15 Condom Mistakes You’re Probably Making
Katy Thorn
June 13, 2017
What good is using a seatbelt if you don’t put it on correctly, or a helmet that doesn’t fit? Similarly, what is the point of using a condom if you aren’t using it correctly? When perfectly used, a male condom is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy, but typical usage errors make that number drop down to 85%! That is a percentage drop that should not be ignored.
Look we get it, in the heat of the moment, reaching for any condom is better than nothing, but with a little preparation and bearing these common mistakes in mind, you can enjoy sexy, worry-free play time.
1) If the Shoe Fits
Just as an ill-fitting pair of shoes causes pain, so will too small a condom. Despite the great ‘Condom Challenge’ of 2015, which raised good awareness of condom use, wearing something that restricts blood too tightly on the penis, especially for an extended period of time can be painful and uncomfortable.
Too large, and you’re likely to see slipping and leakage. Many men who find the standard size or XL to be uncomfortable, immediately jump to the conclusion that condoms just don’t fit them. Take our word for it though, condoms come in many lengths and widths, so take the fun (and safe) plunge and try as many different sizes, until you find what suits you best.
2) From the Get Go
Condoms are a barrier contraceptive which means that although they do contain seminal fluid, they also act as a barrier to pre-ejacualte; protecting both the user and their partner from passing harmful bacteria and causing infections. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to wait until after penetration or ‘rubbing’ to put the condom on; it should be put on before any genital to genital contact.
3) A Slip of the Tongue
Ah oral sex; what some call the crème de la crème of all sexual acts. It may not result in pregnancy, but it can lead to STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). It can be worn during a blow job, or turned into a dental dam while performing cunnilingus by cutting the tip and base off, then cutting length-wise to form a rectangular sheet.
4) Take a Breather
In the throes of passion, unexpected things may happen. It pays to take pause and make sure the condom has not been damaged during opening by a nail passing by, ring, etc. Why not have your partner assist in giving a thorough, sensual inspection?
5) Being Mouthy
We’ve all been there, your hands are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. Okay, so there may be no spaghetti but sex is messy with body fluid and lube. The only thing left is your mouth but opening a condom wrapper with your teeth could lead to a tear. Use your hands just to eliminate any risks.
6) Right-side Up
It’s a classic mistake: trying to unroll the condom over the penis, only to realize you had it upside-down. While you may be tempted to quickly flip it over, even that brief contact with pre-ejaculate requires that you get a fresh condom. To avoid in future, try unrolling it slightly with your fingers first.
7) Going All the Way
When you unroll a condom along the shaft, it must be completely unrolled to the very end. The base of the condom should reach that of the penis to prevent the condom becoming stuck within your partner. The receiver could try giving a slow sensual massage to ensure it has unrolled fully.
8) The Perfect Host
Do you always keep a bottle of wine in the cupboard or a case of beer in the fridge, just in case? This should be your policy―always keep a pack in your bedside drawer. Don’t wait until you have one left to restock either, because that leaves you out of luck if you’d like to have morning sex or if it breaks while you’re putting it on.
9) Not for Your Pocket
Apparently if you read all the terms and conditions and warnings in a year you agree to, it would take you 76 work days. Although most people just skip and agree, warnings on condom packaging actually should be read. Condoms can last a quite a while…provided you store them under the right conditions. Keeping a condom in a wallet for any extended amount of time is generally a bad idea due to the heat from your body as you sit, as well as the wear it may face from your movements. It’s best that everyone―ladies and gents―make sure to keep some in their bedside table and away from heat, light and moisture.
10) Expired Aspirations
There are generally two types of people―those who throw food away the second it hits its expiry date and those who view ‘best before’ as a suggestion. We feel it doesn’t bear explanation which attitude you should adopt when it comes to the (quite generous) expiry dates on condoms.
11) Wet, Wet, Wet!
We are big preachers of using lube; the wetter the better! Although most condoms come pre-lubricated, but both you and your partner may appreciate a little more applied within and outside. If doing so, don’t go crazy and make the inside too slick or you may encounter slippage. As well, make sure to stick to water-based lubricants as oil-based ones will degrade the latex.
12) Over Prepared
Despite wanting to save time, condoms are designed to be unrolled along erect penises, thus attempting to unroll a condom first, then put it on will result in difficulty and cause more hassle than anything.
13) Under Pressure
The reservoir tip was introduced back in the 30s and those old timers knew the score! It’s important to squeeze the tip to keep air from getting trapped. Much like over-filling a balloon, if there is air in the reservoir tip, it may burst.
14) Double Dipping
Unfortunately, reduce, reuse and recycle can 100% not be applied to condoms. Firstly, if you penetrate a new partner with a condom that has been in another (such as during a threesome) you are defeating the intended purpose of stopping the spread of bacteria. If you’re feeling frisky and ready for round two, reusing a condom runs the risks of overflowing and potentially causing tears.
15) Slow to Retreat
Who can’t help but bask in the sweet post-orgasm glow? We get it, it’s a moment to be cherished, however it is not advisable to rest within each other for too long when using a condom. As the wearer loses their erection, the liquid may leak and it is possible that the condoms can get ‘stuck’ when they try to withdraw. Ensure you hold onto the condom as the receiver withdraws.
Everything Is Better Than Nothing
The worst mistake is obviously that of not using a condom at all, either when relying on condoms as a primary method of contraception, or when with a new partner (which includes when in an open relationship).
Blog source: Lelo.com
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What good is using a seatbelt if you don’t put it on correctly, or a helmet that doesn’t fit? Similarly, what is the point of using a condom if you aren’t using it correctly? When perfectly used, a male condom is 98% effective at preventing pregnancy, but typical usage errors make that number drop down to 85%! That is a percentage drop that should not be ignored.
Look we get it, in the heat of the moment, reaching for any condom is better than nothing, but with a little preparation and bearing these common mistakes in mind, you can enjoy sexy, worry-free play time.
1) If the Shoe Fits |
Too large, and you’re likely to see slipping and leakage. Many men who find the standard size or XL to be uncomfortable, immediately jump to the conclusion that condoms just don’t fit them. Take our word for it though, condoms come in many lengths and widths, so take the fun (and safe) plunge and try as many different sizes, until you find what suits you best.
2) From the Get Go
Condoms are a barrier contraceptive which means that although they do contain seminal fluid, they also act as a barrier to pre-ejacualte; protecting both the user and their partner from passing harmful bacteria and causing infections. Therefore, it doesn’t make sense to wait until after penetration or ‘rubbing’ to put the condom on; it should be put on before any genital to genital contact.
3) A Slip of the Tongue
Ah oral sex; what some call the crème de la crème of all sexual acts. It may not result in pregnancy, but it can lead to STIs (Sexually Transmitted Infections). It can be worn during a blow job, or turned into a dental dam while performing cunnilingus by cutting the tip and base off, then cutting length-wise to form a rectangular sheet.
4) Take a Breather
In the throes of passion, unexpected things may happen. It pays to take pause and make sure the condom has not been damaged during opening by a nail passing by, ring, etc. Why not have your partner assist in giving a thorough, sensual inspection?
5) Being Mouthy
We’ve all been there, your hands are sweaty, knees weak, arms are heavy. Okay, so there may be no spaghetti but sex is messy with body fluid and lube. The only thing left is your mouth but opening a condom wrapper with your teeth could lead to a tear. Use your hands just to eliminate any risks.
6) Right-side Up
It’s a classic mistake: trying to unroll the condom over the penis, only to realize you had it upside-down. While you may be tempted to quickly flip it over, even that brief contact with pre-ejaculate requires that you get a fresh condom. To avoid in future, try unrolling it slightly with your fingers first.
7) Going All the Way
When you unroll a condom along the shaft, it must be completely unrolled to the very end. The base of the condom should reach that of the penis to prevent the condom becoming stuck within your partner. The receiver could try giving a slow sensual massage to ensure it has unrolled fully.
8) The Perfect Host
Do you always keep a bottle of wine in the cupboard or a case of beer in the fridge, just in case? This should be your policy―always keep a pack in your bedside drawer. Don’t wait until you have one left to restock either, because that leaves you out of luck if you’d like to have morning sex or if it breaks while you’re putting it on.
9) Not for Your Pocket
Apparently if you read all the terms and conditions and warnings in a year you agree to, it would take you 76 work days. Although most people just skip and agree, warnings on condom packaging actually should be read. Condoms can last a quite a while…provided you store them under the right conditions. Keeping a condom in a wallet for any extended amount of time is generally a bad idea due to the heat from your body as you sit, as well as the wear it may face from your movements. It’s best that everyone―ladies and gents―make sure to keep some in their bedside table and away from heat, light and moisture.
10) Expired Aspirations
There are generally two types of people―those who throw food away the second it hits its expiry date and those who view ‘best before’ as a suggestion. We feel it doesn’t bear explanation which attitude you should adopt when it comes to the (quite generous) expiry dates on condoms.
11) Wet, Wet, Wet!
We are big preachers of using lube; the wetter the better! Although most condoms come pre-lubricated, but both you and your partner may appreciate a little more applied within and outside. If doing so, don’t go crazy and make the inside too slick or you may encounter slippage. As well, make sure to stick to water-based lubricants as oil-based ones will degrade the latex.
12) Over Prepared
Despite wanting to save time, condoms are designed to be unrolled along erect penises, thus attempting to unroll a condom first, then put it on will result in difficulty and cause more hassle than anything.
13) Under Pressure
The reservoir tip was introduced back in the 30s and those old timers knew the score! It’s important to squeeze the tip to keep air from getting trapped. Much like over-filling a balloon, if there is air in the reservoir tip, it may burst.
14) Double Dipping
Unfortunately, reduce, reuse and recycle can 100% not be applied to condoms. Firstly, if you penetrate a new partner with a condom that has been in another (such as during a threesome) you are defeating the intended purpose of stopping the spread of bacteria. If you’re feeling frisky and ready for round two, reusing a condom runs the risks of overflowing and potentially causing tears.
15) Slow to Retreat
Who can’t help but bask in the sweet post-orgasm glow? We get it, it’s a moment to be cherished, however it is not advisable to rest within each other for too long when using a condom. As the wearer loses their erection, the liquid may leak and it is possible that the condoms can get ‘stuck’ when they try to withdraw. Ensure you hold onto the condom as the receiver withdraws.
Everything Is Better Than Nothing
The worst mistake is obviously that of not using a condom at all, either when relying on condoms as a primary method of contraception, or when with a new partner (which includes when in an open relationship).