How to Put on a Condom? (IMAGE GUIDE)

Alright, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to talk about good old fashioned sex, or more specifically, safe sex. I know that you must be thinking that this topic has been beaten to death, and you are right. However, the fact remains that unintended pregnancies account for nearly half of the pregnancies in the U.S. and STD’s such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, are steadily increasing in reported new cases every year. These two depressing facts lead me to believe that maybe people are not using condoms, or not using them correctly.

So, to help do my part in trying to prevent these statistics from increasing any further, we are going to talk about the wonderful love glove, aka, the condom. However, we are going to do more than simply give you a step-by-step instruction on how to use one, I am also going to go over the history of this ancient contraceptive, as well as covering some other topics along the way.

Alright, it is now time to discuss what you all have come here for, how to correctly use a condom. However, since female condoms are becoming so popular, we are also going to discuss how to properly use both male and female contraceptives. Let’s start in the men's department.

The method in which you put your condom on will have a huge impact on its effectiveness. If it isn’t done properly, then the chances of transmitting and STD or unintended pregnancy increase. To help make the process simple, follow this step-by-step guide.

• Inspect the condom wrapper before you tear it open. Look for tears, rips, or punctures in the wrapper. If you do happen to find a tear, rip, or puncture, toss it in the trash and use a different condom. And, by the way, guys, that condom you have had in your wallet for the past year, toss it. When exposed to sunlight or heat, a condom will lose some of its durability and elasticity. Always store your condoms in an area away from direct sunlight where it is dry and cool.
• If the wrapper looks alright, check the expiration date. If it is expired, toss it and get a new one.
• After checking that the expiration date good, tear the wrapper open at the edge, never cut it open, and inspect the condom itself. If it is brittle, sticky, or shows discoloration, toss it. You will have to get another one if you want to play safely.
• Determine how the condom is rolled up. To do this, fill the edge of the condom. If you have the condom upside-down, the edge will be smooth. If you have it right-side-up, you should feel a lip.
• Make sure the reservoir tip is pointing in the right direction.

• Placing a small amount of water-based lubricant inside the reservoir, just make sure not to use too much. This will make the condom easier to put on. And by the way, never use oil-based lubricants since they can weaken the latex and could result in a tear.
• Once the penis is erect, you can apply the condom. Applying it before it is fully erect could result in the condom tearing or fall off during sexual intercourse.
• Pinch the tip of the condom shut so no air pockets can get trapped inside. This also ensures that your ejaculate has a place to go. Now, place the condom on the tip of the penis. If it turns out you placed the condom on upside down, toss it and get a new one.
• Roll the condom down the length of the shaft, removing any pubic hair that might be in the way. As you unroll the condom, smooth out any air pockets you see.
• Once the condom is on the entire shaft, you can apply a water-based lubricant. If you do, place some on the condom and your partner as well, just don’t use too much as it can reduce the friction needed for stimulation. Additionally, it can cause the condom to fall off.
• Check for breaks or tears periodically. If a tear is noticed, immediately replace it. You and your partner may want to consider using the morning-after pill if this should happen as a safety precaution.
• As soon as ejaculation occurs, quickly remove the condom. Grab the bottom of the condom and pull out to ensure the condom does not fall off.
• Once the condom is off, wrap it in toilet paper and toss it in the trash.

There you have it, the proper way to apply, use, and dispose of your condoms. Now, let’s go over the female condom.

Female condom

You will find much of the process is similar to the male condom with a few differences.

• Inspect the condom wrapper before you tear it open. Look for tears, rips, or punctures in the wrapper. If you do happen to find a tear, rip, or puncture, toss it in the trash and use a different condom.
• If the wrapper looks alright, check the expiration date. If it is expired, toss it and get a new one.
• Before having vaginal or anal sex, insert the condom. The female condom has flexible rings at both ends that are designed to collect semen and pre-cum. Get into a comfortable position, squeeze the ring located at the closed end of the condom and insert it into the vagina or anus. Use your index finger, be careful if you have long fingernails, to gently push it in, ensuring it is not twisted and that at least 1-inch of the open end of the condom is still outside of the vagina or anus. Once you feel resistance, stop.
• Apply a water-based lubricant to the penis to help reduce friction. Too much friction can increase the chances of the condom tearing.

• Once the lubricant is applied, guide the penis, or sex toy, into the condom.
• If you feel something is not right, stop and check the condom. Do this if you think the penis entered alongside the condom but not in it, the outer ring enters the vagina or anus, or the condom slips. In this event, you and your partner may want to consider using the morning-after pill if this should happen as a safety precaution.
• Once finished, slowly remove the condom by squeezing the outer ring closed and gently pulling the condom out. Trying to pull it out too fast could result in a tear.
• Once the condom is out, wrap it in toilet paper and toss it in the trash.

Additional Tips

Here are some additional tips to keep in mind before your next romp in the bedroom takes place.

• For men, change condoms before switching the type of sex you and your partner are having. For example, anal-vaginal sex.
• For men and women, never use a male and a female condom at the same time. It will not improve the amount of protection and can cause one of the condoms to tear, perhaps even both of them.
• For women, if you are planning on anal sex, it is easier to insert the condom into your anus by first removing the flexible ring on the closed end, placing your condom onto your partner's penis, or sex toy (vibrator, penis ring), and let them insert it in that manner.

History

The condom, jimmy, love glove, wetsuit, nightcap, or whatever name you want to use to refer to them, actually has a fairly extensive history. The first recorded documentation reveals that in around 3000 B.C., King Minos of Crete ruled Knossos. Supposedly his mistresses would die after intercourse with Minos. So, in order to protect his wife, other mistresses, and himself, King Minoss’ subject, Prokris, recommended that the king uses a goat's bladder as a form of protection. While this might be the first “documented” record of a condom-like contraceptive, no one is clear if the bladder was inserted into the woman’s vagina or King Minos wore the bladder as a sleeve.

Ancient Egyptians civilizations were one of the first to use a condom-like sheath during intercourse around 1000 C.E. It was also used for another purpose besides sexual intercourse. In addition to preventing the spread of tropical diseases, various colored sheaths were worn by the men to identify their place in the Egyptian hierarchy.

Other early civilizations that have been known to use a contraceptive that works in the same manner as the modern-day condom are the Romans, Chinese, Japanese,and the Djukas tribe of New Guinea. While the materials used and how they were produced might have been different, the overall principle and use were the same.

The Name

How the condom received its name may sound like a joke, but it is not. During the Renaissance Period, many advancements were made on the earlier Greek and Roman foundations. King Charles I had condoms made from fish and animal intestines issued to his Soldiers during the English Civil War to stop the spread of syphilis that was being spread by the regular use of prostitutes. King Charles II had been issued cattle, sheep, and fish intestines to stop the spread of illegitimate children that were being said to have belonged to him. Now, here comes the funny part. The doctor's name was Colonel Condom. If you are thinking the name for the contraceptive sleeve has something to do with King Charles II doctor, you might be right. The origin of the name “condom” is still debated as the Persian word “kemdu” refers to a piece of intestine that is used for storage, and the Latin word “condus” means vessel or receptacle.

The Modern Condom

The condom we are familiar with today was brought to us by the American inventor, Charles Goodyear. During the Industrial Revolution, Goodyear invented the process of rubber vulcanization, mixing heated natural rubber and sulfur together. This created a durable and pliable material that had a high tensile strength and elasticity. This version of condoms was designed to be reused and was made to specific sizes. By 1860, rubbers were being manufactured in large numbers. While intestine and bladder condoms were more comfortable, the cheaper and durable rubber condoms essentially ended the intestinal condom.

The first time a modern military force was issued condoms, was during World War I. The German army would be issued condoms with their ammunition and weapons. The British and American military forces would not see such issuance until World War II.

The advent of latex further improved upon the condom, resulting in the condom design we are familiar with today. The new latex condoms can be manufactured at a rate of 3,000 units per hour, spermicide include, and we now even have flavored condoms.

Strange But True

Now that we have covered the evolution and history of the condom, let’s take a look at some strange facts that many people don’t know.

• Before the 1400’s, Asian aristocrats used glans condoms. Glans condoms only covered the head of the man's penis and were usually made of turtle shells and animal horns. That is a big OUCH for all parties concerned.
• Goodyear’s rubber condom had the thickness of a bike innertube. If a man’s penis is often compared to the girth of a pencil, then that would have been alright. However, OUCH!
• Condoms did not become legal in the United States until the early 1900’s.
• Condoms used to be manufactured with Queen Victoria’s face on them.

Facts

There are a lot of assumptions and rumors floating around about the use of condoms. Some may make sense so it is highly believable. While others are so far fetched, they can be comical. Here are some of these excuses about why some people don't use condoms, as well as some popular rumors.

Myth: Condoms are not that effective against STD’s such as HIV.

Truth: Using a condom alone is 82 percent effective and 10,000 times safer than not using one at all.

Myth: I do not talk to my children about how to use contraceptives because they will learn it at school or through their friends.

Truth: First of all, if you are planning on letting an individual that is the same age as your child, teach your child about condoms, you are an idiot. As for schools, on 39 percent of schools have an education system in place to cover the topic of using a condom correctly.

Myth: I do not use condoms because sex does not feel as good.

Truth: People that use condoms regularly report having a pleasurable experience with condoms as they do without.

Myth: All teens know to use a condom when they first start having sex.

Truth: While most teens do use a condom during their first experience, there are still many that do not.

Myth: If you have a latex allergy you cannot use condoms.

Truth: There are plenty of latex-free condoms available that are made from polyisoprene and polyurethane.

Myth: Young adults and teens cannot afford to buy birth control.

Truth: Condoms are the most inexpensive and easily accessible birth control methods available. The average cost of a condom is about 4 cents.

Myth: No one uses a condom anymore.

Truth: One in every four sexual interactions is condom protected. That ratio could be higher, but it demonstrates that there are plenty of individuals still using this form of contraceptive.

That completes our instructions on how to properly use a condom.

We hope you found this entire piece enlightening and useful, and the next time you are planning an evening of adult fun, you keep this information in your thoughts.