How to put on a condom, effectiveness and myths busted
How to put on a condom and other myths busted (PinkNews)
Do you actually know how to put on a condom? Properly? And do you know what do you do if you are prepared, use protection but the condom breaks or falls off mid-sex?
Sexual health charity ambassador Ryan Lanji asked Dr Achyuta Nori to bust some myths around sexual health–including condoms, PrEP and PEP.
Watch the video below to find out more about how to properly put a condom on and what the risks are if you don’t use one.
This video is part of a series produced in collaboration with Naz, a charity that works with BAME and LGBT+ communities to increase awareness around sexual health. This series also explores what it’s like to try chemsex and the dangers.
How can a condom break?
There’s lots of reasons why a condom might break, says Dr Nori.
“It’s important to think about how not to make condoms break.
“People put them in their wallets and the problem with that is body heat can melt condoms, which are latex, so they need to be in a cool, dark place so that they don’t degenerate.
“It’s important they’re in date so you don’t have an ancient condom with you.
“How you open it is really important—don’t use your teeth because you could rip it.
“Also think about what you’re using for lubrication—don’t use oils because oils dissolve latex. Use water-based or silicon-based lubricants which are condom safe.”
What to do if a condom falls off
Dr Nori advises that you should never reuse condoms–even if one falls off mid-sex—and ensure you are holding the base when withdrawing.
“As soon as you realise a condom has broken, it’s important to put another one on,” he explained.
“Don’t pick up the one that’s fallen off—always use a fresh one.”
Not using a condom: What are the risks?
Ryan Lanji asked Dr Nori what he advises doing if you are in a situation where you are about to have sex with a man but realise you don’t have a condom.
He advised: “You need to really think about what you want to do, how you feel about having the sex without a condom. Talk first, see that you have all the information to make that decision.
“Think about things like sexually-transmitted infections, HIV, PrEP—whether you are taking it or your partner is taking it.
“It’s important that you do what is right for you. You don’t need to have penetrative sex, you can enjoy each other’s company sexually without anal or oral sex. You could use hands, communicate with each other and talk.”
You can get free condoms and PEP (Post-exposure prophylaxis) from your local sexual health service, he added.
In the UK, you can also speak to Naz, 56 Dean Street, Terrence Higgins Trust, LGBT Foundation in Manchester and London Friend.
Naz recently launched a campaign aimed at South Asian men who have sex with men called Sholay Love.
