Image via Complex Original
Chances are, if you’re a man of a certain age, you’ve probably used a condom. You may even think you are a veritable prophylactic expert, having employed said penis-wrapping devices on multiple occasions with an assortment of partners. Indeed, condoms are the most widely available form of birth control in the world, so it stands to reason that folks generally assume they can use them correctly. Unfortunately that isn’t always the case: While you may believe that putting on a condom is self-explanatory, there are numerous mistakes that you might never have considered. With those egregious errors in mind, we’ve put together a list of common condom faux pas to help you avoid STIs, unwanted pregnancies, and—at the very least—embarrassment in the bedroom. After all, condoms are one thing you most certainly do not want to be doing wrong.
Leave (a little) room.
When putting on a condom, make sure to leave room in the tip—that reservoir at the end is for collecting sperm. If you pull a condom all the way down, semen is likely to be pushed toward the base of the condom and out of the bottom. To put it in beanie terminology, think Rihanna not dockworker.
Never double up.
It may sound silly, but one common condom mistake comes from people trying to be extra careful. While the intention may be noble, putting on two (or more) rubbers at once is likely to cause a tear in the condoms. Leave the double bagging to grocery clerks.
Condoms are single use only.
Once you come once, you’re done. If a man waits around for his dick to get soft, the condom is no longer doing its job. Better to pull out and grab a new condom for the next go 'round.
Condoms are not reversible.
This one is most common after a night of heavy drinking. If you try to unroll a condom and it isn’t going on, it's probably backwards. If you’ve tried and failed to get the condom on to no avail, it’s best to start again with a new one that hasn’t already touched your junk.
Use condoms for butt stuff.
Anal sex can be awesome if you're into it, but remember that butts aren't particularly clean to begin with and the spread of STIs is easier during anal. Because of this, condoms are an important way to protect yourself from germs and diseases. Also, anal doesn't mean that some particularly persistent sperm can't find its way into a vagina.
Do not snort condoms.
Last year a YouTube trend started circulating that featured people attempting to snort condoms up their noses. Called the “Condom Challenge,” participants would suck a condom through one nostril and pull it out of their mouth. While this may sounds like a super fun and totally normal thing to do on a weekday evening, we urge you not to jump on the bandwagon. Condoms are for penises, not nostrils. Stick to saltines and cinnamon.
Some condoms do not prevent STIs.
While latex and polyurethane both protect against STIs, lambskin condoms do not. While some people prefer them because they feel more ‘real’ than other materials, they shouldn’t be used unless both you and your partner have been tested.
Lube it right.
Using lube can make sex more pleasurable, but if you plan on using it with a condom, make sure that it’s water-based—think Astroglide or K-Y. Silicone and oil-based lubricants, like Vaseline, hand lotion, or cooking oil (seriously, people do this) are a no-go. It weakens the latex and leads to broken condoms.
Birth control and condoms aren't mutually exclusive.
The fact is, while hormonal birth control is extremely effective, it’s not 100%—and neither are condoms. There’s no harm in using a condom even if your partner is on the pill. What’s more, birth control doesn’t protect against STIs, so if you or your partner haven’t been tested, it’s best to err on the side of caution and wrap it up.
Don't keep it in your wallet.
A wallet may be the classic place to keep a condom, but it can quickly make it ineffective. The friction your butt creates can cause holes to form in the latex and the heat from your body can degrade the condom as well. Advice: Throw it in you bag or jacket pocket and store them in a cool, dry place in the meantime.
Latex Allergy? There's a condom for that.
Affecting less than 1% of the population, latex allergies aren’t particularly common, but they do occur. In fact, the New York State Department of Health reports that 1,700 cases of latex allergies have been reported to the FDA since 1988. An allergy to latex isn’t a reason not to use condoms, however. In recent years there are numerous brands, such as Lifestyles Skyn, that make non-latex condoms that are just as affective as their counterparts.
Different strokes for different folks.
Find a condom that’s right for you and your partner. If you think condoms are uncomfortable, or even boring, chances are you haven’t found the right one yet. From Fire & Ice to Her Pleasure, there are different condoms for different occasions. Also, find the right fit: condoms come in different sizes. One thing to note: If your man busts out a Magnum, it’s likely that it’s only his ego that’s big—they’re only about .32 inches longer than a regular condom.
Don't leave it in the box.
This should go without saying, but unfortunately, it doesn't. If you aren't using condoms, you're doing it wrong.