How to use a condom does look easy. However, in fact there are still many people who make mistakes in using condoms. This of course makes condoms not function properly, making them less effective in preventing pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases.
Mistakes in using condoms are not only made by new couples. Old couples who often use condoms to prevent pregnancy can still be 'missed' due to a lack of knowledge about the correct use of condoms.
Common Condom Use Mistakes
The following are some mistakes that are often made when choosing and using condoms:
1. Buying the wrong size
Each man's penis size is different. Before buying a condom, identify your penis size and choose a condom that fits your penis size. Avoid forcing yourself to buy condoms that don't fit.
If the size is too small, the condom will tear easily during use and can cause injury to the penis. Meanwhile, condoms that are too large will easily come off during sex.
2. Not checking the condition of the condom when buying
Several studies show that about 70-75% of men forget or rarely check the condition of condoms when buying them. Condoms in stores may be damaged or expired.
When buying condoms or before using them, make it a habit to always check the expiration date. Also pay attention to condom packaging and do not use condoms if the product packaging looks dull, damaged, the color is faded, especially if the condom looks sticky on the packaging.
3. Open the condom with a sharp object
You may have been in a hurry to open a condom, so use sharp objects such as scissors, a knife, or even bite into the condom packaging to quickly open it.
However, this will actually increase the risk of the condom being damaged or torn so that its effectiveness will be reduced.
4. Not unrolling the condom properly
When you want to use a condom, make sure that the condom used is not upside down. In order not to put it wrong, you can put the condom on the top of the head of the penis and slowly unroll the condom until it covers the entire surface of the penis.
If you don't unroll the condom properly, some of the skin's surface will not be protected, increasing the risk of pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
5. Use a condom before a full erection
Wearing a condom when the penis is not fully erect will make the condom more difficult to use, not fit properly, and easily damaged. It can also change the position of the condom due to different penis sizes before and after erection.
6. Leaves no space at the end of the condom
The space at the end of the condom serves as a reservoir for semen. Many men often do not leave a place in the section, so that when finished having sex, semen is easily spilled and is not accommodated in the condom properly. It can also risk making the condom more prone to tearing.
7. Wrong choice of condom lubricant
Using condom lubricants can make sex more comfortable. The use of lubricants is also said to facilitate the use of condoms. However, not all lubricants are compatible with condom materials.
So that the condom does not break during use, you should not choose an oil-based condom such as baby oil, lotion, as well as petroleum jelly. If you want to use condom lubricant, choose a water-based lubricant.
8. Late use of condoms
Before having sex (including oral sex), condoms must be installed. Do not wait near the time of ejaculation to use a condom, because the risk of pregnancy and disease transmission is still there because you had unprotected sex.
9. Do not remove the condom after having sex
It is also wrong to leave the condom in place after ejaculation. When the semen has been accommodated in the condom and the condom is left in place, semen can come out of the condom.
10. Use more than one condom
Some think that using multiple layers of condoms can increase the effectiveness of condoms. However, this is not true. On the contrary, using two condoms at once actually facilitates friction between the two condoms, making them easy to tear.
11. Keep condoms in your wallet
Condoms that are stored in a wallet, let alone for months, can lose their function. This is because condoms can be exposed to hot temperatures so that the quality and effectiveness of the condom can be reduced because the material is damaged.
In addition to the various mistakes above, using the same condom over and over again is also one of the mistakes that some people may still make. This needs to be avoided because it can make the condom not work properly.
The Risks of Not Using Condoms Correctly
We often know condoms as a means of safety in sexual intercourse. This refers to the function of condoms to prevent pregnancy by keeping sperm from entering the vagina.
In addition, condoms also prevent direct friction between the genitals, thereby reducing the risk of transmitting STIs such as gonorrhea, HIV, and syphilis.
Not wearing or using a condom properly is the same as not using a condom at all. That is the reason why paying attention to how to use a condom correctly is an important part before having sex.
In addition to preventing pregnancy and the transmission of sexually transmitted infections, proper use of condoms is also important for maintaining the health of the male reproductive organs. A study shows that using condoms incorrectly can increase the risk of erectile dysfunction in men of reproductive age.
Therefore, make sure you avoid some mistakes in using condoms. Do not forget to always use a condom properly and correctly when you want to have sex.
If you have difficulty using condoms, for example, are confused about how to use the right condom or find it difficult to choose a condom because you have an allergy to latex products from condoms, try to consult a doctor.