A Good Wrap: Why Condoms Are King When It Comes to Sexual Protection
By Katie Kretschmer, Graduate, Columbia University
Most people associate February with Valentine’s Day, a holiday all about hearts, flowers, and romance. But it’s perhaps not coincidental that it’s also National Condom Month. What better time to bone up (pun intended) on the ins and outs and the facts and fictions about condoms?
Take, for example, Annie, a student at William Jewell College in Liberty, Missouri. The first time Annie hooked up with her boyfriend, he told her regular condoms didn’t fit him, so they went without.
What Annie didn’t know was that the average condom can be stretched to hold a whole forearm or four quarts of water—surely large enough for her boyfriend.
The good news is that of 356 respondents to a recent Student Health 101 survey, just over 85% used condoms regularly, and 72% felt confident that they knew how to use them correctly.
False Notions About Protection
The bad news is, according to the same survey, nearly a third of college students believe the withdrawal method is also a reliable form of birth control. Not only is withdrawal not reliable because pre-ejaculate may contain sperm, but also the male may not have the self-control to withdraw, and in addition this method does not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Many students believe that if a girl is on “the pill,” or hormonal birth control, they don’t need to use condoms. “My girlfriend and I never used condoms when we got together,” says Mike, a student at the University of Kansas in Lawrence. “She was on the pill, so why bother? But my mom asked about it, and then she told me to never take that risk again. And I haven’t.”
Protection against STIs is one of the key reasons why condoms are one of the best forms of birth control. Used correctly and consistently, condoms rarely fail: Only 2% of condoms break, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Protection. Plus, no other form of birth control, other than abstinence, protects against infections such as herpes, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, human papillomavirus (HPV), pelvic inflammatory disease (PID), syphilis, and HIV, to name a few.
Many Bonuses of Bagging It
In fact, condoms have a lot going for them: They are inexpensive (about $1 each and often available from reliable sources for free), highly effective, hormone-free, and available without a prescription. And did we mention they are the only form of birth control that, used correctly and consistently, can prevent STIs as well as pregnancy?
One of the most common complaints is that they reduce sensation and make intercourse less pleasurable. While that may have been true a few decades ago, today’s latex condoms are extremely thin, and they are available in a variety of contours and textures. Many guys find that condoms help deter premature ejaculation or can help them stay erect longer—both good arguments in favor of the condom as a sex aid.
How to Choose
Students may know that they need to use condoms, but one look at the rack in the pharmacy leaves them feeling overwhelmed. Others feel shy about asking for them. You may want to check if your college health center offers free condoms.
There are many different brands and types available. If you haven’t bought condoms before, stick to lubricated latex condoms, but don’t be afraid to try different sizes, styles, and brands to find out what works best for you and your partner. If you find a brand or type you like, you’ll be more likely to use it every time you have sex. If you have an allergy to latex, non-latex options are available, but be aware that natural condoms made of lamb intestine, while effective as birth control, do not protect against STIs.
Check out polyurethane condoms, which are thinner than latex condoms, but can be slightly less flexible and require more lubrication. They are also more expensive. Spermicidal condoms can also be irritating to some people; if you feel swollen or itchy, try regular condoms before trying plastic.
The most important thing to remember about using latex condoms is that oil-based lubricants will cause latex to break down. Use only water-based lubricants such as K-Y jelly. Here is a list of use/don’t use lubricants from Planned Parenthood:
Safe with all condoms
Aqua Lube
Astroglide
Corn Huskers Lotion
deLUBE
ForPlay
Glycerin
Gynol II
H-R lubricating jelly
K-Y lubricating jelly
PrePair
Unsafe with latex condoms
Aldara Cream
Baby oil
Bag Balm
Butter
Cold cream
Head and body lotions
Massage oils
Mineral oil
Petroleum jelly
Rubbing alcohol
Shortening
Speak Up About Condom Use
The first time Amelia, a student at Park University in Parkville, Missouri, hooked up with her friend, she said he assumed they would go without a condom and attempted to have sex without one.
“I was like, ‘Whoa, you better put a condom on!’” she says. “And he said that he didn’t have any.”
But when Amelia reached into her bag and pulled a condom out of her wallet, “he looked at me like I had pulled out a gun,” she says. “Then he said it’s slutty for girls to carry condoms.”
Amelia said she feels angry that young men are encouraged to carry condoms, but young women face a double standard.
That said, many sexually active students, both male and female, feel uncomfortable bringing up condoms with their partner. But it’s important to bring up your expectations before the encounter begins—even before the foreplay.
If you’re nervous, practice some comebacks to the most common complaints.
Complaint: “It’s uncomfortable.
Response: “Wearing a condom can take some getting used to. Let’s try a different brand.”
Complaint: “It’s not as intimate.”
Response: “I won’t feel as close to you if I’m worried about my health or pregnancy.”
Complaint: “Don’t you trust me?”
Response: “Either one of us could have an infection and not know it yet. Let’s play it safe.”
Complaint: “I won’t enjoy it if we use a condom.”
Response: “I won’t enjoy it if we don’t.”
Complaint: “I don’t know how to put it on.”
Response: “Here, let me show you.”
If your partner complains about condom use or tries to pressure you into being unprotected, just walk away.
Used correctly and consistently, condoms are the most affordable, easiest way to prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of STIs.
KATIE KRETSCHMER IS A GRADUATE OF COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY AND A FREELANCE WRITER LIVING IN NEW YORK CITY.
Find Out More
Click to learn more about consistent and correct condom use from the CDC.
Click for more about safer sex practices (including condom use) from SmarterSex.org.
Click for more about GYT, and why you should before sexual activity with a new partner
Click for more about condoms (and their proper use) from Avert.org.
Click for more about condoms, and other birth control options, from HealthFinder.gov.
Did You Know? A German scientist recently invented a spray-on condom using liquid latex. The benefits: One size fits all. The drawbacks: It takes 20 seconds to dry before use.
Did You Know? As early as 1000 BC, the ancient Egyptians used condoms made of linen to protect against diseases: not comfy.
Did You Know? The Danish word for contraceptive is svangerskabsforebyggendemiddel. So be glad that all you have to say is, “A box of condoms, please.”
Did You Know? Casanova called a condom an English Riding Coat. Here are more nicknames for condoms:
The Many Names for the Common Condom
Although cave paintings in France show that early Europeans were using condoms in 200 AD, we can thank Charles Goodyear (of tire fame) for vulcanizing rubber and the development of the modern condom in the 1850s. In 1861, the first advertisement for condoms, or “Doctor Powell’s French Preventives,” appeared in a New York newspaper. The renowned Casanova called them “English Riding Coats.” Most people call them “rubbers,” but some other, um, unusual names for the condom include:
• French Letter
• Johnny
• Raincoat
• Happy Hat
• Love Glove
• Sock
• Hazmat Suit
• Goalie
• Snake Charmer
• Willie Warmer
6 Tips on Proper Condom Use
• Be Prepared. Carry a condom with you—but remember that condoms only last in your wallet for about a month before you need to throw it out.
• Fresh is good. Check the packaging for an expiration date: Old condoms can break more easily.
• Keep them safe. Don’t store in direct sunlight or in very hot or very cold places. Room temperature, dark places are the best.
• Wear it right. Pinch the tip and roll the condom down toward the base of the penis. When the encounter is over, hold on to the condom around the base of the penis while pulling out, and then carefully pull it off.
• Don’t flush! Used condoms can clog plumbing. Instead, wrap them in toilet paper and throw in the trash.
Good to know: Condoms can also be used as dental dams. Using scissors, cut off the tip of the unrolled condom, and then slit up the side. This modified condom can also be used during oral sex on a female to protect both partners from many types of STIs. Place over the vulva area to protect both partners during oral sex on a female.
Condoms are probably the least expensive form of birth control, but even if you are super strapped for cash, they are often available for free. Try your student health center, the health department or local clinics such as Planned Parenthood. Try doing a Google search for “free condoms + (your city)” to find a list of places that will give you condoms for free.
What to Do If a Condom Breaks
If your condom does break, don’t panic. Women can choose to take an emergency contraceptive pill (the “morning after” pill) up to 72 hours after the accident. Your doctor can also prescribe a month-long regimen of HIV/AIDS prevention medication, to help reduce your chance of infection.
