Condom Mistakes You’re Probably Making & How To Avoid Them
#1 It’s been a while since that awkward moment in health class when you learned how to put a condom on a banana.
Whether you were actually paying attention or too preoccupied chatting with your friends and avoiding saying the word "penis" at all costs, it's possible you may have missed a thing or two about the proper way to wrap it up.
Now that you're an adult, you may think you've mastered these simple sheaths. But believe it or not, the CDC estimates there's a typical use failure rate of 18%. The takeaway: even as an adult, you're not immune to teenage-status condom errors. However, when used correctly, condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy, and they're your best line of defense against STDs. To help you avoid joining that 18%, stop making these common mistakes.
#2 You're Not Putting It On Early Enough
In a study conducted by the journal Sexual Health, up to 51 percent of people put a condom on after intercourse had already begun, and another study cites that among people who use more than one method of contraception, 35 percent begin intercourse without one. Remember that even if you use other forms of birth control, you're not protected against sexually transmitted infections, which you're exposed to as soon as genital-to-genital contact happens. According to Planned Parenthood, ensure you've put the condom on at the correct time by doing so before the penis touches the vulva.
#3 You're Not Wearing It The Whole Time
The same study in Sexual Health concluded that up to 44 percent of individuals take a condom off before intercourse is over, and a second study cites that among people who use more than one method of contraception, only 59 percent use a condom the whole time. Again, the condom has to be on the whole time to prevent genital-to-genital contact, the potential transmission of STIs, and possible pregnancy.
#4 You're Not Checking The Condom Before Use
Yes, it's true 82 percent of women and 74 percent of men fail to check condoms for damage before use, according to the Sexual Health study. Inspecting things like the packaging as well as the expiration date are crucial to ensuring that the product itself is going to be effective.
#5 You're Not Storing Them Properly
Planned Parenthood notes that, "long exposure to air, heat, and light makes [condoms] more likely to break." Storing them away from sunlight, outside of wallets and pockets, and in a cool, dry area is the best way to prevent them from deteriorating in any way and losing efficacy.
#6 You Forget To Use Lube
The Sexual Health study suggested that between 16 and 25 percent of participants use condoms without lubrication. As this highly increases the risk of breakage, it is crucial to use lube when using a condom during sex.
#7 You're Using The Wrong Kind Of Lube
Not all lubes are equal when using condoms. As sex researcher Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., author of Because It Feels Good, told Buzzfeed, "coconut oil, lotions, massage oils, and petroleum jelly can all break down latex." To keep things together, Planned Parenthood stresses using only water-based lubricants, such as K-Y jelly or Astroglide, with latex condoms.
#8 You're Not Leaving Space At The Tip
The Sexual Health study also cites that 24 to 45 percent of the participants fail to leave space for semen at the tip of the condom, which is necessary for ejaculate. Planned Parenthood recommends leaving a half-inch of space.
#9 You're Not Removing The Condom Quickly Enough
One study suggested that partners fail to withdraw after ejaculation promptly in up to 57 percent of encounters. The condom has to be removed while the erection is still present, which will be very soon after sex. If it is not, and the erection goes away, there is more room left in the condom, which increases the chance of spilling and potentially exposing a partner.
#10 You're Only Using One Type Of Condom
This one is definitely a big mistake. There are literally tons of types of condoms out there, so assuming that because you didn't like a certain one, you're not going to find one you like, is certainly erroneous. There are pre-lubricated ones, ones that come in multiple flavors, ribbed, long, short you name it, it's probably out there. So feel free to experiment and have fun while keeping yourself safe.
