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.’
