the bother. Throw it away, get a new one, every time.

Categories: Condom, Condoms, latex, latex condoms, Lubricant, nbsp, storage, wilson

Common Condom Mishaps You Could Be Making

Condoms are a popular contraceptive as they are cheap, effective and easy to buy. They’re also the only way to protect against sexually transmitted diseases. But it seems that the male condom is only effective 94 per cent of the time, when used properly, at protecting against HIV and other STIs, and 98 per cent against unwanted pregnancy. If condoms are not used consistently and properly, this rate immediately drops. While consistently is easy enough to manage, it seems that ‘properly’ is less easy – many people get this wrong. They ought to be foolproof given their ease of use, but you would be surprised how many people don’t use them in the right way. Here are the most common mistakes people make that could be putting their health at risk or increasing the chance of conception.

Getting the wrong size

While it may be an ego-boost to have an extra large pack of rubbers on your bedside table, getting the wrong size could put you at risk in more ways than one. Firstly, friction can occur when you’ve picked a big condom that doesn’t fit but blisters aren’t the problem here. Friction can cause the condom to rip, and that leads to leaks. Worst of all, when a condom is too big, it can come off completely during sex. Beyond simply awkward, it leads to you having protected sex to unprotected in seconds. Latex condoms are stretchy and should be a snug fit, so for most people standard sizes are the best choice.

Using a wallet as a condom storage unit

For most men, using a wallet as an emergency condom storage is the easiest choice. But walking around with a wallet full of condoms isn’t the smartest idea, particularly if they are in your back pocket as they’ll be susceptible to friction, heat and pressure. None of these are the best home to latex, as it makes them weaker. The same rule applies when it comes to glove compartments, or anywhere else that’s subject to extreme temperatures. You need to store condoms in a cool, dry place in order for them to be at their best.

Using condoms that are out of date

Best before dates don’t just apply to food – condoms expire and after that date, they’re no longer effective. Old latex becomes brittle which makes it easier to split and rip, and the spermicide it is coated in will also be ineffective. Firstly, check the date on the packet and stick to it, and if the condom itself is brittle and dried out, get rid of it.

Opening a condom with you teeth

It may look cool but opening a condom with your teeth puts you at risk of damaging it and ripping the delicate latex. Even if it’s not visibly punctured, a bitten condom could still be damaged enough to break. Beyond that, lube tastes revolting and isn’t something you want in your mouth! Likewise, don’t look to scissors or knives to open the packaging. The serrated edges make the packaging very easy to get into with just your hands, so there is no need to use any sharp implements.

 

Putting it on wrong The classic reason why condoms fail is that they haven’t been put on properly. The most common reasons are putting them on inside out, flipping it inside out and using it again, picking a condom that’s too tight or too big, or only partially unrolling it. It’s important that you get a condom that fits properly, and that you squeeze the excess air out before you begin having sex. Roll it fully along the shaft of the penis and ensure that it is in date.

Categories: Advice, Condom, condom storage, Condoms, latex, people, properly, sexual health