Condom Use 101: A Guide to Safe Practices

You never thought you’d need a guidebook for this one, right? There is only one way to do it, which is pretty obvious after you peel the packaging off. Yet, now and then, you’d find a post on r/AskReddit asking if they are doing it wrong.

Condoms are the most effective barrier method of contraception that not only prevents pregnancy but also protects against sexually transmitted infections(STIs).

But for it to be most effective, it must also be used correctly. And this is why most condoms fail. But we have got you covered! Read on to know more.

Latex condoms are the most widely used condoms and are also the most effective. If you or your partner have a latex allergy, there are non-latex condoms available that are made of polyurethane, polyisoprene, and nitrile.

While choosing a condom, it is important that it fits snugly, not too tight or loose. Now, there is a lot of variety out there - ribbed, flavoured, glow-in-the-dark! But they all do the same job. It’s important to make sure that while choosing a condom brand, you check that it is FDA-approved or carries any other standards approval mark.

Here’s your step-by-step guide:

• Check the expiration date - Make sure that before you use a condom, you are checking the expiration date on the condom package.

• Carefully remove the condom wrapper - Be careful when unwrapping the condom with your hands. Do not use your teeth. Also, avoid using long fingernails or jewellery or anything of the kind that can damage the condom.

• Pinch the air out of the condom - Hold the tip of the condom and squeeze out any air before putting it on. If there is any air trapped inside, it could make the condom break.

• The penis should not have any lubricant - Before putting on the condom, make sure that the penis does not have any lubricant or grease.

• Always put on the condom on an erect penis - Make sure that you are putting on the condom when the penis is hard and before any penetration.

• Make sure you find the correct side of the condom - The rim should be rolled up on the outside. If you are unsure, you can roll down the condom a bit and check. It should roll down easily. If you put on a condom wrong, that is, if it is inside out, you should throw it away and use another one.

• Put lubricant once the condom is on - If you want to use a lubricant, you can use any water-based or silicone-based one. DO NOT use any oil-based lubricant, as it can break down latex condoms.

• Check the condom for breaks - During sex, check periodically to ensure the condom has not broken. If sex lasts a long time, there are more chances for the condom to break. If the condom breaks or slips off during sex, make sure to use another one.

• Hold the condom at the base before withdrawing - After ejaculation, withdraw while the penis is still hard to avoid the semen spilling out. While withdrawing, hold the condom at the base firmly and pull it out.

• Dispose of it correctly - Carefully remove the condom and dispose of it in the trash. Do not flush it down the toilet.

Female condoms are like those pineapple pizzas. We know they make them, and we know some people buy them, but most of us have never seen or heard of them. Anyway, if you are a female condom aficionado or want to become one, here’s your step-by-step guide:

• Check the expiration date - Make sure that before you use a condom, you are checking the expiration date on the condom package.

• Carefully remove the condom wrapper - Be careful when unwrapping the condom with your hands. Tear along the edges. Do not use your teeth. Also, avoid using long fingernails or jewellery or anything of the kind that can damage the condom.

• Unroll the internal condom and locate the ring at the closed end -This is the inner ring, which goes inside your body, while the outer ring remains on the outside.

• Find a comfortable position to insert the condom - You may need to squat or sit on the toilet to make it easier to put in place.

• Pinch the ring at the closed end between your thumb and middle finger - This will elongate and narrow the ring, making it easier to insert.

• Place the closed end of the condom into your vagina - Using your finger, push the inner ring as far as you can inside your vagina. It is similar to inserting a tampon. The condom should go all the way up to your cervix.

• The thin outer ring should remain outside the vagina - Once the condom is in place, you should not be able to feel it anymore.

• Make sure that the condom is not twisted inside - You need to make certain that the condom has not twisted inside, and you can usually make sure by putting a finger inside to check.

• Stop if you feel the outer ring is pushed into the vagina - During sex, if you feel the outer ring being pushed into the vagina, stop immediately and change the condom.

• Gently twist the outer ring of the condom to pull it out - Twist the outside end of the condom and gently pull it out to not spill any semen. Throw the condom in the trash.

Note:

For both internal and external condoms, make sure that you are not reusing them. Every time that you have sex, use a new condom.

Well, I have successfully told you what to do with a product that you have bought. Jokes aside, very few get the opportunity to learn about how to use condoms due to the taboo around it.

We need to learn how to use it to ensure our safety. I sincerely hope the blog helped you. If it did, share the blog to make life easier for others as well. And as always, let’s talk about it.

There’s a myriad of questions out there on the best practices of using condoms. Let’s check some of these out.

Question 1: Do condoms make sex less pleasurable?

Answer: Some people think that condoms hinder spontaneity and affect sensation. But there are different kinds of condoms available to spice things up. Once you get used to the process, condoms could be a lot of fun to use!

Question 2: Can I use two condoms to be better protected?

Answer: No. The friction from using two condoms could lead to one or both of them breaking. If you want to be better protected, it's best to consider using another form of contraception alongside condoms. For example - you could use an IUD or birth control pill and still use a condom. This will protect you against pregnancy as well as STIs.

Question 3: Can I use external and internal condoms at the same time?

Answer: Again, no. It’s not a good idea to use two of any kind of condom as the friction from using two condoms at the same time could cause the condoms to break or tear.

Question 4: I pulled off my condom for 30 seconds. Can I put it on again?

Answer: No. If you take off your condom, simply dispose of it. It does not matter how long you took it out.

Question 5: Do I need to use a condom for oral or anal sex?

Answer: Yes, STIs can be contracted during oral and anal sex. For oral sex, you could use dental dams or flavoured condoms.

Question 6: What should I do if the condom breaks?

Answer: If the condom breaks during sex, dispose of it immediately and put on a new condom. If you realise the condom has broken after sex, take an emergency contraceptive as soon as you can.

Question 7: Is it messy to use a female condom?

Answer: Female condoms work in the same way as male condoms. If they are used correctly, there should not be any mess.

Question 8: Can I use flavoured condoms for having vaginal sex?

Answer: Flavored condoms are supposed to be used for having oral sex. It can otherwise cause infections or irritation.