Are Condoms a “No”? Get in the Know!
When things get hot and heavy, using condoms during sex may be overlooked. To see where safe sex falls on your priority list, use the flow chart above as a guide.
In 2013, the National College Health Assessment (NCHA) survey uncovered information about McMaster students with regards to their sexual health. Shockingly, only 44.6% of males and 51.7% of females reported that they used contraceptives the last time they had vaginal intercourse. Of the 44.6% males who used a contraceptive method, only 72.1% of them reported using an external condom (male)… meaning, 27.9% of them were still at risk of transmitting or receiving a sexually transmitted infections (STIs) such as gonorrhea, the human papilloma virus (HPV), genital herpes, chlamydia, syphilis and/or hepatitis B.
The Do’s and Don’ts of Condom Use
- Check the expiration date on the condom before use.
- Use a new condom before each sex act.
- Do not bite or use scissors when opening condoms.
- Put on a condom when the penis is erect, before sexual penetration.
- Add lube to the outside of the condom to avoid excess friction that may cause breakage.
- After ejaculation, remove your penis before it becomes flaccid by holding the condom close to the base of the penis and carefully withdrawing. Take off the condom once you’ve withdrawn.
- Discard used condoms.
- If you feel a condom break while having intercourse, stop, withdraw immediately and tell your partner.
Here’s How You Can Talk to Your Partner About Condoms:
Your partner says: “It’s uncomfortable.”
You say: “Let’s try a different brand or size. It just takes some getting used to.”
Your partner says: “I won’t enjoy sex if we use a condom.”
You say: “It’s difficult for me to enjoy sex when we are not taking certain safety precautions.”
Your partner says: “If we really love each other, we should trust each other.”
You say: “I love you enough to make sure that we’re both safe and protected from any risks.”
Your partner says: “Are you nervous about catching something?”
You say: “Sometimes people don’t even know when they have infections, so it’s better to be safe.”
Your partner says: “I don’t know how to put it on.”
You say: “Here, let me show you.”
Sources
- Sex and U – The Society of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of Canada
- ACHA-NCHAII Spring 2013 McMaster University