Condom Do's and Don'ts

Making the decision not to wear a condom is like playing a game of Russian roulette: you never know when the bullet will hit you. Avoid the condom “cock blocking” at all cost! But I don’t like using a condom! I can’t feel it! I want to feel the REAL you! I go soft when I put on a condom! What you don’t trust me? I’m clean! These are just a few of the not so clever excuses one uses when it comes to condom aversion.

Stop it with the excuses and wrap it up! Would you rather find yourself explaining to a doctor why you have an itching, burning sensation with an icky drip coming from your penis, or perhaps why you have a foul-smelling discharge coming from your vagina? I think not!

In lieu of abstinence, condoms are the best protection we have against STIs! In order to be effective, condoms should be used consistently and correctly for anal, oral or vaginal sex.

Condoms should only be used with a water-based or silicone-based lubricant, as this helps to reduce friction and chances of the condom breaking. DO NOT use any oil-based lubricants such as: massage oils, vegetable oil, Vaseline, motor oil. The oil will break down a condom in less than 60 seconds and now you are putting yourself at risk.

Correct condom usage comes with separating fact from friction. Take heed to the facts below:

All men don’t wear Magnums! Condoms come in all sizes, ranging from snuggies to extra large! There is no one size fits all, although one size fits most! Nevertheless, it’s still important to get the proper size for your manhood. The importance of wearing the proper size condom is essential to the level of protection. Wearing the wrong size condom can also increase the chance of breaking and slippage. If, for example, the condom is too large, it is more likely to slip off during intercourse. If the condom is too small, it can actually burst during intercourse. In either case, you’ve defeated your purpose for putting the condom on.

Variety is the spice of life! BCondoms, Trojan, LifeStyles, Durex, Trustex, Beyond Seven, Kimoto – with so many condom brands on the market how does one choose? What’s the best condom to use? The best condom to use is the one that works the best for you and your partner(s). Condoms come in all different brands, textures and styles. Ribbed, studded, contoured, French Tickler, extra pouch, all of which are designed to enhance pleasure. You and your partner should take advantage of this and explore until you find the condom brand, texture and style the fits your needs. Condoms also come in a variety of flavors to suit your taste buds. Flavored condoms should only be used for oral sex and not vaginal sex. Because flavored condoms have glycerin, a sugar in the flavoring, the potential for yeast infections increases if used vaginally. Turn your search for the “perfect” condom into a game that you and your Beloved can play together as you explore and try out different brands until you find the one that you like best!

My partner is allergic to latex, so I can’t use a condom. Ah! But you can! Polyisoprene and polyurethane condoms are specially made for those who have a latex allergy. Both condoms are made of a different type of rubber that reduces the chances of irritation and allergic reaction that some women and men will experience from latex. Also, both the polyisoprene and polyurethane condoms are just as effective as the latex condom and provide the same level of protection.

I heard that lambskin condoms have a more natural feel. Stay away from the lambskin condoms! Lambskin condoms are only good for prevention of pregnancy. They are ineffective for protection against HIV and other STIs, according to the CDC. Reason being is that lambskin condoms are made of sheep/lamb intestines which, much like our intestines, have pores. The molecular structures of STIs are so small that it can seep through the pores of the lambskin condom, consequently putting you at risk for sexually transmitted infections.

Not in the glove box or in your pocket. Store condoms in a cool, dry place (below 100° F) and avoid exposure to direct sunlight. If latex is sticky or brittle when removed from the package, do not use the condom. Condoms should be stored in a location, e.g. dresser drawer, nightstand, “toy box,” etc., that makes them easily accessible.

Ladies, we haven’t forgot you! No longer do women have to rely on their male partner to whip out a condom. The female condoms allow women the power of protection! In addition, the female condom has an added advantage in that it provides coverage for the labia major, the large outer lips of the vagina where genital warts and herpes can hang out. The male condom only covers the shaft of the penis. Another advantage of the female condom is that it can be inserted up to six hours prior to sex. This helps to alleviate so-called “breaking the mood.” However, the downside to female condoms is that they are more expensive than the male condom, they are much larger and can be awkward for the first time user. Male and female condoms cannot be used together or they both will break. Just like the male condom, the female condom can only be used once. Do not wash it out, turn it inside-out and try to reuse. A little trick to enhance sensation for the male partner is to place a little water-based or silicone-based lubricant inside of the female condom. This will provide more sensation for him.