How to put on a condom correctly
(It's crucial to use condoms carefully, correctly
and consistently. Please note that there are detailed instructions
for correct usage included in the packaging. Be sure to read and understand
these instruction before use.)
1. Storage. Store condoms in a cool, dry place because
if condoms are exposed to air, heat and light, they are more likely
to break. Don't keep condoms in a wallet, back pocket or
glove compartment for an extended period of time.
2. Don't mix alcohol or drugs with sex! First of all be
aware that drugs and alcohol, can impair your judgement, so you
may forget to use a condom. Alcohol or drugs may cause you
to use them improperly. Alcohol will also impair your sexual performance
- so choose one or the other! Unwanted pregnancy and STD
transmission due to alcohol use is a massive problem in Northern
European countries including Ireland, the UK and Northern Ireland.
3. Check the expiration date. If the condom is torn, brittle,
stiff, or sticky, throw it away and use another one .
4. Be careful when removing it from the wrapper. Condoms
are usually rolled into a ring shape. They are individually sealed
in aluminum foil or plastic, but be very careful when removing the
condom from the packaging — don't tear or damage the condom - and
keep sharp fingernails, teeth and jewellery away from the condom.
5. If the man is uncircumcised, make sure the foreskin is pulled
back before putting on the condom. Once the condom is on, you
can slide the foreskin forward so that it feels more comfortable
during intercourse.
6. It is helpful to place some lubrication, or spermicide on
the penis first (water
based lubricants such as K-Y Jelly only; oil-based lubricants
like petroleum jelly, cold cream, butter, or mineral and vegetable
oils damage latex) , before you roll the condom down, as this can
enhance comfort, and reduce the chances of the condom tearing. Some
condoms are already lubricated, which helps prevent tears.
7. Squeeze out the air at the teat-end (narrow area near
the tip) of the condom between the thumb and forefinger. This forces
the air out and leaves room for the ejaculate (cum) later. Teat-ended
condoms have a little reservoir at the top, but with other condoms,
leave a half-inch space at the tip to collect semen.
8. Put the condom on before the penis touches your partner's
body. Fluids are discharged from the penis before and after
ejaculation, and this pre-ejaculate (“pre-cum") can carry enough
sperm to cause pregnancy. It can also contain enough germs to pass
HIV and other
sexually transmitted infections.
While squeezing the tip, place the condom against the penis
and unroll it all the way to the base of the penis. Make sure
the teat-end is facing away from the penis. If the condom DOES
NOT roll, then throw the condom away and get a new one.
NEVER unroll and re-roll a condom before using it. If you put it
on the wrong way around, DON'T FLIP IT OVER, and put it on the
other way, THROW IT AWAY, AND USE ANOTHER CONDOM, as there may
already be semen or pre-ejaculate left on the outer-side of the
condom.
9. Smooth out any air bubbles. (Friction against air bubbles
could cause condoms to break.)
10. Check the condom during sex, especially if
it feels strange, to make sure it is still in place and unbroken.
11. When withdrawing after intercourse, firmly hold the base
of the condom and ensure that you don't spill semen on your
partner. The penis goes soft soon after ejaculation so be careful
not to let the condom slip off.
To remove the condom from the penis, pull it off gently, being
careful semen does not spill out.There will be traces of semen
left on the penis so it is best to wash this off with soap and water,
and keep it away from your partner.
12. Never reuse a condom. Always use a new
condom for each kind of sex you have. Use a fresh one for each erection.
Have a good supply on hand.
13. Dispose of the condom responsibly. Wrap it up, and
place it in a bin, where others will not handle it. . Don't throw
it in the toilet, as this can cause major sewerage problems. Afterwards,
wash your hands with soap and water.
If a Condom Breaks ...
If it happens during intercourse, withdraw immediately,
making sure that you hold the base of the condom. Stop
intercourse, as continuing with a new condom, could
force any semen that may have leaked, deeper into your partner.
Female partners should contact a reproductive health clinician
for information about starting emergency
contraception as soon as possible, and never
later than 120 hours after intercourse.
If semen leaks out, wash the semen away with soap and
water.
Men should know if a condom breaks during intercourse. To
learn how it feels, men can break condoms on purpose while masturbating
alone.
Do not "double bag" (use two condoms). Friction
between the condoms increases the chance of breakage.
Different types of condoms
A condom is a thin rubber sleeve that's placed over the erect penis
before sexual intercourse. Condoms may be made of latex or
polyurethane (lambskin is also available but is not recommended, as
it doesn't stop transmission of HIV).
Those made of latex provide the best protection against sexually
transmitted diseases (STDs). Condoms are available in many varieties,
with or without lubricants, and in a wide range of lengths, widths
and thicknesses.
If you don't know the HIV status of your partner, use a new latex
condom every time you have anal or vaginal sex.
If you're allergic to latex, use a plastic (polyurethane) condom.
Avoid lambskin condoms — as they do not protect you from HIV.
If you don't have a male condom, use a
female condom. During oral sex
use a condom or a dental dam — a piece of medical-grade latex (see
the section dental
dams for more information).
Always use a water-based lubricant
(like K-Y jelly) when having sex, as this reduces the risk of
the latex breaking.
Experiment before you have sex, and know what fits!
It's very important to know what type of condom suits you, fits properly,
and is comfortable. A condom that's overly tight is more likely to
break, and a condom that's too loose may fall off during intercourse.
It is highly recommended to experiment with different styles and sizes,
to discover what suits you best, and will ensure maximum protection
during intercourse. Buy a selection
of condoms online, and find what suits you best.
Using lubes and spermicides
Using a condom with a spermicidal cream or jelly further decreases
the risk of pregnancy, but
spermicides such as nonoxynol-9 could increase the risk of HIV during
anal sex, due to chemical irritation. A spermicide is
a sperm-killing substance that's inserted into the vagina before intercourse
or used as a lubricant on the condom.
Lubricants may help reduce the chance a condom will break.
However only use water-based
lubricants (K-Y Jelly), because oil-based or petroleum-type
lubricants can cause latex to weaken and tear, as will any foods
containing fat or oil (cream etc). Use only water-based lubricants,
not petroleum jelly, cold cream or oils. Oil-based lubricants can
weaken condoms and cause them to break.
When to use a condom
To be fully protected from HIV and other STDs, use a condom during
any type of sexual activity, whether vaginal, oral,
gay sex or anal
sex . Oral, anal, or vigorous vaginal sex can increase the
likelihood of condom breakage.
The highest risk comes from having unprotected intercourse,
whether vaginal, anal or oral with someone who is infected with
an STD. It is also risky to have sex with a person
who has shared needles with an infected person. As It 's
not possible to always know who is infected, you should always
use a condom.
Knowing your partner well does not mean that you would know
if he or she is infected with an STD. They may not even know
if they are infected. A condom is also especially important when
an uninfected pregnant woman has sex, because it can help protect
her and her unborn child from a STD. It is always important to protect
yourself. Simply say no to sex without a condom!
Condoms also reduce the risk of other sexually transmitted
infections, including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, chancroid,
trichomoniasis, HPV, herpes, and pelvic inflammatory disease (PID).
They also also protect against vaginitis caused by trichomoniasis
or changes in the pH balance of the vagina that can be triggered
by semen.
The risk of passing a sexually transmitted infection during oral
sex is lower than it is during vaginal or anal intercourse. But
to be safe, you should also use a condom during oral
sex - try flavoured condoms to add some variety and
excitement!
Hormonal, intrauterine, and surgical methods of birth control
offer greater protection against pregnancy than condoms, but no
protection against sexually transmitted infections. Many people
use latex condoms along with another method for the best protection
against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.
How does it work?
The condom should be placed on the erect penis, from the beginning
to end of sexual activity and should be used every time that you have
sex.
Keep in mind that STDs can still be spread, even if you
use a condom, because a condom does not cover surrounding skin areas.
But a condom definitely reduces your risk dramatically.
Make sure you use a new latex or polyurethane condom
every time you have sex.
A condom acts as a barrier or wall to keep blood, semen, or vaginal
fluids from passing from one person to another during intercourse.
Does it help prevent sexually transmitted diseases? Yes. By blocking
the exchange of body fluids that might be infected, the latex condom
provides better protection against STDs than any other form of birth
control.
Polyurethane and lambskin condoms do not protect as well against
STDs. Read the label on the package and make sure that the condom
is latex and labeled for disease prevention. Used consistently
and correctly, condoms are highly effective at preventing the transmission
of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), the virus that causes
AIDS, and at reducing the risk of infection from other STDs.
Who Should Bring the Condoms?
Even if you aren't planning to have sex it’s up to you to
always carry condoms! It doesn’t matter if you are male or
female, it’s important to take responsibility for your own sexual
health—and using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex
is a great way to do that!
If YOU remember the condoms, it doesn’t matter if your
partner forgot! It takes away the excuse for not using
them and gives YOU the power and control over your own body. But
most of all, it shows that you care about your sexual health—and
theirs.
For pleasure, ease, and effectiveness, both partners should know
how to put on and use a condom. To learn without feeling pressured
or embarrassed, practice on your penis or a penis-shaped object
like a banana or cucumber.
Side-effects
A condom doesn't affect a man's reproductive function, so
it's possible to achieve a pregnancy immediately after stopping this
form of birth control.
Condoms have no side effects except for those people who are
allergic to latex - around 1 percent of people suffer from
these allergies. They may use polyurethane (durex avanti) condoms
instead.
If your partner refuses to wear a latex condom, you can use a
female condom. Don't worriy about being rejected, as a partner who
doesn't care about protecting your health and well-being is not
worth your involvement.
Limitations of condoms
Remember that although condoms can reduce your risk of contracting
HIV, they don't eliminate the risk entirely. Condoms can break or
develop small tears, and they may not always be used properly.
The breakage rate for condoms is two out of 100. Of every 100
couples who use condoms incorrectly and inconsistently, 15 will
experience a pregnancy during the first year of use. Of every 100
couples who use condoms correctly and consistently, only two will
experience a pregnancy.
Extra safe sex tips
1. Personal hygiene
It is important to keep clean with frequent showers.
Always wash well before anal and vaginal sex. Sex is safer
if you wash with soap and water before having sex. Always
wash after anal sex before having vaginal sex, using soap and water.
The faeces may carry organisms that can infect the vagina, and can
be transferred by a penis or a dildo, mouth or finger. Wash
well and always use a condom to make sure you do not cause
infection.
2. Never share condoms, dildos or toys
3. Always wash towels and bed sheets.
Some STDs such as scabies can be transmitted from these articles if
an infected person used them recently.
How to carry and store condoms
1. Always handle condoms gently, and protect them
from sharp fingernails, jewellery and coins.
2. Store them in a cool, dry place, and remember
that on exposure to air, heat, and light makes them more breakable.
Never stash them in a back pocket, wallet, or glove compartment.
|
