KissMeGoodnight eLearning Series:
Your Sexual Health

Guys: Reasons For Using a Condom During Sex

There are still people in the world that believe that AIDS has changed from being a “gay men’s disease” to affecting a different parts of the world. The truth of the matter is that AIDS does not care what part of the world you live in or what your sexual preference is – there is no known cure and if you engage in unsafe sexual behavior, it will kill you.

To many of today’s generation the messages that were broadcast during the 1990s about safe sex behavior have fallen by the wayside. Due to this problem, there are many organizations that have developed to going around teaching young people about the benefits of using condoms. These groups teach every aspect of condom use from putting it on to taking off and everything in between.

The purpose of a condom is to contain the semen and stop it from entering the vagina. The best way to learn how to put a condom on is to practice the proper methods before having sex. It is important that you know how to put on a condom and not depend on your partner to know how. Every condom you purchase comes with an expiration date – look at it. If the condom has expired, do not take a chance on using it. The materials may be brittle and the condom could break.

You place the condom on the penis the moment it is hard. There should be at least half-an inch to an inch left at the top of the penis so that it can collect the semen. If you think for one minute that the tighter you have that condom on the safer you will be you are mistaken. The closer the end of the condom is to the head of the penis the more like it will burst open when ejaculation occurs.

As you are enjoying foreplay, remember that oil-based lubricants will destroy the condom. Lubricants such as KY Jelly are appropriate for use with condoms. Be careful not to allow the penis to enter the vagina before the condom is on.

After sex, you should gently pull the penis out of the vagina and remove the condom. If you wait for the penis to soften the condom could fall off and semen will spill out. Please remember that if you think you can re-use a condom – you cannot. It is not safe to re-use a condom. Condoms are also not flushable.

If the condom broke during intercourse, there is no need to panic. Contact your health care provider and they can recommend emergency contraception but that has to be done within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. A condom is more effective if always used with a spermicide.

Reason for using a condom:

• They are easy to use and purchase.
• Very effective, no prescription is needed.
• The cost of a condom is inexpensive
• Helps prevent sexually transmitted diseases
• Condoms are not plain and you have a variety to choose from

Reasons for not using a condom:

• Condoms do interrupt sex, but they can become part of foreplay. Be creative.
• Some guys cannot keep an erection with a condom on - they say the condom compromises sensitivity. (There are condoms that are thinner than others, try those).
• The man must pull out immediately after ejaculation.

Condoms must never be reused!

Condoms should never be kept in a wallet, in your pocket, or in a hot car's glove compartment. This can destroy the latex. Never use condoms made from animal products - they do NOT protect you from STDs.

The effectiveness of condoms - condoms are always more effective if used with a spermicide

The side effects of using condoms - some people are sensitive to latex, and may even get a rash from them.

The bottom line – it is very important to practice safe sex. The makers of condoms did not intend to interrupt your romantic interlude by putting on a condom. If you make the choice to not use a condom and you have unprotected sex, please remember that you are not only taking a risk with your life, but you are also risking the life of your partner and every partner that either of you sleep with. Is it worth to push the condom aside?

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KissMeGoodnight.com : 2006

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