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IN FOCUS: ARTICLE |
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Roll It On, Slip It Off: The Art of Using a Condom
by Joyce, 12.01.98
By now, you may have gotten to the point where you're comfortable buying condoms at the local drugstore. Congrats! Condoms are an excellent way to reduce the risk of pregnancy and infection. But it's very important to use condoms correctly in order to get that great protection. Here's the scoop on how to become a condom expert!
Practice Makes Perfect
For starters, let's talk about how to put one on. There's a right way to put on a condom. Open the package with your hands — not your teeth! — and take out the condom. Roll it down over an erect penis, squeezing the pointed tip so that no air is trapped inside — that gives the ejaculate a place to go. Roll the condom all the way down to the pubic hair. If it doesn't roll smoothly down the penis, you probably have it inside out. Take it off, throw it out, open a new condom, and try again. Guys can practice on themselves, and girls can practice your condom-rolling technique in private, try a penis-shaped object.
Don't be surprised if the condom-wearer loses a little bit of his erection. That's pretty common, even for long-time condom users, and guys new to sex or condoms can be even more freaked out by the experience. If you can get the condom all the way on, you can leave it on and try other kinds of sex play to try to get the erection back. If you can't get the condom on at all, try again with another condom in a few minutes when the erection has returned. That's why it's a good idea to have more than one condom handy.
By the way, it's important to put the condom on before partners' genitals come in contact. Even if the penis isn't inside the vagina yet, penises can leak pre-ejaculate, a fluid that can contain sperm and can cause pregnancy and pass on sexually transmitted infections.
Wetter Is Better
Lubricated condoms make sex play more comfortable — and safer. A well-lubricated condom is less likely to break. Some condoms come with lubricant already on them. If you use unlubricated condoms, you can add your own water-based lubricant. Never use oil-based lubricants (like Vaseline, baby oil, lotion, and others) because they can cause condoms to break.
Careful: Don't Spill!
After a guy ejaculates, his penis will begin to go soft. It's important to withdraw the penis as soon as possible — otherwise, ejaculate can leak out into the vagina, causing pregnancy or passing on infection.
Sometimes after sex you'll get the nasty surprise of looking down to discover that the condom has either broken or has slipped off and is inside your partner. Yikes! If this should happen, partners may want to consider emergency contraception. EC can reduce the risk of pregnancy if started within 120 hours of unprotected vaginal intercourse. The sooner it is taken, the better. If started within 72 hours of unprotected sex, it can reduce the risk of pregnancy by 75 to 89 percent.
People can get EC by calling 1-800-230-PLAN to find a Planned Parenthood health center near them. Also, some people get EC before they have sex, to keep on hand in case a condom breaks.
And there you have it. When you know what you're doing — and put that knowledge to good use — condoms can be a great way to reduce the risk of pregnancy and infections. |
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