How is Male Condoms Used ? and A Common Myth about the Effectiveness of Condoms

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How is Male Condoms Used?

Although condoms are a very effective form of contraceptive, if they are not used correctly they will not offer the individuals engaging in sexual activity any type of protection at all in preventing the occurrence of an untimely pregnancy. For this reason, it is important to become informed of the proper way to use a condom to benefit from the most effectiveness. Below are simple steps explaining the use of condoms.

·         If the condom is not lubricated, you may want to obtain a water-based lubricant before applying the condom.

·         There must be an erection before placing the condom over the penis.

·         With one hand hold the base of the penis and with the other hand hold the condom, carefully placing it over the penis head. Then simply roll the condom down the length of the penis, unrolling it as you go. Try to avoid letting air build under the condom as this is one reason that many condoms break.

·         If more lubrication is needed during sexual intercourse, it can be applied at any time.

·         After ejaculation, withdraw the penis immediately by grabbing the bottom portion of the condom and holding the penis as you withdraw.

A Common Myth about the Effectiveness of Condoms

When a majority of people hear that there is a 2% risk of unwanted pregnancies occurring with the use of a condom, the way this percentage is meant is many times completely misunderstood. This does not mean that there is a 2% chance of becoming pregnant when condoms are used during sexual intercourse. This rate simply means that over the course of an entire year with women who use condoms consistently, there ends up being a 2% risk of the occurrence of a pregnancy. This does not mean each time a person engages in sexual intercourse, the 2% factor means over the course of an entire year’s period. So, in actuality the chances of a woman becoming pregnant while she engages in sexual intercourse with a partner or her spouse, there is actually an even lower risk of pregnancy than 2%. When looking at the risk of pregnancies when it concerns various types of birth control methods, it is important to understand that these percentages are based on pregnancies that occur in 100 women in a year’s time. There are actually very few people that has a full and correct understanding on how these numbers are calculated.