Most of us remember that awkward conversation in eighth grade. Ya know, the one that starts off with an explanation of how sex happens, in mostly scientific terms so we’re not sure if the guy’s talking about babymaking or the moon landing. Either way, most of these discussions end with a demonstration of rolling a condom over a banana (no wonder we now find LC Banana Eaters so gloriously humiliating). Most people remember this part of the awkward days, but does it also go for the information passed along with the demonstration? What about the facts that were left out? What about the people who fell asleep in the back because they were up for the midnight showing of whatever Twilight installment had come out? For those people, here’s a general overview of the things that might’ve been forgotten or unlearned in the past few years.
1) The failure rate is between a little over 1% and 3.6%, meaning that the success rate is well over ninety percent.
2) Breakage and slippage are more often related to incorrectly worn, wrongly sized or improper use than the faultiness of the condom. Condoms come in various sizes so the “I’m too big” excuse is invalid. Also, when putting it on, avoid air bubbles at the tip, which can lead to breakage.
3) Condoms decrease susceptibility to STI’s of various kinds including discharge diseases (gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis), genital ulcer diseases (herpes, syphilis, chancroid) and the big one, HIV (the virus that leads to AIDS). Make sure to note that just because you wear a condom for vaginal or anal doesn’t mean you’re protected for oral from disease. So make sure both or all people have either been tested and are clean, or just wrap it to be safe.
4) Lube is fine and dandy to combine with condoms as long as they’re water based. Using products like Vaseline can break down the condom, which isn’t the best idea with all that friction to be had.
5) Double the condoms are not double the protection. It increases the possibility of breakage. No one wants that.
6) The best contraception is by combining condoms with another contraceptive like the pill or IUD (intrauterine device). These other forms of birth control are awesome, but they don’t protect against STI’s. Of course the only one hundred percent solution is abstinence, but that just doesn’t seem to work for everyone.
7) Know how to put it on. Check out Laci Green’s video for proper direction! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VH8ymwaS0BY
8) Lastly, Lasell GIVES YOU FREE CONDOMS! Through both the Health Office and the Health Educator in the counseling center, so “it’s too expensive” isn’t an excuse, kids.
Condoms are a choice, but for most sexually active people they’re a necessity to preventing pregnancy and STI’s, especially in a day and age where people can have multiple partners in a short period of time. So make the right choice for both or all people involved. Safe is sexy.
Happy Hunting.
Works Referenced:
“Condoms: Know the Facts.” Condoms: Myths and Facts. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Jan. 2016. <“>http://www.sexedlibrary.org/>.