It's National Condom Week!
We're in the thick of National Condom Week and unless you're on a liberal college campus, you may have forgotten about it. In honor of this special time, it's time for a quick recap on the condom, and why it's one of the more effective ways to prevent pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases for many couples.
Condoms, like so many other things, come in a variety of flavors, colors and styles - dry, lubricated, coated in spermicide. They prevent pregnancy by collecting male ejaculate. Covering the penis also reduces the risk of getting a sexually transmitted infection.
Ladies and gents! If you are involved with a partner who uses condoms, you need to know how put them on as well. Being comfortable in putting on condoms keeps sexual intercourse from getting awkward and allows you to focus on intimacy instead of safe sex issues!
Only use a condom once, lubricating the inside lightly and placing the rolled condom over the tip of the hard penis. Leave a small space at the tip to collect ejaculate, pinching the air out of the tip and then unrolling the condom over the penis. Smooth out any air bubbles and lubricate the outside of the condom, and you'll be good to go!
Many of us forget the advantageous female condom! It's a plastic pouch inserted into the vagina or anus and like a latex condom, it is inserted right before intercourse and helps prevent pregnancy while also reducing the risk of STDs.
The pouch has two flexible rings at each end - there is a ring at the closed end that holds the pouch inside the vagina, and a ring on the open end that stays outside the vagina's opening during sex. Depending on how correctly you use the female condom, the method is 79%-95% effective in preventing pregnancies.
If you're allergic to latex, the female condom is a great alternative. It can be used with oil and water based lubricants. It's easily available and inexpensive compared to methods such as the birth control pill. And unlike a latex condom, it stays in place even if the male loses his erection.
We value and respect the experiences of all of our HERWriters, but everyone is different. Many of our writers are speaking from personal experience, and what's worked for them may not work for you. Their articles are not a substitute for medical advice although we hope you can gain knowledge from their insight.
Add a Comment3 Comments
didn't know you could put a female condom into an anus. seems like a lot of homosexual men should use them...but then they'd have to change the name from female condom to...i don't know. something more gay-sculine.
April 23, 2010 - 11:43amThis Comment
Lol at that guy ^
July 5, 2010 - 1:51amwell yes condoms are good what else can you say lol
June 2, 2011 - 2:00pm