22 October 2009
Safe keeping condoms
Condoms can break. Most often because they were either put on wrong, they’ve gotten old or were kept in a bad place. (Your wallet? Seriously? My driver’s license doesn’t last in my wallet.)
But, sometimes the odds are against you and the thing is just going to break. It’s happened to me, it’ll happen to anyone who uses them on a regular basis.
If you’re lucky, you’ll know the second one breaks. When this happens, the guy should pull out, take the old condom off and put a new one on.
Sometimes you aren’t so lucky, and you won’t immediately notice. Same deal as above. Take off the old one, put on a new one.
If you don’t catch it before he comes, don’t freak out. That’s why there is emergency contraception. EC will prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex if taken within 72 hours. It isn’t an abortion, and it isn’t meant as a replacement for regular birth control. Contact your local clinic (Memphis Center for Reproductive Health or Planned Parenthood are two examples) and they’ll help you out. If you are under 18, you’ll need to see a physician first.
You’re also going to want to get tested for STDs if the condom broke. Tests can be done at the same clinics I mentioned before. Testing can be done anonymously via mail-in tests, as well.
While you’re there, pick up some free condoms. Just about every sexual health clinic will have free condoms available to walk-ins.
Oh, it may seem like a good idea to stack two condoms to be extra safe, but don’t. Condoms aren’t made to rub against other condoms. There is a much greater chance they’ll tear.
If you want to be as safe as possible with condoms, keep these things in mind-
-Condoms come with instructions. Normally they are either printed on paper, on the inside of the box. Read them, look at the pictures. You want to know how the thing that’s going to keep you safe works, right?
-Condoms can be tricky, so practice. It seems simple enough, you just roll it on, but there is more to it than that. You’ve got to make sure the right end is pointing up, and to leave some space at the top. You can practice by yourself (I went through a 3-pack practicing before I had sex my first time), or with your partner (foreplay anyone?).
-Condoms don’t last forever. Over time, the latex dries out and starts to crack, making it more likely to tear when stretched out. You wouldn’t drink out of date milk, why would you use an out of date condom?
-Condoms aren’t indestructible. Keep them some place that isn’t hot, and isn’t going to get messed with. There are better places than wallets and purses.
-Condoms are latex. Latex breaks down when it comes in contact with oil based lubricants like baby oil, massage oil, Vaseline or body lotions. Simple rule: if it has “oil” in the name, don’t use it as a lube with condoms. You should only use water based lubricants like KY or Astroglide.
