Condoms are the best and easy-to-use contraceptives if used properly. However, most people fail to put on a condom properly, which results in unexpected pregnancies. Here are 5 common condom mistakes which you do not want to make.
- Double packing
Condoms are good protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Besides, they are cheaper and more convenient than other birth control mechanisms. That is why most couples opt for this contraceptive.
But you should know how to use them to derive their benefits. Most men think that when they pack two layers of latex, the condoms offer a better shield.
But this assumption is wrong. Two rubbers grinding on each other just leads to a lack of sensitivity. The layer is too thick for you to get a feel of the adventure. As such, your erection could fizzle out.
Again, the chances of the cover slicing up are high. Continued friction causes the overlap to rip off, causing through shear. This defeats the real purpose why you wore the guard in the first place.
So what do you do? Put on just one condom correctly to avoid mistakes you don’t want to experience while using this latex cover.
- Wrong choice
Condoms come in many shapes and sizes. It’s unsurprising since men also have different penis and preferences. But don’t pick up a size to impress your significant other.
You will just end up putting off your partner’s excitement about sex. And if you pick a large-sized condom, it will not fit well. Instead, it will dangle and drop out before you penetrate your partner. It could also slip inside the vagina while you pump.
Yet, using a smaller version is even worse. Small condoms may be too tight, thus prevents blood from flowing to your genitals. Then you may not have enough room left to roll it all up to your penis base. Therefore, it will simply peel under pressure.
A tight-fitting latex may also cause much pain and strain. Instead of letting you enjoy sex, it may lead to bruises and scratches, while your penis will suffocate under it.
Still, according to a publication on the National Institutes of Health website, a small condom doesn’t cover the entire shaft and thus could rip.
But details are not reported because condoms also come in different textures and thicknesses. As such, a small condom prevents you from enjoying sex and even ejaculating as desired.
The report is titled “Delayed Ejaculation Due to Improper Male Condom Size: A Case Report.”
- Fail to pinch the tip
A common mistake men do with condoms is to fail to follow the instruction. Many brands come with a smaller end at the top. But most men fail to use this part of the rubber as instructed.
The tip is not just design aesthetics. It has a use, which is mainly to collect semen once you ejaculate. But for it to do this, it must be air-tight.
Unfortunately, many men roll up the condom into their penis. In so doing, they trap air at the tip. This air bubble usually seeks to escape when you being thrusting. This causes the rubber to rapture.
But if you are lucky with the condom and it remains intact throughout a sex episode, then you will realize your mistake once you ejaculate. With nowhere to settle, your juices ooze out at the base of the condom.
You can prevent this mistake by pinching the latex’s tip before you roll it into your member. This way, you expel all the air bubbles and create space for your semen to occupy.
- Poor setting
Another mistake that you don’t want to make is a poor sheath setting. There is a proper way of setting your condom into your penis.
If you don’t do this process well, then you are in trouble. Inserting it upside down is one such mistake. And so is putting it inside-out.
Why? Condoms usually are lubricated on the outside. So when you put it the other way round, the oil is lost, drying up its surface. Hence in contact with your partner’s sex organ, it rips apart.
But above oversights are not as bad as unrolling the protective sheath before you are firmly erect. In case you insert it on a semi-erect phallus, chances are that the condom won’t roll all the way up to the base. The flaccid penis features folds and molds that prevent it from unfolding evenly.
So before you wear any condom, ensure that you are fully erect so that it glides smoothly.
- Bad handling
How you handle a condom also determines how well it serves you. Thus ensure that you check on the expiry date of the condom before you use it.
Some men buy many packets and keep them close. These males contend that it’s better to have a male contraceptive pack than risk unprotected sex.
While their argument has many merits, it’s how these men store the condoms that matter. Some keep them in their wallets. And as they crush their wallets inside their pockets, they impact on the fragile structure of these latexes.
These issues ultimately affect how a condom performs, as per an NHS publication titled “Condoms”. Remember that the way you handle it before during and after sex could impact its effectiveness.
Even when condoms are well stored, tearing them with sharp objects such as nails or jewelry could pock holes in them which may eliminate the protection you seek.
Yet other men think that the car glove box is an ideal location to reach for when they need their condoms. But they park their vehicles in hot, humid, and cold environments all year long.
In both cases, the condoms are affected by these extreme conditions. And when time is ripe for their use, they fail to provide the necessary reliable service.
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- Latex allergy
Some people are allergic to rubber latex. And for most women, this allergic reaction may occur due to changes in the vaginal environment or sensitivity of their groins.
No matter the cause, condom use would cause a problem. These include itchiness and swelling around the area of condom contact. Sometimes, redness of the skin occurs.
The allergy may start for some days. It could either fizzle out on its own or even get worse.
If you discover that your penis itches or your partner complain about vaginal soreness each time you have protected sex, you need to check it out.
The best way is to visit your sex expert and explain your condition. A test and examination could establish your allergy to latex.
The doctor may provide alternative condoms. These are those that aren’t made from rubber. Usually, they are made from lamb intestinal lining or polyurethane.
You can try out these alternatives to confirm whether the reaction is brought about by latex.
- Damaged condom
The rubber protection comes sealed in a hermetically treated pack. Most manufacturers try to adhere to high-quality standards.
Still, these packs travel far from their production centers. And they are also affected by the changing climatic conditions, both during transportation and storage before being purchased.
Thus you should check the condition of the condom once you open this pack. Any factor could cause condom damage.
Excessive heat or exposure to direct sunlight could slightly brittle it, weakening its rubber structure. Similarly, when you use oil during sex, contact with specific oil may destroy the rubber fabric of the condom.
And if you store condom packs in the same cabinet that holds body lotion, petroleum jelly, and massage oils, contact with these products could render condoms useless.
A damaged condom tears during sex or leak semen after ejaculation. Thus you must inspect it to avoid this pitfall.
- Not changing condoms
One way of using condoms well is to change them during sex. The rubber is thin and doesn’t sustain a prolonged period of thrusting.
Thus, when you are having extended sex sessions, the intense friction could brittle the latex structure. This tear allows seminal fluids and vagina fluids to permeate the barrier.
The purpose of using a condom is to prevent infection. Hence, you should observe stringent hygiene even when using rubber.
One way is to clean yourself before using it. This act protects you against sweat and dirt that could contact the rubber and expose you and your partner to infections.
Next, you should change condoms whenever you switch the penetrative orifice. The rule is the new sex, new condoms. But what does this means?
It means that you should remove the condom you have used in one orifice when preparing to enter the next. So, switching from anal to vaginal, or oral sex needs a fresh condom each time.
Besides, after ejaculation, you still should remove it.
- Taking it off during sex
One of the most serious mistakes men make is to remove the protection in the middle of sex. This negates the whole reason why you wear a condom in the first place.
Men are particularly fond of doing this. Sometimes, you could fit the condom wrongly and thus doesn’t fit.
In some situations like this, the female partner may complain that the protection is hurting her delicate cavity. This may also be due to inadequate lubrication or poor fitment.
Still, many men complain of poor or low sensation when protected. Hence they may feel like discarding the protection to get the full eroticism that penetrative sex brings.
But this action exposes you to STIs and pregnancies, as per a Planned Parenthood website. It recommends that ladies have emergency pills ready in case this happens.
Still, condoms could slip accidentally inside the vagina after ejaculation exposing your partner. Hence you must fit a condom before penetration and appreciate that it’s worn well before you begin penetrative sex.
Occasionally, when any or all of the above situations occur, the man may be tempted to pull the rubber off and have sex without it.
Yet this is a dangerous move. You aren’t having any protected sex in this case.
Removing condoms during sex exposes both you and your partner to dangerous STIs.
- No holding well while removing/inserting
There is a prescribed method of holding the condom when you want to cover your penis. Still, there is a safe way of withdrawing a protected penis after sex.
Unfortunately, some men apply the wrong approaches in both or any of these situations. What happens is a big mistake.
After sex, you should hold the condom at its base while pulling out. The base is the top condom section with attaches to the bottom of the penis.
Meaning the part of the condom that is next to the pubic hair.
Similarly, when you are inserting a condom, you should hold it at the tip and then roll it over an erect penis. If not, it may trap air inside and thus burst during sex.
When you withdraw without holding the rubber, it may be trapped in the vagina and spill its contents inside.
In both these cases, you are still at risk of contracting STIs or impregnating your partner.
In conclusion, we discussed five major condom mistakes men should not make. We have provided you with the pros and cons of those mistakes, and we hope now you will try to be more cautious when using one.
SIMILAR QUESTION
What Are 3 Ways Condoms Fail?
Introduction
Condoms are considered one of the most reliable forms of contraceptive when used correctly. However, there are several ways in which condoms can fail, resulting in unwanted pregnancy or the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. This paper will discuss three of the most common ways in which condoms can fail, including incorrect usage, expired or damaged condoms, and the use of oil-based lubricants.
Incorrect Usage
One of the most common ways in which condoms can fail is through incorrect usage. For example, if a condom is not put on correctly, or it is not used for the entire duration of sexual intercourse, then it will not be effective in preventing the transmission of sexually transmitted infections or unwanted pregnancy. Additionally, if a person does not use enough lubricant when using a condom, then the condom can slip off during intercourse, resulting in a failed attempt at contraception.
Expired or Damaged Condoms
Another way condoms can fail is through expired or damaged condoms. Condoms have an expiration date, and if a condom is used after it has expired, it will not be effective in preventing pregnancy or the transmission of sexually transmitted infections. Additionally, if a condom is damaged in any way, such as having a tear or a hole, then it will not be effective in contraception. It is important to check each condom for any signs of damage before use.
Oil-Based Lubricants
Finally, condoms can fail if oil-based lubricants are used. Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, can cause the material of the condom to degrade over time, making it more likely to break during intercourse. It is important to use only water-based lubricants when using a condom, as these will not damage the material of the condom and will help make intercourse more comfortable and enjoyable.
Conclusion
In conclusion, there are several ways in which condoms can fail. These include incorrect usage, expired or damaged condoms, and the use of oil-based lubricants. It is important to ensure that condoms are used correctly and that they are not expired or damaged in any way, and that only water-based lubricants are used. By following these steps, a person can ensure that a condom is effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy or the transmission of sexually transmitted infections.
