Condoms are the world's best known form of contraception, but only about 5 percent of couples use them, and those that do often encounter unpleasant surprises later. There are 15 common mistakes condom users make that reduce pleasure and effectiveness.
Condoms would seem to be the perfect low-tech, low-cost, easy-to-use method of contraception and protection against sexually transmitted diseases, but the actual results of condom use are disappointing. Here are some of the statistics:
- Condoms protect against unintended pregnancy, but not every time. About 2 percent of couples who use condoms "perfectly," as one study described it, get pregnant by the end of one year's use.
- In a study of condom use among gay men in Toronto, about 51 percent of all new cases of HIV resulted from condom failure. The couple used condoms, but the condoms failed to prevent transmission of the virus. It should be pointed out that only about 7/10 of 1 percent of gay couples that regularly used barrier protection shared HIV every year. Over a 30-year relationship, however, the rate of HIV transmission rises to about 20 percent even when couples use condoms.
- Condoms protect against HIV very well, but not perfectly. Among heterosexual couples in which one partner is HIV-positive and the other is HIV-negative, couples who use condoms every time they have sexual intercourse have an infection rate of about 1 in 600 people per year. Couples who don't use condoms every time they have sexual intercourse have an infection rate of about 1 in 10 people per year, even if the infected partner is on advanced Retroviral therapy. However, using condoms does not absolutely, positive guarantee the uninfected partner will stay HIV-negative.
- Among consistent users of condoms who have multiple partners in heterosexual relationships, condoms fail to protect against syphilis about 2 percent of the time. They fail to protect against gonorrhea about 3 percent of the time. Hepatitis C can be transmitted about 7 percent of the time, chlamydia about 12 percent of the time, and herpes about 13 percent of the time. Condoms greatly reduce the transmission of STD's, but don't eliminate them.
Of course, condoms don't work if couples don't use them. The so-called "girl condom" is not readily available in most of the world. Men usually have to be the partner to wear the condom, and men typically don't like to wear them. The packaging is usually the most annoying feature of condoms. Men have to open the package carefully to avoid ripping the condom, and slow, careful attention to a plastic wrapper isn't really what men have on their minds when they use a condom. Condom manufacturers are hesitant to invest large amounts of money into researching new materials, and various additions to condoms to make their use more pleasurable (vibrators with tiny batteries that run for up to 20 minutes, fruit flavors ranging from tangerine to durian, and exotic delivery methods such as slingshots) fail to catch on. On the other hand, most men and women don't know these basic rules about using condoms correctly:
1. Condoms have to be put on before intercourse, not during intercourse
Studies have found that between 17 and 51 percent of men only put on condoms after intercourse has started. Small amounts of ejaculate may already lead to pregnancy, and being late to put on the condom won't prevent STDs.
2. Condoms can't be removed before intercourse is completed.
Studies also have found that between 14 and 46 percent of men remove condoms and continue intercourse. This practice also defeats the purpose of the condom.
Thirteen More Rules For Successful Use Of Condoms
This next rule may seem obvious to all but men who have an unusually short member.
3. Condoms have to be completely unrolled before they are put on.
Your first thought may be, "How does that even work?" but a surprising number of men, researchers have found, don't bother to stretch out the condom before they put it on. This leaves a large area of plastic or latex that can pull the condom loose or spill its contents.
4. It's essential to leave room at the tip of the condom.
Otherwise semen may leak from the base of the condom, making its use for contraception less effective.
5. However, the tip of the condom should not be filled with air.
Many men, survey data indicate, don't squeeze air out of the tip of the condom before they put it on. This forces ejaculate down the sides of the condom.
6. Condoms should never be worn inside out.
Once a condom is put on, it should not be taken off until intercourse is completed. Beginning use of the condom, then taking it off and turning it inside out exposes the partner to pre-ejaculatory fluids and may result in intercourse or infection.
7. Always make a quick inspection for damage.
Very few users of condoms will inspect a condom for tears or weak points before it is used, but the condom must not be torn or showing signs of previous use, the condom should not be taken from a batch that has passed its expiration date, and it's important to look for visible imperfections while unrolling it.
8. "Hat" or "cap" condoms are impractical.
These mini-condoms are extremely easy to put on, but they also easily fall off, and have to be retrieved. In addition to the problems of retrieval, they fail to protect the shaft of the penis from transmitting or receiving infection (such as herpes or syphilis, in particular) and may not hold semen completely.
9. Sharp objects have to be kept away from condoms.
If something is sharp enough to open the package, it's sharp enough to tear the condom.
10. Condoms need to be lubricated.
Why is lubrication essential for condoms? The longer a condom is used, the more likely it is to break if it is not lubricated. Couples who have sexual stamina need lubricated condoms.
11. Oil-based lubricants and latex condoms don't mix.
Wetter feels better, but oil-based lube or a sex wax can weaken latex condoms. Water-based lubricants are the least likely to cause condom failure, but they may not last through a long lovemaking session. Silicon-based lubricants last longer, but if they contain parabens, they can trigger allergic inflammation in places you really don't want to have to scratch. "Organic" products are typically safer, as long as their primary ingredient is not oil or lanolin.
12. Just a little bit of lube is enough.
A nickel-sized (3 or 4 mm wide) dab of lubricant is enough for both partners. Too much lubrication can cause condom failure, and even make staying inside difficult.
13. Don't let it linger after intercourse.
After ejaculation, both penis and condom have to be removed promptly to avoid leakage.
14. Condoms are not intended for multiple uses.
Besides being icky and gross, reused condoms can transfer semen in their second use.
15. Men should never store condoms in their wallets or in the car.
The conditions in both wallets and glove compartments degrade latex so condoms are more likely to fail. Condoms should be stored in a cool, dry place until they are needed.
Sources & Links
- Giannou FK, Tsiara CG, Nikolopoulos GK, Talias M, Benetou V, Kantzanou M, Bonovas S, Hatzakis A. Condom effectiveness in reducing heterosexual HIV transmission: a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies on HIV serodiscordant couples. Expert Rev Pharmacoecon Outcomes Res. 2015 Oct 21:1-11. [Epub ahead of print] PMID: 26488070.
- Photo courtesy of paulk https://www.flickr.com/photos/paulk/1241749044/
- Photo courtesy of hepe: www.flickr.com/photos/hepe/477187107/