Did you know that eight out of ten people who use condoms during sexual intercourse make one or more mistakes that increase the risk of unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (Sanders, 2012)? To protect yourself, follow these tips:
- Check the expiration date and avoid condoms that have been exposed to high temperatures (e.g., in the car, at kiosks in the summer, etc.).
- Open the condom when the penis is erect and before it touches the genital or anal area. Remember that during erection, there is an escape of fluids that can carry germs and sperm.
- Open the condom with your hands, not with sharp objects.
- When installing it, press the edge slightly to let the air out and ensure it covers the entire penis.
- Never reuse a condom, even after the first penetration.
- If you use a spermicidal lubricant, make sure it is water-based (ask for it at the pharmacy), as petroleum jelly and oils can neutralize it.
- Do not worry about a reduction in erection during insertion. Once you focus on sexual stimuli again, the erection will be restored.
- Practice using a condom with masturbation.
- Ensure you have the condom with you before intercourse begins.
- If you regularly lose your erection when putting on a condom, you are probably under a lot of stress at that time. Try using it regularly during masturbation, gradually increasing the time you leave it on the penis. However, if the problem persists, you should consult a sexologist. In any case, avoiding its use is not a solution.
Reference: Sanders SA, Yarber WL, Kaufman EL et al. (2012) Condom use errors and problems: a global view. Sex Health 9:81-95.
