The Male Condom
- What Is It?
- How To Use
- You Need To Know
- Advantages
- Disadvantages
- Cost
- Effectiveness
- Warnings
- Amazing Condom Facts
Condoms are a barrier method of contraception that can prevent unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases by "catching" the ejaculate and preventing it from entering the female. Condoms are made either of latex, animal skin, or plastic. They are placed over the erect penis before intercourse.
How To Use- Check the expiration date.
- Check for an air bubble by placing the condom between your index finger and thumb.
- Gently push the condom to one side of the package and tear open with your fingers. Do not use nails, teeth, or any other sharp objects.
- Pinch and hold the tip of the condom leaving approximately ½ inch reservoir as you roll the condom down the shaft to the base of the penis, with the lubricated side out (if the condom is lubricated). Make sure to carefully smooth out air bubbles along the way. Be sure to put the condom on the erect penis prior to initial contact with the vagina, anus, or mouth. If the penis is uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin before rolling the condom over the erect penis.
- HELPFUL HINT- Pull back any pubic hairs that might get in the way of the condom. This will prevent an otherwise very enjoyable experience from being marred by pain!
OPTIONAL: : Water based lubricants can be used on the condom to provide additional sensitivity. It can also prevent tears in the condom from occurring during intercourse. A small dab of lubricant inside the tip of the condom helps it fit tightly over the glans of the penis and increases sensitivity.
- Enjoy!
- After sex, carefully pull the penis and condom out of your partner's body BEFORE the penis loses its erection by holding the base of the condom to prevent it from slipping. Then remove the condom from the penis away from your partner, making sure not to spill the semen.
- Tie the condom in a knot and dispose of the condom in the trash can. Never re-use condoms or use two condoms at once!
Moisture, heat, and light can make condoms more susceptible to breakage!!!
Condoms should always be stored in a cool, dry place (i.e. it is not a good idea to
store a condom in your wallet or glove compartment for months at a time).
Only WATER-based lubricants, such as KY Jelly or Astroglide, can be used!!! Oil based lubricants cannot be used because they damage the condom. Vaseline, baby oil, and even whipped cream are examples of oil based lubricants!
A condom should always be put on before the penis ever touches the vulva, and a new one should always be used each time you have sex.
For a condom sizing chart, check out www.condomerie.com
Latex condoms the best condoms to use. Latex offers better protection than animal skin condoms because animal skin condoms contain pores that are big enough for HIV and other viruses to pass through. Many people prefer animal skin condoms because they are thinner and they do not dull sensitivity as much as latex condoms. However, it is important to keep in mind that latex offers the best protection against sexually transmitted diseases and pregnancy.
Advantages
- Very effective at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases.
- Can prolong sexual activity
- Inexpensive
- Easy to get.
- Come in a variety of colors, flavors, scents, textures, shapes, and sizes (you are never too big or too small to use a condom).
- You don't need a prescription.
-
Can be used as an element of
foreplay.
- Can interrupt the spontaneity of sex.
- Can decrease sensitivity.
- Are not 100% full‑proof (but almost!).
- Animal skin are not as effective as latex
- They may pinch the penis.
- A man may feel pressured to maintain erection while putting the condom on. If he does feel anxious he should allow his partner to roll the condom onto his penis.
- A man can feel pressured to ejaculate.
- They can deteriorate with age, especially if kept in hot or sunny places.
- Men
may feel self‑conscious about using one.
A typical condom ranges anywhere from $0.30 to $1.00. Buying them bulk is less expensive. Your local Planned Parenthood or health clinic, may provide free or inexpensive condoms.
When you start getting fancy, condoms start getting expensive! Ribbed, flavored, glow in the dark, lubricated, and spermicidal condoms are more expensive than regular condoms.
Condoms are very effective! For perfect users (those who use a condom EACH AND EVERY TIME they have sex), the effectiveness rate is 97%. For typical users the statistics show that the effectiveness rate is 86%.
A Warning about Condoms Lubricated with Nonoxynol-9
Amazing Condom Facts
- 5 BILLION: The estimated number of condoms used every year worldwide.
- Teenage women's use of condoms at first intercourse at first intercourse doubled between 1982 and 1988.
- Other terms for condom: rubber, prophylactic, safe and French letter.
- Condoms are the third most widely used form of birth control in the U.S., after female sterilization and the pill.
- About 99% of condoms are made of latex. The rest are made from lamb intestines' and now new polyurethane condoms are in mass production.
- Condoms were reportedly used by the Egyptians in 1350 B.C. They were most likely made of animal bladders or intestines.
- A condom can hold about 4 quarts of fluid.
- In the 16th century, condoms were made of linen. A ribbon sewn into the open end drew the condom snugly around the penis.
- Women purchase 40-70% of condoms.
- Using condoms during pregnancy may decrease the chances of intrauterine infections that can lead to miscarriage.
- To test condom quality, the FDA performs a "water leak" spot check. To pass, no more than 4 out of 1,000 condoms tested can leak.
- There are over 100 different brands of condoms on the market.
- When young Malcom X worked shining shoes at a Boston dance hall in 1940, he supplemented his income by selling condoms.
- Manufacturers say that 12% of the 15% condom failure rate is due to not using the condom correctly.
- Latex condoms are the only form of contraception that is also highly effective in protecting against STDs, including HIV.
- 18th-century condoms were fashioned from sheep, lamb and goat intestines, and sometimes fish skin.
- Condom use increased significantly in the late 1980s, due in large part to their effectiveness in helping prevent the spread of HIV and other STDs.
- In 1977, the Supreme Court ruled that no state could bar minors from purchasing condoms.
- In the 1920s, vending machines made mass distribution of condoms possible "for protection against disease," even though there was a federal law prohibiting the sale of contraceptives.
- Even though poorer brands have been shown to leak minute amounts of virus-sized particles in laboratory studies, researchers conclude that using any kind of condom is at least 10,000 times better than not using a condom at all.
- Only latex condoms offer substantial protection against HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
- In 1844, Charles Goodyear obtained the first patent on a crepe rubber condom.
- Studies have found that few than 10% of teenagers who have sex use condoms consistently.
- The female condom can be inserted long before intercourse and helps protect against STDs, including HIV.
- Studies show that young people who believe their peers use condoms are far more likely to use condoms themselves.
- Before the 20th century, condoms were used primarily for protection against sexually transmitted disease. Birth control was not considered as important.
- People who use alcohol and drugs when they have sex don't use condoms as often.
- Italian anatomist Gabriele Fallopio, after whom the Fallopian tubes were named, claimed to have invented the condom in 1564. Its original purpose was to protect against syphilis.
- Studies show that as young men become more sexually active, they use condoms less.
- Japanese condoms have a reputation for high quality because they are individually tested. Japanese-brand condoms are also quite thin and are thought to allow a lot of sensitivity.
- A condom can be stretched to a length of over 4 feet.
- These facts among others are all the more reason to look into condoms as your #1 contraception choice. Condom facts adapted from ETR Associates, 1998.
