Although it is true that the only 100% infallible protection is complete abstinence, the condom is the next best thing to protect ourselves and have healthy relations. Sex is to be enjoyed, but without forgetting about our health. We want to share with you some of the most frequent mistakes made when using a condom, avoid them!
1. Check the packaging
Checking that the packaging is intact is only one of the points to be taken into account. Pay attention to the expiration date, especially if the condom was not brought by you, you do not know how long the other person may have kept it in their wallet. When a condom is not stored properly, it can have small cracks, lose lubrication, thus increasing the risk of internal breakage. Checking this is not difficult, it will only take you a few seconds: Run your finger along the edge of the rubber to feel how your fingers slide with the lubricant inside, also notice the air bubble once you exert a little pressure on the still closed pouch-envelope.
2. Better two than one?
Some people believe that it is better to put two, so that if one breaks, there will always be the other to protect. However, it has been clinically proven (Feinberg School of Medicine) that this creates internal friction between the two condoms and increases the risk of one or both condoms breaking.
3. Use a condom after…
The correct time to put the condom on is after the penis is erect, and before any vaginal contact. Before erection, it is difficult to put it on and it may not fit properly once it starts to rise. After vaginal contact, it may mean that you may have been at risk before the condom.
4. Do not squeeze the tip
Most condoms have a small reservoir at the tip, this is the semen reservoir. If there is air in this reservoir, there is no room for anything else, thus increasing the risk of rupture upon ejaculation. Pinch the tip of the condom with your fingertips when you are putting it on to prevent the reservoir from filling with air.
5. Wrong size
Size does matter. If the condom is too small, it will squeeze, cutting off circulation, you will have trouble putting it on and it is very likely to break with friction or stretching. If it is too big, it could easily stay inside without you noticing it. If you find that you are not comfortable with the normal size you can look for different sized options available in most sex shops or online stores like amazon.
6. You use the wrong lubricant
Water-based lubricants are the best to use with latex condoms, you can look at the label as they usually even inform you with what type of condoms are compatible or not. Oil-based lubricants, lotions, etc. can weaken the latex and thus increase the risk of breakage.
7. Use it sometimes
The biggest mistake we can make is to use condoms only sometimes. Condoms are effective only when used with all sexual partners.
