What is a condom?
Condoms can simply be referred to as thin, stretchy pouches which you wear on your penis amid sex. Condoms provide excellent protection against pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Condoms are easy to use and at the same time, they are very easy to get. For condoms to work well, you should use them properly, all the time, every time you are having sex and may take some time to get used to it.
How does a condom work?
Condoms are small, thin pouches which are made of many plastic materials such as latex (rubber), plastic (polyurethane, nitrile or polyisoprene) or lambskin which covers the surface area of your penis during sex and also helps to collect semen. Condoms prevent sperm entering the vagina so that the sperm cannot get in touch with egg and cause pregnancy. Sexually transmitted diseases are prevented by condoms. This is dues to the fact that condoms cover your penis during sex which prevents contact with sperm and vaginal secretions and restricts skin to skin contact that can spread sexually transmitted infections. Lambskin condoms do not protect against sexually transmitted diseases. It is only latex and plastic condoms that protect against sexually transmitted diseases.
HOW DO I USE A CONDOM?
Step 1: check the pack of the condom to make sure that it has not expired.
Step 2: Gently open the pack. This can be done with nails, rings, and teeth.
Step 3: Ensure that your penis does not touch your partner’s vagina, mouth or anus before covering it with the condom.
Step 4: Make sure the condom is in the right direction.
Step 5: Touch the tip of the condom to remove the air.
Step 6: Roll the condom on your erect penis down to the base.
Step 7: Make use of a water-based lubricant (for example KY jelly, Wet Stuff, Sylk gel and top gel). Oil-based lubricants such as Vaseline can break up latex or rubber condoms.
Step 8: After ejaculation and during withdrawal, hold the condom under the base of your penis so that the sperm will not be spilled.
Step 9: Wrap the used condom in a tissue or toilet paper and place it in the garbage cans.
Step 10: Use a new condom and lubricant every time you make love!
Are you safe using condoms?
When condoms are used correctly every time you have sex, condoms offer very good protection against pregnancy and infection. When a condom is used correctly every time a woman and her husband have sex, every year every two women out of every 100 women are pregnant. Generally, however, 15 out of 100 pregnancies each year using condoms as a contraceptive. In addition, it is difficult for viruses such as HIV to pass through an unbroken rubber condom.
Are condoms effective against sexually transmitted diseases?
Male and female condoms are the only contraceptive methods that also prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections, including HIV. Even if you are already using a different kind of contraception to prevent pregnancy, it is important for you and your partner to use condoms every time you have sex to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases.
WHY DO CONDOMS SLIP OR BREAK?
- When it not placed properly.
- Torn by fingernails, jewelry or teeth.
- There is not enough lubrication (wetness) during sex.
- When a bad lubricant is used.
- Very rough sex. (it’s not very likely to happen)
- The penis becomes soft before withdrawal.
- Condom slips off during withdrawal.
- The rubber loses its strength when condoms are stored in a warm place, such as a glove box or a hip pocket.
- When condoms are expired and rubber may lose its strength.
Meet and discuss with your doctor if you have an issue with the use of condoms.
