Written
by: Jenne
Condoms
are not just the only form of male contraceptive out there, they
are also the best way to protect you both from Std's as well as
unwanted pregnancies. I've heard men complain they are unpleasant
to use but compared with fathering a child or catching and having
to deal with an std I think it's a small price to pay. Couple
that with the fact that nowadays condoms have come a long way
as far as size, shape, tastes and materials than were first used
and there really is no excuses for not using one.
When
you consider the first documented condoms were used in Ancient
Egypt and were made from various animal membranes we have certainly
come a long way. Most condoms nowadays are made from either latex
or polyurethane. Although it is still possible to buy ones made
from lambskin these are not recommended as they are porous and
offer no protection against std's. All condoms must be FDA approved
before marketing and the biggest reason that most condoms fail,
i.e.: result in pregnancy, is due to misuse by the end user: You!
If
you've never used a condom before then I strongly suggest that
you begin with a practice run on something other than your partners
penis. Believe it or not, my first foray into the world of condoms
was during a sex toy party. One of the games that was used to
break the ice was to see which one of us could place a condom
over a cucumber not only in the fastest time but also correctly.
You'd be surprised how many of us put it on that cucumber upside
down! Infact this is probably the most common mistake people make
when first using condoms and it's an important step to get right,
which is why practice can help whether your male of female. As
a general rule of thumb if it takes more than a thirty seconds
to put a condom on, it's inside out!
Another
thing to remember about condoms is just like eggs and milk they
come with a sell by date! Apply the same principals of grocery
shopping to using condoms and don't use out of date condoms. In
general, condoms containing spermicide have a shelf life of three
years; those without spermicide have a shelf life of five years.
Read the label and adhere to it unless you prefer to run the risk
of having to visit your doctor to either have a pregnancy test
or pieces of latex removed from your vagina. I know that I prefer
reading the label.
Guys,
another word of warning here, if you usually carry you condoms
in the back pocket of your jeans, then think about that piece
of gum you kept in there for a day before deciding not to eat
it. A much safer bet is to carry them inside your jacket or shirt
pocket. Girls, if you don't carry condoms then ask yourself why
not? Most of us carry tampons or pads in our bags, so why not
condoms? You can now even purchase snazzy protective cases for
your condoms, hint: they make great gifts-)) Wherever you choose
to keep your condoms remember that long exposure to heat can break
down the latex used to make them, so the glove compartment in
your car might not be such a good idea either.
So
we know that there are many types of condoms out there, how should
you go about choosing one that's right for you and your partner?
There are a few facts that you should know before making your
purchase. If Std's are your main worry when having sex, then make
sure your choice is made of latex. The centers for disease control
says that for sexual activity, latex condoms offer the best protection.
Many
people - Okay guys, tell us that they are on the large size and
that condoms don't fit properly. There are now condoms designed
for the larger male but please only buy these if you really need
them guys!! It may be cool to walk into the store and buy the
biggest size they have to offer but if during the crucial moments
it slips off believe me you won't look so cool in your partners
eyes! Just those two facts will narrow your choices down a little.
All that's left to decide now is if you want ribbed, extra sensitive,
or the one that tastes like chocolate -)) Yeah there are a lot
out there to choose from, but this one time that you get to have
fun as you try to find the one that's right for you. And it's
worth the effort when you consider the average cost of raising
a child is estimated at $50,000 a year!
Another
common complaint I've heard from people about condoms is that
they lose the moment when they put them on. This doesn't have
to be the case and is one of the reasons I suggest you practice
before the big event, so to speak. Like most things, if you feel
confident in your ability you are likely to be a better lover.
Below
is a summary of the most important points that surround the use
of condoms. Remember these and you won't go wrong!
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1]
Check expiration date.
2]
Keep in a cool, dry place. Do not carry them in your wallet
for future use (they may damage).
3]
Do not unroll your condom until you're ready to place it
on a penis. ·
4]
Roll on condom once penis is erect.
5]
Pinch the top part of the condom and roll the condom downward
on the penis (make sure to leave some space at the top to
collect semen).
6]
If you aren't circumcised, be sure to pull back the foreskin
before rolling on the condom.
7]
Add a water-based lubricant on the condom to reduce damage
from friction. Do not use oil-based lubes because they can
damage latex condoms. If the condom tears, it's become worthless,
remove and reapply a new one.
8]
Grip the base of the condom on your penis to pull out the
vagina or anus once you ejaculate or your penis gets soft
so it doesn't slip off making it ineffective.
9]
Remove from penis making sure that your semen remains at
the tip.
10]
Throw away condom in garbage. Do not flush as it may clog
the pipes.
11]
Urinate immediately afterwards and wash your hands with
soap.
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