How to Use the Condom - Male Preservative
What is the condom?
The male condom, popularly known as a condom, is the most widely used method of contraception in the world.
The condom is a barrier contraceptive, that is, it prevents the penile and vaginal secretions from coming into contact. In this way, there is possibility of prevention not only of pregnancy, but also of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). Other methods such as oral contraceptives and the IUD, for example, barely prevent pregnancy, without acting against the risk of STDs.
Okamoto Usa 004 Aloe Almost Nothing Condom, 10 Count
The condom is usually made of latex or polyurethane. Usually, a condom is 19 cm long, 5 cm wide and 0.07 mm thick. There are models with variations in the three measurements. In addition to the sizes, condoms can vary in shape, color, smell, taste, lubrication and presence or not of spermicide.
All these described variations hardly affect the comfort of the user; none of these factors, including the spermicide, influences the effectiveness of the condom. Actually, the condom with spermicide is not more effective than the condom without spermicide, and rather the latter is related to the appearance of urinary infections (cystitis) in couples. Currently, we always indicate condoms without spermicides.
Efficacy of male condom
The effectiveness of the condom must be evaluated in two ways:
- Efficacy against pregnancy.
- Efficacy against STDs.
Regardless of the mode of evaluation, the effectiveness of the condom is directly related to its correct use. Below we will show the correct way to place and use the condom.
1. Efficacy against pregnancy
When used correctly, the condom is 98% effective against pregnancy. When it is used intuitively, that is, placed without major orientation or care, the efficiency drops to 85%.
2. Effectiveness against ETS
The correct use of the condom is currently the main weapon in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. Its effectiveness varies from one disease to another, without being considered 100% efficient in any case. Therefore, in addition to correct use, it is very important that the individual avoid risky behaviors, such as having multiple sexual partners.
The male condom is extremely efficient against the transmission of the HIV virus (read: HIV TESTING TEST ). The risk of transmitting the virus during a single sexual relationship with a condom, placed and used correctly, is practically nil.
Cases of transmission usually occur in those couples that are serologically discordant, that is, HIV positive and HIV negative, who have frequent sexual intercourse. Still, the condom is an excellent method of protection. A work carried out in 2001 accompanied 587 of these couples and showed that in just eleven of them the partner ended up infected. Look, we're talking about people who have had frequent sex with infected partners.
The condom is also efficient in preventing other STDs, however, with lower success rates than against HIV. Among the STDs that present a significant reduction in transmission, we can mention:
- Gonorrhea
- Chlamydia
- Syphilis
- Genital herpes
- HPV .
- Hepatitis B
The most important thing is to understand that the condom is a powerful weapon against the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, however, it is not infallible and in many cases its performance is far from ideal.
If on the one hand the role of some religious groups contrary to the use can be considered irresponsible, on the other, campaigns for the promotion of the condom without due clarification can encourage risk behaviors, which could reduce the beneficial effects of frequent use of the condom.
Therefore, to reinforce, the condom should be used in any sexual relationship in which there is no reproductive intention, because it significantly reduces the risk of disease transmission; nevertheless, a behavior of recurrent risk diminishes its effectiveness, exposing the individual to risks.
Pros and cons
Pros:
- It is an immediately reversible method of contraception.
- Protects against pregnancy and STDs.
- It is cheap, easily accessible and does not require a doctor's prescription.
- It is simple to use.
- It can be loaded by men and women.
- There are practically no adverse reactions to its use.
- Helps control premature ejaculation.
Cons:
- Some men complain of loss of penis sensitivity.
- Some men lose their erection when there is an interruption of the sexual act at the time of placing the condom.
- The use of the condom needs the approval of the couple.
- Its use can lead to the false impression of complete protection and without failures.
- Some women are embarrassed to carry condoms for fear of being labeled as promiscuous.
- Some religions do not allow its use.
How to use the condom
For the male condom to be an effective method of birth control and / or disease transmission, it is only necessary to use it correctly. Despite being a very simple and practically intuitive method, some rules must be respected. Some of the suggestions below may seem obvious, but they are among the main causes of misuse.
Buy condoms in authorized locations, such as pharmacies and automatic machines. Avoid buying them from street vendors or in places where storage is not adequate. In some countries, the presence of a quality seal must be taken into account. Another important point is the expiration date of the product; If the wrapping is damaged, reject the condom.
The condom should be stored in cool, not humid places, and away from the sun's rays. The car is not a good place to store them, unless it is always parked in covered places. In the wallet or wallet, the maximum time is one month. Exposure to heat damages the latex, which favors breakage.
The condom is a single-use, disposable product. Even if the second time is between the same people, the condom can not be reused.
Just open the wrap of the condom at the time of placing it. Be careful to tear it, avoid cutting materials when opening it.
To reduce the risk of STDs, the condom must be placed before there is any contact between the genitals, even if there is still no intention of penetration.
The condom should only be placed when the penis is erect.
How to put the condom
With the erect penis, place the condom on the glans (head of the penis) holding the receiving tip to prevent it from being full of air.
Unroll it to the base of the penis. If the condom does not unwind easily it is because it is being placed on the opposite side. Change the side and start the process again.
If it is placed correctly, the receiving tip of the condom will be "wrinkled", without air, on the tip of the penis.
The condom should always be unrolled as much as possible, in order to stay just enough at the base of the penis.
Condoms are already lubricated. Avoid adding any other lubricant product, as it may damage the latex. If you need more lubrication, use only water-based lubricants with KY®.
Do not try to place the condom on a non-erect penis. It will be loose and run the risk of falling off during the sexual act.
Once you have ejaculated, finish the penetration before the penis is flaccid, because at that moment the condom can be loose, allowing the sperm to run down the sides. There is also a risk of the condom falling off and remaining inside the vagina.
The condom should be changed whenever there is a change from anal sex to vaginal sex.
After removing it, a knot should be made at the base of the condom and placed in a trash can. Do not throw the condom inside the toilet.
What if the condom breaks?
Despite being a rare case, improper use or storage of the condom can eventually cause breakage or emptying of the condom. If the condom bursts before ejaculation, remove the penis, wash it with soap and water (the same for the vagina) and change the condom if you want to restart the sexual act. If this is done immediately, the risk of pregnancy and disease transmission is very low. Attention: women should avoid vaginal douching when washing.
If the condom breaks after or during ejaculation, the penis should be removed immediately and both genitals should be washed. To avoid pregnancy, contact your gynecologist for guidance on emergency contraception, such as the morning after pill (read: PILL OF THE DAY AFTER ). Whenever there is contact between mucous membranes and genital secretions there is a risk of STD transmission. If you had a problem with the condom and you suspect that your partner may have a venereal disease, look for a doctor to receive guidance on how to proceed.