Sexual Relationships 
Sexual Health 
Most people who expect to become sexually active, or who already are, will want to figure out a condom routine, so they always have some when they need them.
Condoms are fairly effective as birth control - about 85% in normal use, but they also help prevent the spread of disease very effectively. Both surface skin areas and wet areas can transmit and catch diseases, so wrapping that rascal helps prevent disease in several ways.
When I was first sexually active, our condoms were *horrible*. They were thick and ripped all the time. What we didn't know is that condoms must be used with lubricant, and many types of condoms used to be dry in the package.
Luckily condom technology has improved a lot in the past several years. They are usually packed with some lubricant, and they are thinner and more durable as researchers develop new materials. That said, you should plan to have additional lubricant because what comes on the condom is often insufficient.
Lubricant: Make sure that your lubricant is condom-safe. That means that it doesn't create drag or deteriorate the material of the condom. Things like natural oils (coconut, olive), hand lotions or cold creams, or anything with petroleum jelly (Vaseline) are BAD for condoms. Typically sexual lubricants will be either water-based or silicone-based and can usually be purchased where condoms are sold.
https://www.girlsaskguys.com/sexual-health/a48218-get-wet-the-ins-outs-of-good-sex-lube
Storage and Carrying: Condoms are not hard to store. If the temperature is comfortable for you to be in, your condom will be safe too. Extreme heat or cold are not good, so don't store in the glove compartment of the the car. Storing for long periods inside your wallet is also a bad idea. Be sure to mind the expiration dates on your condoms as well. You can put a couple in your pocket or handbag, but keep them safe from sharp things like keys and pens.
A case like this can be handy, and you can tuck-in single use lube packets:
These condoms come in a tube and you can use the top and bottom as a handy condom case: https://www.onecondoms.com/collections/condoms
Usage: It's important that you use the condoms right, every time, for maximum protection. This involves putting them on correctly, withdrawing before the penis gets soft again, and proper removal and disposal. Please read the following for how to use correctly: https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control/condom/how-to-put-a-condom-on
These condoms have a little handle to help you put them on: https://wingmancondoms.com/
Choosing the Best Condom: There's a lot of variety out there. The typical drug-store brands are all very high quality, so you should feel free to choose based on size and features. In some countries, several sizes are commonly sold. In other countries you get "regular" or "bigger than regular" unless you special order. I recommend https://www.condom-sizes.org/ to help you find the best fit. They even carry a brand that offers *60* different sizes. Some other condom options include non-latex, ribbed/textured, scented/flavored, but most people find the basic standard issue condom works well.
Buying condoms the first few times can be embarassing. You wonder if the clerk thinks you're too young or a sex fiend. Once you do it a few times though, your realize no one else cares. You can also buy them online through Amazon, and many drug-stores offer them through their websites. No one should go without condoms due to the expense though. Clinics, public health centers and outreach programs give away millions of free condoms every year. https://www.seventeen.com/love/dating-advice/a12026234/these-are-the-10-best-places-to-get-condoms-for-free/
Condom Philosophy: Based on my years as a sexual health educator, I have heard many stories. The common complaint is from men who don't care for how they feel. Choosing a better size can often make all the difference. So can putting a dab of lube into the tip of the condom. If young men learn to masturbate using condoms, they will be more likely to find using them for sex perfectly acceptable.
Make the condom discussion something you have before you hit the sheets, and talk about when your partner last had STD testing done. Ask to see results. In the US, free STD testing is widely available. The CDC website can help you locate testing in your area: https://gettested.cdc.gov/
Who Should Carry Condoms: Men, women, and gender non-conforming people should expect to carry their own condoms and lube to the party. It's not the man's job or the woman's job. It's YOUR job if you want to keep yourself safe. Having condoms doesn't mean you're a slut or a fuckboy. They mean you care about your health.
What Girls & Guys Said
10 17And also have Plan B pills. Just take as much safety measures as possible.
Well yes, of course, but I want to talk specifically about preventative measures, especially condoms because they provide protection for disease and pregnancy. Plan B is a great thing to know about. It's not fun to take, you have to take it right away, plus it can be like $40 cash and that can be a lot if you're young or have limited resources. there are some ways you can get it free though. Thank you for bringing it up. STD testing + Condoms + IUD/Hormonal Contraceptive + Pulling Out = Real great disease control and contraception plan. About as well as you can do if you're sexually active and plan to have children later.
I thought pulling out didn't really work.
By itself, it's frought with problems. Added to condoms, it's an EXCELLENT extra thing to do to make the condom even more effective. Use a condom AND pull out. Maybe maximum bummer for a dude though, so, respect.
The man you claimed lacked sexual knowledge about sex parts. Technically all I need to know to become a father is how to put my wiener inside her vagina but thanks. Yes, I'm wearing condoms about 70% of the time now. Way higher now.
@ConvertedCondom-User You're an idiot and a hypocrite, and a liar. Get right with God you fool.
How?
@ConvertedCondom-User -_- Seriously, you two bringing it up here?
You must have used a lots of them
Yes, in all the years I have been teaching young people how to use condoms I have gone through 1000s. I hope you're lucky enough to use a lot of them too.
no i am virgin, i lost my trust in people
How silly of you.
i am sorry if i offended you, but this is true
hooked up with a guy who didn't bring any condoms or lube with him, pretty ridiculous in my opinion I refused lool. I don't know whether I should carry them on behalf of guys because if it's someone you've never been with you don't know their size so it's a bit tricky
You can keep mostly regular ones and a couple of large ones, throw in a female condom, some packets of single size lube, put it in a small, zippered pouch together. You can even pop a tiny bullet vibrator in there if you like to have a little help sometimes.
never thought of the female condom, thanks!
nice take
https://i.imgur.com/PAm3hK0.jpg
infosexwork.be/.../artikel.php
www.livescience.com/...4-common-condom-errors.html
Thanks InfoBot or whomever you are. Good points all.
I don't wear condoms during sex because I'm too used to the bare skin on skin sensations. It feels far more intimate and cumfortable without having a barrier in the way!
How often are you STD tested? Do you get STD tested between each partner and stay monogamous until you break-up? Have you tried any of the newer, ultra-thin condom materials?
I have myself tested between each partner and also stay monogamous during relationships until we break up. Usually I wait until the end of the 3 month window period to be tested after a break-up and don't have sex during this time because your test results are more conclusive then.
Ok, but then what do you do about HPV, which can't be tested for in men?
There's nothing I can do to prevent HPV because condoms don't protect you either since it's a skin borne virus. That's the same with genital herpes as condoms don't protect men and women from it either! You can have a genital herpes blood test though.
Actually, condoms do a great deal to protect from both. It's only if lesions are on the flat part of the man's groin that the woman is more susceptible to infection. So, not they are not perfect, but incredibly effective. Luckily there are tests for herpes and it can be treated so that it is very low viral load and less likely to transmit.
Well you learn something new everyday! I only have sex if I'm in a serious relationship so don't have casual sex.