To put the condom on correctly, you must open the packaging carefully, unroll the condom and place it on the head of the penis, squeezing the tip to remove the air and roll it out to the base of the penis.
Putting on a condom correctly is important not only to prevent pregnancy, but also to protect against various sexually transmitted infections, such as HIV, chlamydia or gonorrhea, and should be used in all sexual relations and whenever the genital organ comes into contact with the mouth or with the anus.
There are several types of male condoms, which vary in size, color, thickness, material and even flavor, and can be purchased in pharmacies and some supermarkets or purchased at health centers for free. See what types of condoms are and what each one is for.
6 steps to put on a condom
To put on the male condom correctly, it is important to follow the following steps:
- Confirm that the condom is within its expiration date and that the packaging is not damaged by tears or holes;
- Open the packaging carefully without using teeth, nails, knives or scissors;
- Hold the end of the condom and try to unroll it a little, to identify the correct side. If the condom does not unroll, you must turn the tip to the other side;
- Place the condom on the head of the penissqueezing the tip of the condom to prevent air from entering;
- Unroll the condom to the base of the penis and then, holding the base of the condom, pull the tip slightly to create a space between the penis and the condom;
- Tighten the space created at the tip of the condom to remove all the air.
After ejaculation, you must remove the condom with the penis still erect and close the opening with your hand to prevent sperm from escaping.
Then, tie a small knot in the middle of the condom and throw it in the trash, as a new condom must be used for each relationship.
How do you know the correct side of the condom?
To know the correct side of the condom, after opening the packaging you should try to unroll it a little. If it unfolds, it means it is on the right side.
5 most common mistakes when putting on a condom
According to several studies, the most common errors related to condom use include:
1. Not checking for damage
Although this is one of the most important steps when using a condom, many men forget to look at the packaging to check the expiration date and look for possible damage, which could reduce the condom’s effectiveness.
What to do: Before opening the condom, it is very important to confirm the expiration date and check if there are any holes or tears in the packaging. Furthermore, you should never open the packaging using your teeth, nails or a knife, for example, as they could pierce the condom.
2. Putting on the condom too late
More than half of men put on a condom after starting penetration, but before ejaculating to avoid pregnancy.
However, this practice does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and, even if it reduces the risk, it does not completely prevent pregnancy as the lubricating liquid released before sperm can also contain sperm.
What to do: Put on a condom before any type of penetration, whether vaginal or anal, and before oral sex.
Read too: 12 STI symptoms in men and what to do
3. Unroll the condom before putting it on
Unrolling the condom completely before putting it on makes the process difficult and can result in minor damage that increases the risk of contracting sexually transmitted infections (STIs), such as HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis or hepatitis B.
Furthermore, other STIs that can be transmitted through contact with the skin or mucous membranes when the condom is not used correctly are genital herpes, syphilis, Haemophilus ducreyi or HPV. Check out the main types of STI.
What to do: the condom must be unrolled over the penis, from the tip to the base, allowing it to stay in place.
4. Do not leave space at the tip of the condom
After putting on the condom, it is common to forget to leave a free space between the head of the penis and the condom.
This increases the chances of the condom breaking, especially after ejaculation, when sperm fills all the free space.
What to do: After unrolling the condom on the penis, you must hold the condom at the base and pull lightly on the tip, to create a reservoir in the front. Then, it is important to squeeze this reservoir to expel any air that may be trapped.
5. Using a condom without lubricant
Lubrication is very important during intimate contact and that is why the penis produces a liquid that helps lubricate.
However, when using a condom, this liquid cannot pass through and, if the woman’s lubrication is not sufficient, the friction created between the condom and the vagina can break the condom.
What to do: use water-based lubricant to maintain adequate lubrication during intercourse or use condoms that already come with lubricant.
Another option is to use a female condom, which must be used by the woman during intercourse. See how to put on a female condom correctly.
Read too: Condom allergy: symptoms and what to do
Can the condom be reused?
Condoms are a disposable contraceptive method, meaning they cannot be reused under any circumstances.
This is because reusing condoms can increase the chances of breakage and, consequently, transmission of sexually transmitted infections and even pregnancy.
Furthermore, washing condoms with soap and water is not enough to eliminate fungi, viruses or bacteria that may be present there, increasing the chance of transmission of these infectious agents, especially those responsible for sexually transmitted diseases.
After using a condom, it is recommended to discard it and, if there is a desire for another sexual relationship, it is necessary to use another condom.
What are the condom sizes?
The size of the condom varies according to the diameter of the penis.
Therefore, the diameter of the condom can vary between 49 and 60 mm, and it is important that it is not loose so as not to come loose during sexual intercourse, nor tight to avoid pain during intercourse.
Furthermore, when it comes to length, the condom can be between 16 and 19 cm.
It is common for condoms to be sold as S, M, L or GG, and it is important to check the information regarding their size on the packaging, which may vary according to the manufacturer. In general, size P condoms are known as “teen condoms”. See how to know your penis size.
