Welcome to shopinprivate’s condom
information page. We have compiled and summarized information
from a number of sources to make this page. We hope the information
is useful. Sources include:
- Consumer Reports Article: How reliable are
condoms?, May, 1995. It was one of the only objective tests on the
major brands of condoms.
- Trojan® Condoms consumer
information
- LifeStyles condoms consumer
information
- Information from the National Institute of
Health (a division of the US Government)
- Information from the Centers for Disease
Control (another US Government agency)
- Planned Parenthood.
- Of course we have thrown in our own
two-cents as young(er) consumers that are condom users we felt
that some of the information available is a little to "corporate"
and needed some personality.
We feel that these are reliable sources for
your information. We hope that the summary is useful.
Condom Information Page
(Index)
(Click on these items to go right to that
section)
How
to use a condom
Before Sex
- Use a new condom every time you have sex.
These guys are not reusable. (There is a joke about that… It
goes. How do you reuse a condom? A: Turn it inside out and wash
the F**K out of it). Funny? Not really and it isn’t true
either. Use a new condom every time.
- Put the condom on the penis as soon as the
penis gets hard. Do this before foreplay, before the penis gets
anywhere near any body opening (this is to avoid exposure to ANY
body fluid that can carry infection).
- Putting the condom on can be difficult.
First gently open the package. Don’t tear the condom in half
in your haste. If you have properly completed step 2, you should
be pretty excited, but remember if you ruin that condom, things
could start to shrivel up on you. After you have the condom open
figure out which way it needs to face to be put on properly. The
rolled-up ring has to go on the outside so that you can roll it
down your penis.
- Squeeze the tip gently so that you
don’t trap any air inside it, and so that you leave room for
the semen after you come. Hold the tip while you unroll the
condom. Unroll it all the way down to the hair. For you Italian
guys (like your author) going down to the hair first hair
isn’t going to cut it. Roll it down to near the base of your
penis. Don’t roll it down far enough to stuff your balls into
it, just far enough down so that you will be able to handle it
properly after orgasm (see next step).
After Sex
- While your penis is still hard, right after
you come, hold the condom in place (this is possible because you
have rolled the condom far enough down your penis) with your
fingers and pull out slowly. This will avoid spilling any
semen.
- Turn and move completely away. This is a
good time to say, "Time to powder my nose" or something to that
effect.
- Dispose of the condom properly.
Unfortunately, they are not flushable. This means you have to
throw it away. To prevent an incredible sticky mess, you may want
to wrap it in some tissues or toilet paper or
something.
- Wash yourself up. Washing with soap and
water can help prevent the spread of disease.
- Afterplay is an important part of a healthy
relationship. Separating yourself from your partner with
a thin layer of latex should not mean that you have no attachment. Try
to minimize the disruption in your relationship that condoms
cause. Doing so can help you maintain a healthy attitude toward
their use and can help build a healthy relationship.
Condoms
Effectiveness
Birth Control
As a contraceptive, condoms are cheap and easy
to obtain, but they are not perfect. The condom's reliability in
preventing pregnancies depends on how it's measured. Researchers
don't count the number of individual condoms that fail. They define
contraceptive failure as the percentage of women who use a given
method but who nonetheless become pregnant over a year's
time.
For regular condoms, the typical failure rate
is about 12% (the rate for the Reality female condom is 21%),
somewhat worse than birth control pills (8%), but better than the
diaphragm (18%), withdrawal (19%) and rhythm (20%). [Source:
"Contraceptive Technology," Irvington Press, and Family Planning
Perspectives journal.] Researchers know that, as with other
methods, the failure figures include many couples who don't use
contraception every time. If couples used condoms consistently and
correctly, researchers estimate, the condom's failure rate would be
only 2% or 3%, maybe even less (the Reality female condom is
predicted to be 5%).
Disease Prevention
Sexually transmitted diseases are virtually
100% preventable with proper condom use. So well do latex condoms
block germs that, since 1987, the FDA has allowed condom boxes to
list all the diseases condoms help avert. More recently, the FDA told
companies that the message was so crucial, they should also print it
on the wrappers of individual condoms. Condom boxes warn that the
product is intended for vaginal sex, but health officials say it's
crucial to use condoms in anal and oral sex, too.
In a European study less than 2% of partners of
people that had AIDS contracted the disease when the couple used
condoms regularly and correctly. This study and a similar study done
in Italy show that condoms are extremely effective in preventing the
spread of disease, but only if the latex condoms are used
effectively.
Condom
Quality
Ways to measure condom quality:
There are a number of ways to measure condom
quality including condom strength, elasticity (how much it stretches
before it breaks), thickness, and effectiveness (in birth control and
in preventing the spread of disease). They even use electrical
impulse test to check for leaks. Each of these methods has their pros
and cons. Without overstepping our breadth of knowledge we will
describe each briefly and then give tips on how to make your condom
use the most effective.
Condom Strength:
The strength of condoms can be measured in a
couple of ways. One way that they are measured is burst pressure. The
condoms are blown up like balloons and the pressure required to burst
them is recorded. Higher burst pressures can indicate a stronger
condom.
Elasticity
Elasticity is the ability of the condom to
stretch like a rubber band. Latex is highly elastic material. Other
plastic materials can be stronger, but may not stretch as far before
they break. Comparing latex to other plastics is similar to comparing
a rubber band to a rope. A rope may be stronger than a rubber band.
You make have to pull harder on a rope to break it, but you will have
to pull a rubber band farther. Which is more important, strength or
elasticity. We don’t know. At this point further information is
required. For now we will continue to recommend latex
condoms.
Thickness
Thinner condoms, such as some condoms that
claim improved sensitivity, generally score worse in strength tests
than normal condoms. This is generally related to their decreased
thickness. A thinner condom is generally weaker.
Some new condoms made from plastics other than
latex promise improve strength and improved sensitivity. When we
receive some reliable information about non-latex condoms we will
post it here. At this time only manufacturers information is
available. We will choose to wait for a third party
opinion.
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) requires
production testing of condoms. One way that condoms are tested is by
using electrical impulse. Electronics are use to measure the
thickness of the latex all over the condoms. Any thin spots are shown
through the condom because it has less electrical insulation. (note:
even though condoms are electrically insulating, this does not allow
you to put your Mr. Happy in an electrical socket). It is interesting
to note that the FDA, which regulates condoms as medical devices,
regularly rejects entire manufacturing lots of condoms because they
do not pass this test. In 1993 the FDA rejected 2 of the 44 lots of
domestic condoms it checked for leakage. Novelty condoms, which are
not regulated, are not tested. Later in this page you will hear my
opinions on novelty condoms.
Condom Age
Some condoms may have problems. It is not
unheard of for condoms to be defective or to age poorly. One thing to
look for is condom that is slightly hard, does not roll smoothly, or
may be brittle. If you come across a condom like this, throw it out
and use a new one. Speaking from personal experience, don’t EVER
have only one condom available because if that one condom is one of
those brittle, hardened ones you are out of luck. Having a back up
available is a good idea. To help prevent this, keep condoms in a
cool place. Excess heat isn’t good for them. Also look at the
expiration date on your condom packages. These things don’t last
forever.
How
to buy and use condoms most effectively:
- Stick with a good brand.
- Select the type of condom you want
(lubricated, spermicide, ribbed, etc.). More on this in our
section on buying condoms.
- Stay away from novelty condoms as a birth
control or disease prevention device
- Follow the usage instructions properly and
consistently.
- Don’t rely on your partner to provide
them.
- Keep them in a cool place (not your
wallet).
When
to use a condom
Yep, use a condom for regular sex. It is good
for both birth and disease control. Please be sure to use them
properly, though. Misused condoms are not very effective.
Condoms are a great method of disease control.
This applies to oral sex. Although the chances of catching some
diseases is decreased with oral sex, there are still plenty of
sexually transmitted diseases going around and many of them can be
transmitted through oral sex. You would be wise to consider condoms
for oral sex. You would not be wise to consider lubricated condoms
for this purpose (yuck!).
Anal sex is a highly risky practice. There is a
higher risk of transfer of bodily fluids (especially blood) during
anal sex. Condoms should be used for anal sex to prevent disease
transfer. Anal sex should also include a condom safe lubricant.
Petroleum jelly, baby oil, and many other products are NOT condom
safe. More on this in our lubricant or non-lubricated
category.
Condom
Etiquette
- Who is supposed to supply the
condoms?
You are supposed to buy condoms. Regardless of
whether you are male or female, straight or gay, you are supposed to
supply the condoms. Don’t be an idiot or a wuss.
It is polite to make sure that you pull out
properly. Make sure that you put your finger on the rolled up lip of
the condom when you pull out. This will prevent spillage of
semen.
Unfortunately you cannot flush condoms. You
have to toss them in the garbage. Wrapping them in tissues and
putting them into the kitchen trash is a good idea, because that
trash probably gets emptied most often. Putting the condom near the
bottom of the trash can prevent embarrassment later.
If a condom breaks, both partners should wash
themselves with soap and water. Urinating is said to help avoid
infections. It certainly couldn’t hurt. In fact, you may have
peed your pants already. If the breakage is discovered after
ejaculation, having a separate spermicide handy to apply quickly may
help. A doctor can prescribe an intense dose of birth-control pills
or a "morning after pill", which will block most pregnancies if used
within 72 hours of intercourse. Prayer can’t hurt, but if
you’re catholic (like your author) it may fall on deaf
ears.
How
to tips for the guys
- How to get that bad boy on
their as fast as possible.
- Don’t rip the condom pack down the
center. This can cause the condom to fall out.
- Rip the pack near the edge, this prevents
you from chasing the condom across the room and keeps you from
tearing the condom.
- Figure out which way the condom unrolls by
unrolling it about 1/4 inch.
- Squeeze the tip with one hand and roll it
on with the other. This is definitely a two handed
job.
- How to take it off without the
painful pubic hair experience
- Some guys out there know exactly what I am
talking about here. Rolling the condom off of your penis can roll
up some stray pubic hairs. As you continue to unroll, the poor
pubic hair gets plucked. OUCH! This can be very painful. To
prevent this, try to pull the condom off like a glove. If you have
a sink, splash some cold(er) water on your penis to encourage
shrinkage. Slide it off.
How
and what condoms to buy
- Lubricated or
non-lubricated
Lubricated vs. non-lubricated condoms can be a
personal choice. For vaginal sex, sometimes lubrication is provided
the natural way. Sometimes added lubrication is not unwelcomed. For
oral sex, non-lubricated should be chosen to prevent an awful taste
in the mouth. For anal sex, you will probably need all the lubricant
you can get.
- Spermicide or
non-spermicide
Spermicide on condoms (usually nonoxynol-9) is
not provided in enough quantity to work on its own, however, it is
present in case of an accident. Apparently, it is present in case of
spillage. Although its effectiveness is unproven, it would be
difficult to image that it is less effective than no spermicide at
all.
Nonoxynol-9 has its drawbacks. It has it’s
own smell. It can cause allergic reactions in some people. It is
probably not for people engaging in oral or anal sex. However, if
added pregnancy protection is what you are looking for, nonoxynol-9
provides extra for no inconvenience.
- Reservoir tip, comfort fit, and the
female condom
Some condoms have slightly different shapes. A
reservoir tip is designed to hold semen after you orgasm. This is
supposed to prevent breakage that could be caused by bursting. By
giving the semen an expandable area in which to be deposited, the
reservoir tip is designed to prevent breakage.
A comfort fit provides a loose pocket for the
head of the penis. The shape of the condom is designed to provide
some movement between the head of the penis and the side of the
condom. This is supposed to provide more sensation for the
man.
The female condom takes this one step further.
The female condom is a sort of bag that is used to line the inside of
the vagina. This device does not move with the man’s penis. It
should provide the most sensation for the man. It can also be put in
place long before intercourse. The female condom can also provide an
added amount of spontaneity.
- Ribs, Bumps, French tickler, and other
things
Not all condoms are smooth. Some have added
features and textures. Ribbing is supposedly for the pleasure of the
female (sorry gents, the ribs are on the outside). Consumer Reports
published an article that measured the thickness of many condoms. The
ribbed condoms tended to be thicker. This could contribute to added
strength and less chance for breakage.
The French tickler is something I saw in a
truck stop vending machine once. I still don’t really know what
it was. I have doubts that it was French, but am reasonable sure that
it could be use to tickle something. I wouldn’t trust a condom I
bought through a truck stop vending machine, however.
On our condom jokes page there is an
interesting rant about ribbed, bumped, etc. condoms told from the
female perspective.
- Novelty condoms (mint, glow in the dark,
etc)
Novelty condoms are interesting to look at. I
wouldn’t be caught dead buying them, however. Any condom that
has "not for birth control or disease prevention" on the package
isn’t really a condom in my opinion. I don’t really know
what I’d use these for. I don’t especially like wearing a
condom. I sort of accept it as a responsibility and I feel better
about my lover and myself when we use one. I have no interest in
wearing a condom that instead of preventing pregnancy the spread of
disease, glows in the dark, or tastes like mint.
Am I supposed to wear one of these ON TOP of a
normal condom? Two condoms? Am I supposed to put my faith in a
company that makes glow in the dark condoms with a warning label on
them? If they aren’t doing the tests required by the FDA. I am
not interested in using their product. Some of them are kind of funny
though. I’m just not putting them on my penis.
Warnings.
Holy Cow. I’ve decided to copy any warning
I can find. This is probably good business sense. I apologize for the
legalese, but I’m sure you would do the same thing.
- This product contains the spermicide
nonozynol-9. A very small number of users are sensitive or
allergic to latex rubber, spermicide, or lubricants. If you or
your partner have had any reaction to latex rubber, spermicide, or
lubricants, do not use this product. If either partner has any
reaction to this product, stop use and see your
doctor.
- Never let a latex condom touch oil in any
form. No petroleum jelly, no baby oil, no mineral oil, no
vegetable oil, not even talcum powder. Oil rots
rubber.
- If you use condoms when you or your partner
is using vaginal products for medical treatment purposes, the
condoms may be weakened and their effectiveness may be
reduced.
- For additional lubrication, you may use
personal lubricants designed for use with condoms (like KY jelly,
KY +, or Astroglide) or other water based lubricants.
- Wash hands-as well as penis, vagina, and
surrounding areas, before and after sex. This cuts the chance of
infection.
- Keep unused condoms in their packs in a
cool, dry place (not in a wallet).
- If a new condom feels sticky or stiff or
looks damaged in any way, throw it out &emdash; use a fresh
one.
