These condom tips might seem basic, but they are important! Also, even if some of these might be old news, it never hurts to brush up on sexual safety. Here
FIND THE RIGHT FIT
Show me any penis, and I’ll show you a brand that will fit. There’s no excuse being too big, short, thick, or whatever. There is always something out there that will fit you properly.
PUT IT ON THE RIGHT WAY
- After you’ve opened it the right way, more on that later, put the condom on the tip of your fingers and test to make sure you’re rolling it the right way.
- Pinch the tip (to leave room for ejaculate)
- Add a couple of drops of lube inside (extra pleasure).
- Place it on the tip and use one hand to hold it while the other hand rolls it down to the base.
- When you’re done, hold the base while pulling out.
CHECK THE EXPIRARY DATE
Old condoms lose their strength and stretch. This could lead to breakage (which is, duh, bad). They will last around five years or less if there is spermicide.
CHECK THE PACKAGE
Make sure there are no tears or punctures in any of the packaging (the box or the cover). This could come from tampering or being stored incorrectly (e.g. don’t keep them with your keys!)
STORE THEM RIGHT
Not in your wallet and not in the glove compartment. Store them in a cool, dry place away from any sharp objects and direct sunlight.
DON’T BUY ON HOLIDAY
If you’re going for some big holiday or vacation, make sure you stock up before you leave. Packs in the hotel or other such places will have a much higher markup. On another similar note, don’t buy them on online sites that come from individual sellers (like Ebay or Etsy). Stick to trusted sellers.
CAREFUL OPENING IT
You’ve probably seen someone peel open the cover with their teeth (I’ve been guilty of that, especially when my lands are covered in lube), or you/your partner has impressively long nails. Either way, be careful opening things that you don’t damage what’s inside.
DON’T DOUBLE UP
For some reason, the myth of “putting on two condoms for double the safety” is still floating around. Please don’t do this! In fact, you’re putting your and your partner at higher risk doing this because the extra friction can cause tearing. The same goes for using a male AND female condom. One is fine. You can increase your sex safety by using extra birth control as well as being honest about your sexual heath.
USE THE RIGHT LUBE
Some lubes don’t work with condoms – specifically oil-based ones. The ingredients can cause the material to breakdown. Just stick with water-based or even silicone lube.
KNOW WHEN TO STOP
All of a sudden things feel different, or even better? Please pull out and check that things aren’t broken.
CHANGE IT OUT
I’ve seen different numbers sounding this piece of advice, but the general idea is to change out your protection for a new one every 15 to 30 minutes. This is because, again, friction is pleasurable but it’s not your friend when it comes to avoiding rips or tears. This also ties into the next tip…
A NEW ONE PER INTERCOURSE
If you’ve ejaculated, taken a break, and then want another round, make sure to use a new one!
DON’T SLEEP WITH IT ON
Post coital bliss can pull us into snuggles … and/or snoring. However, before you say hello to the Sandman, take it off. Also, don’t fall asleep “inside” your partner. That being said…
DISPOSE CORRECTLY
Yeah, it might be tempting to toss it on the floor or wherever – I’ve had a partner that did that…ew. But it’s not just avoiding pregnancy that proper disposal becomes important. There are some STIs that can come from just skin contact. Wrap it in a tissue or tie off the end and put it inside the wrapper, then toss it in the garbage. Do NOT flush them down the toilet!
BE WARY OF QUALITY
It goes without saying, but some condoms are better than others – even comparing cheap to cheap or high-end to high-end. However, regardless of price, there are some things you should watch out for, specifically the special stamp – Condoms must be labeled with a quality assurance mark to be considered safe.
- ISO 4074 – (International Organization for Standardization) quality and standard levels for male latex condoms
- ISO 13485 – products have met the essential standards of a medical II device
- European CE mark – means the product is safe for European distribution and meets the essential requirements for a medical device.
- BSI kite mark – this is the British version of the CE mark
NOW, IT’S SAF*ER SEX
Remember, birth control and other sex aids are not 100%. And since there is the chance of any one of them failing, make sure to have multiple options ready and at your disposal.
Any crazy condom stories you want to share? Leave a comment!
