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.