7 Condom Mistakes You Had No Idea About

on February 15, 2019

We’ve all used a condom at least once in our lives, and I’m sure we all believe there’s nothing much to it; just put it on, unroll and you’re good to go. But did you know that there’s actually a proper way to use it? Handling a condom and using it properly gets overlooked by most people, especially in the heat of the moment.

With that in mind, here are some of the most common mistakes people make when using one.

 

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Using It Too Late

It may seem rather obvious to point out that condoms should be used before the act, but did you know that numerous studies have shown that an alarming percentage of people reported putting a condom on only after penetration? Skin-on-skin genital contact can lead to STDs, and even without the ejaculation sperm can still be produced.

 

Not Checking The Expiration Date

How many of us are guilty of not double-checking the little fine-printed dates on the wrapper? Though condoms usually have a decent shelf-life, those with added spermicides may last much shorter as it breaks down the latex it covers (thankfully, none of ours do!).  Add the fact that condoms kept in wallets tend to get exposed to more body heat, that little piece of insurance you carry around may not work its magic as well as you might think.

 

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Taking It Off Prematurely

Removing a condom before the act is done can be due to a plethora of reasons; erections that come and go, lubricants drying out etc. In between changing condoms, couples might still continue with foreplay and the likes, resulting in the risk of pregnancy or contracting STDs.

 

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Putting It On The Wrong Way

While fumbling around with condoms, it’s almost a sure-fire that we’d unroll it the wrong way. The obvious thing might be to turn it around and unroll it correctly right? If that’s what you think, think again because you risk having pre-ejaculate fluid on the outside, thus rendering that piece of rubber moot; toss it aside and use a fresh one to be safe.

Not Emptying Air In The Reservoir

Yes, the little space at the top of the condom is known as the reservoir; not many people know that they should gently squeeze the tip to remove any excess air so that there’s space to store the ejaculate. Otherwise, you run the risk of the condom breaking during intercourse.

 

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Using The Wrong Lubricants

Yes, even the type of lubricant matters. Some people might believe that lotions, baby oils and even something that might appear harmless (and even good) like coconut oil are acceptable, but in general it’s best to steer clear from using any oil-based lubricant as it could wear down the latex and cause breakage. When in doubt, always stick to silicone or water-based types for that added assurance.

 

 

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Go For The Right Size

This is often overlooked by many, but size does play a part in using condoms safely. Use too big a size, the condom could possibly slip off during intercourse; too small, it could increase friction and cause the latex to tear. When in doubt, buy condoms in a variety of styles and sizes to try at your leisure.

 

Hopefully, all these red flags have given some insight into what we should all be paying attention to when using a condom, and if you’ve learned some stuff you didn’t know previously, share this article with your friends; they’ll definitely thank you for it.

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