Table of contents:
- 1. Late condom placement
- 2. Wear it too fast
- 3. Too fast to take off
- 4. Unroll the condom before putting it on
- 5. Leaving no room at the end
- 6. Leaving air bubbles
- 7. Half-way installation
- 8. One condom for two different situations
- 9. Exposure to sharp objects
- 10. Failure to check factory expiration and defects
- 11. Do not use lubricants
- 12. Wrong choice of lubricant
- 13. Inappropriate withdrawal methods
Not using a condom is the biggest mistake you can make. However, even when acting with utmost responsibility and care, accidents may occur.
Damaged and torn condoms, although rare, are not impossible. However, these two things are not the only mistakes couples face when using condoms. Reporting from Live Science, an article published in the journal Sexual Health reviewed 50 studies from 14 countries, aged over 16 years, about condom use errors from around the world.
Some of the most common mistakes include using it too late or removing it before intercourse is actually over, leaving no room at the end of the condom for semen, to neglecting to check the packaging to check for expiration or product defects. This trivial mistake could put you and your partner at a higher chance of unwanted pregnancy and transmission of venereal disease, say the researchers.
Have you ever made any of the mistakes above? From that research, here are the 13 most common mistakes in using condoms.
1. Late condom placement
Approximately 17-51.1 percent of couples reported using a new condom after sexual intercourse has started. Another study found that late use has increased, from 1.5 percent to 24.8 percent of cases of sexual intercourse.
Waiting too long to wear a condom is risky. Many men are waiting for the foreplay to end before using a condom. There is no real problem with this tactic - unless your foreplay involves penetration of any kind.
Male pre-ejaculatory fluid can contain sperm. Skin-to-skin contact has the potential to cause sexually transmitted diseases or pregnancy. In other words: don't procrastinate.
2. Wear it too fast
Using it too early when the penis is not even erect is also not a wise step. Doing this can mean that the condom won't fit properly there is a risk of loosening or tearing after the penis is erect. Only use condoms when the penis is partially or fully erect.
3. Too fast to take off
About 13.6 percent to 44.7 percent of individuals studied in the study reported removing a condom prematurely - until sexual intercourse actually ended. Another study found that releasing condoms too early was also found in 1.4-26.9 percent of sexual intercourse.
Withdrawing from protection puts you at risk of both contracting venereal disease and unwanted pregnancy. It is advisable to remove the condom before the penis has “wilted” completely again, as this can leave more room in the condom which can increase the chances of semen spilling out or the condom slipping through.
Too long using it is also not good, which can risk your ejaculatory fluid clotting. This can irritate the skin because semen has many anti-inflammatory molecules. In addition, the rest of your semen can mix with the subsequent pre-ejaculatory fluids, and can clog the penile urethra if left in too long.
4. Unroll the condom before putting it on
Between 2.1 and 25.3 percent of individuals reported they completely unwrapped the condom before starting to use it.
It may seem trivial, but unrolling the entire condom before you put it on your penis can actually make the process of using it much more difficult and put you at risk of tearing or being damaged by a pull.
The correct way to use a condom is like wearing a stocking - collect the wrinkled material at the tip of the head of the penis and slowly roll it up from the bottom of the wrinkles gently while making sure the condom doesn't change and is stretched to the base - not like wearing socks, which you usually pull directly from the top. The point is to create an easy entry for your penis, so you can place it in the condom without tearing it.
5. Leaving no room at the end
Failure to leave a small amount of space at the head of the penis for semen was reported by 24.3-45-45.7 percent of study respondents.
Generally, it is advisable to leave about 1 inch (1.5 cm) of empty space at the end of the condom to allow the condom to cover the ejaculatory fluid. Condoms can move during sex - being pulled, stretching, "choking" the head of the penis or loosening it. Make sure to pinch the end of the condom as you put it in, so that there will be less room for your ejaculation - otherwise, semen is likely to leak out.
6. Leaving air bubbles
Nearly half (48.1 percent) of women and 41.6 percent of men reported having engaged in sexual intercourse in which the insertion of a condom still left air space in it.
Hurried and improper installation of the condom will create room for the air bubbles to remain. This could put you at risk for the condom tearing or completely tearing. When rolling up the condom to cover your penis, make sure the material fits snugly around your genitals and is not crumpled to avoid the formation of air bubbles.
7. Half-way installation
11.2 percent of women and 8.8 percent of men reported starting sexual intercourse before the condom had completely covered the entire penis.
After unwrapping the condom and checking for factory defects, place the end of the coil on the head of your penis, then unroll the coil by dragging it slowly upward until it completely covers the shaft of the penis. If you only do it half way, you will put yourself at greater chance of transmitting venereal disease due to skin-to-skin exposure.
8. One condom for two different situations
About 4 - 30.4 percent of study respondents reported using one condom for two different sexual situations (removing it, then putting it back in an inverted position and then continuing to use it).
Recycling is important for the environment, but not for sex. Apart from being unhygienic - bacteria from previous sexual activity can spread to others - it can also expose your sex partner to your pre-ejaculatory fluids, which puts him at risk of contracting venereal disease or pregnancy. And, unless you wash your condom with soap and wait five days, the sperm left over from the previous ejaculate can survive for up to five days after that.
9. Exposure to sharp objects
About 2.1 to 11.2 percent of respondents reported unwrapping the condom with a sharp object. The problem is, if an object is sharp enough to break the plastic seal, it's also sharp enough to pierce and tear the condom.
10. Failure to check factory expiration and defects
When removing the condom from its package, 82.7 percent of the women and 74.5 percent of the men reported that they did not carefully check the condition of the condom and look for any damage before putting it on.
What you should pay attention to: make sure the condom package is not crumpled or worn (loose), looks like there is a tear or is open. Also check the expiration date and condition of the condom while you put it on.
11. Do not use lubricants
16-25.8 percent of study respondents reported condom use that was not preceded by lubrication, thus increasing the risk of tearing.
Some condom products are available with lubricants. However, adding a drop of lubricant will make it easier for you during insertion and during sexual activity. In addition, additional lubrication on both sides of the condom (inside and outside) can also help prevent the risk of tearing or tearing.
12. Wrong choice of lubricant
About 4.1 percent of sexual intercourse reports, respondents reported that they combined lubricants made from oil (petroleum jelly, vaseline, massage oil, coconut oil, to body lotion) with latex condoms, which can make the condom material wear out and break down quickly. Use a water or silicone based lubricant, which is a safer option.
13. Inappropriate withdrawal methods
Failure to quickly (and properly) pull the penis out after ejaculation is one of the most common condom mistakes. This occurred in up to 57 percent of reports of sexual intercourse. About 31 percent of men and 27 percent of women reported making this mistake.
When removing the condom after ejaculation is completely over, hold the edge of the condom as you pull the condom to remove it, to prevent any spills.
Condoms can prevent unwanted pregnancies and protect against sexually transmitted diseases if used properly.
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