Male condoms are one of the oldest methods of contraception and unlike any other method, a condom has a dual use: they stop conception and are also effective in protecting against some sexually transmitted infections (STI) including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). They may also help protect against cancer of the cervix.
There are many different kinds to chose from and can be made of very thin latex (rubber), polyurethane (plastic), sheep or lambskin. They usually come rolled into a ring shape. Unfortunately male condoms made of sheep or lambskin do not provide protection against STDs such us HIV/AIDS. Some men and women prefer the animal skin condoms because they say that they can feel more during intercourse, reason for that being that they are made thinner and can conduct heat better than those made of other materials.
Male condoms come in all different shapes, colours, sizes, textures, even flavours and lubrications. They work by creating a barrier that physically traps the sperm released when the man ejaculates. However be aware that some condoms are not designed to prevent pregnancy and are made for their novelty value only, so make sure to check in the packaging first.
Male condoms are put over the erected penis to prevent the sperm from entering the woman's vagina. The sperm ejaculated will remain in the sheath of the condom, which is then carefully discarded.
Male condoms should always be worn before any contact occurs between the penis and the woman's body.
Reason for this is because even the tiniest amount of fluid released during the earliest stages of an erection in a man can cause pregnancy or infection if it comes into contact with the vagina.
Male condoms need to be used correctly and carefully to ensure that they do not come off or split while having sex and each can only be used once each time.
They also have expiry dates so you need to ensure that they are well in date before their use. If they are older than two years, throw them away.
Good quality male condoms will also provide a mark in the packaging which shows they conform to a particular standard. In the United Kingdom, the British Standards Institute (BSI) Kitemark is shown.
Male condoms that are not made out of polyurethane, should not be used in conjunction with oil based products, such as body oils or petroleum jelly, since these will damage the material they are made our of. Use only special lubrications. Oil based products will break down the material in the condoms within minutes, leaving holes in them.
Petroleum jelly will also remove the natural lubrication in a woman's vagina so they are not recommended as a method of lubrication while having intercourse.
Adding a few drops of a non-oil-based lubricant to the inside of the condom before rolling it onto the erect penis can increase the man's sensitivity. Women normally also enjoy sex more by adding more lubricant when a condom is used, specially if they suffer form vaginal dryness; this can be done by gently rubbing either a cream or gel form of lubricant onto the condom while the penis is erected before it is inserted into the vagina.
One important piece of information that both men and women should be aware of is that if too much lubricant is added during intercourse, this can actually inhibit sensitivity because there will be too great a reduction in friction. It is best to add the lubricant as needed and a bit at a time.
A male condom should always be worn whenever you and your partner have sex (that includes either oral or anal sex and with this last, non-oil based lubrication should always be used to prevent the condom from breakage during friction).
Soon after ejaculation, the man should withdraw his erect penis, holding the condom at the base.
Many condoms are also treated with the spermicidal nonoxinol-9, a chemical which both kills the sperm and lubricates the condom. However, these are now being phased out because research has indicated that nonoxinol-9 may increase the risk of catching certain STIs.
Condom-safe spermicidal, whether included in a pre-packaged lubricated male condom or added independently, can cause allergies, and should not be used by those who find them irritating.
For people with an allergy to latex or the spermicidal used in ordinary condoms, there are special hypoallergenic ones available.
If condoms are not used correctly, they are only 85% effective in preventing pregnancy, this means that 15 women in a 100 will get pregnant in a year; whereas if used correctly they are 98% effective, meaning only 2 women in a 100 will become pregnant in a year.
Male condoms must be kept sealed and stored away from heat since being expose to high temperatures can break down the rubber and cause tearing.
Keeping male condoms in a wallet or back pocket, even though convenient, is a bad idea since keeping them to body temperature for long periods of time can weaken them down too much for them to remain reliable.
Never wear two male condoms at once, since it actually reduces your safety x2 because the friction created by the two layers often causes them to tear.
Unfortunately there are many down sides to using male condoms since couples often find that they make sex less spontaneous and intimate so it is important to turn the application of the use of a condom into a pleasurable experience.
Other complaints include the man having to stop all movement after ejaculation and withdraw his penis in order not to risk having the condom slip off and cause semen to come in contact with the vagina.
When male condoms are first use they can be difficult putting them on and therefore can become embarrassing, but this is a problem easily overcome with practise.
Anybody that is mature enough to have sex, will understand that the disadvantages of using a male condom are minor compared with the overwhelming difficulties of and unwanted pregnancy or STD.
- Using male condoms correctly:
Whoever will be fitting the male condom should open the condom wrapper before any genital contact is made.
When opening up the wrapper make sure not to tear the condom with sharp fingernails or jewellery by carefully tearing along one side of the foil and removing the condom. Never use scissors or any other sharp objects to open the wrapper.
Place the rolled-up male condom on the tip of the erect penis, squeeze the teat or the closed end of the condom to get rid of any trapped air and carefully unroll it over the penis's entire length.
Male condoms unroll in one direction only so if the condom is being unrolled the wrong way while being fitted on, make sure that you throw it away and use a new one, since pre-ejaculated sperm may have come into contact with the outside portion of the condom.
Some male condoms have a reservoir tip to collect the ejaculated sperm, but if that is not the case make sure that you do not stretch it or roll it tightly against the head of the penis; make sure you leave ½ an inch of space to make room for ejaculation.
Always make sure that the male condom stays on during sex. If it slips off, you need to remove it and put a new one on straight away.
After the ejaculation, but before the erection is lost, the condom should be held in place at the base against the penis shaft while withdrawing the penis from the vagina. Remove the condom straight away. Allowing the penis to become flaccid before withdrawing could cause the condom to slip off and accidentally allow sperm to enter the vagina.
If a male condom bursts or tears during intercourse but before ejaculation happens, stop sex immediately and remove the condom. One way to respond to this problem if it is to happen after ejaculation, is by the woman filling her vagina with spermicidal foam, jelly or cream, and leaving it in place until it dissolve. She may also chose to use an emergency contraceptive hormone pill.
Always dispose of the male condom in a hygienically way by wrapping it in a tissue and throwing it way in the bin. Never flush it down the toilet.
Be safe, enjoy sex.
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