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Using Condoms AdviceCondoms don’t have the power of invincibility. Just because you strap a condom down around your penis does not guarantee that you won’t walk away from the sexual encounter without a ticking time bomb. However, using a condom with regularity, not to mention correctly, can significantly reduce your risk. The problem with condoms is that they don’t cover all the exposed areas of the penis. This is especially true if you talk yourself into thinking that you need the extra-large size. Be sensible. A snug fit will not only feel better, but protect you better as well. Because the condom doesn’t fit over the entire penis, it makes them much better suited for the prevention diseases spread by mucosal surfaces such as gonorrhea, chlamydia and HIV than in diseases transmitted through contact with the skin, such as herpes simplex virus and syphilis. In America, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulates condoms as medical devices and therefore are put through strictly controlled testing to ensure safety from leakage. Every latex condom that is manufactured in the US is electronically sampled for whole detection. Even so, the rate of condom breakage during intercourse it still 2%. Most condom failure, however, results not from condom breakage, but incorrect usage. What constitutes incorrect usage? Well, if you engage in anal sex and feel confident you’re safe because you use a condom, think again. Chances are you also use lubrication oil, right? Petroleum jelly, massage oil, Vaseline, sex lotions and even whipped cream can all cause weakening or breakage in the condom unless you use latex compatible lubrication. Not all condoms are created equal. Stay away from most novelty condoms and condoms made from lambskin because they are not effective in the prevention of the transmission of STDs. If you are planning on using any oil-based lubricant, you must use polyurethane condoms to ensure the best possible protection. Having oral sex while wearing a condom is tricky business. In the first place, it is safer to perform fellatio with a condom on than without, obviously, but a partner’s teeth can also imperceptible holds in the condom that basically make wearing one useless. Always be very careful in handling condoms with teeth and fingernails and avoid any contract between the penis and the condom before you are erect enough to fit in on. Although it should go without saying, make sure you always use a condom with each act of intercourse. That means each time withdraw from one partner and penetrate another, you should put on another condom. Obviously, this is asking a lot. But asking to live a normal life after contracting and STD is asking for even more, isn’t it? |
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