Condom reliability has been increasingly questioned in recent times. On TV and the Internet, this tool is actively advertised as a panacea for genital infections and unwanted pregnancies. In this case, when after protected sex both the one and the other happened, they occur regularly. In this article we will understand how reliable this tool is.
Popular remedy
About the reliability of condoms is known to everyone who has already begun sexually. But often a high percentage of security is nothing more than a myth. At the same time, it remains the most popular means of protection against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy.
Convenience and ease of use, as well as the absence of restrictions and contraindications, contribute to this in many ways. Condoms are used both for casual sexual relations and for long-term relationships with a partner. They provide self-confidence, protection against sudden infections. But in reality, the reliability of a condom is not as good as is commonly believed.
Condom history
It is believed that condoms have their history since the days of Ancient Egypt. Although many question the theory that at that time they were already used to protect against genital infections and unwanted pregnancies. Most experts believe that the purpose of condoms was different before our era, their use was of a ritual-religious nature.
The very first condom today is stored in the National Museum in Cairo, a leather bag that belonged to the Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun.
Documentary evidence of the use of these contraceptives has been preserved in ancient Rome. For example, on long trips, legionnaires were required to carry a condom with them. At that time, they were made from the insides of small livestock. In the Middle Ages, during the Inquisition, condoms in Europe almost ceased to be used, dark times came.
The popularity of this protective agent returned after Columbus discovered America, whence, as you know, not only slaves and gold, but also syphilis were brought to Europe. Over time, more and more modern materials were used for their production, supplied with natural impregnations and synthesized liquids.
Only in the 20th century did condoms begin to be made of rubber, and nowadays it has been replaced by polyurethane and latex. Today, a huge selection of condoms is available to modern people, which our ancestors could not even dream of. They differ in size, the presence of flavorings, smooth or embossed surfaces, thickness.
At the same time, many people still doubt the safety of condoms, find out how reliably they protect against unwanted pregnancy and intimate infections.
HIV Prevention
This question was especially acute after the spread of HIV in the world. Nowadays, public organizations and governments around the world are engaged in advocacy for protection against it, but the threat of the disease is not reduced. They are primarily infected by drug addicts and fans of casual and unprotected sexual relationships.
The fact is that the main source of infection with this incurable disease is the blood of the virus carrier. It should be noted that during sexual intercourse the risk of contracting HIV infection is low, and during sex in a condom it is reduced to almost zero.
So the proper use of condoms significantly reduces the risk of contracting a deadly ailment. But with respect to other genital infections, the question of the reliability of condoms is still debatable.
The largest studies are conducted in America. At present, it can be argued that no data on the 100% effectiveness of condoms exists. This is due to a number of reasons.
When does a condom fail?
Condoms provide reliable protection only if the condom is used correctly. In addition, it was found that with its help it is impossible to protect against such very common genital infections as genital herpes, syphilis, and some parasitic infections. Therefore, in this case, the person himself should be extremely careful. Any rashes on the partner's genitals may indicate that he is a carrier of infection, from which a condom may not protect you.
We can not talk about guaranteed reliability and condom protection against unwanted pregnancy.
Typically, this is due to errors in the use of the rubber products themselves. Most often, a condom is incorrectly put on, and because of this, you have to change it directly during sexual intercourse. In addition, the effectiveness of this contraceptive is significantly reduced if you start using it not at the beginning, but during sexual intercourse, remove the condom before ejaculation, do not have a spare on hand for different types of sexual contacts, use two condoms at once. Moreover, it can simply slip at the crucial moment.
Integrity violation
When using a condom for safety, a violation of its integrity is fatal. Often this happens when using unreliable products with an expired shelf life, using non-recommended and doubtful lubricants, mechanical damage to the condom.
In addition, studies have long confirmed the presence of microscopic holes in a condom through which bacteria and viruses can enter the partner's body. However, even with all these conditions, it is worth recognizing that the level of condom protection during sex remains one of the highest.
It can be concluded that this remedy is not a guaranteed protection against an unplanned pregnancy or infection, but when used correctly, the risks are reduced many times.
To avoid these troubles, it is necessary to follow some simple recommendations. Have sex only with trusted and reliable partners, avoid casual relationships, use condoms correctly, as well as with all types of sexual contacts, you should buy them only in pharmacies, be sure to check the expiration date.
Test of strength
There are a few tips that will give you confidence when using these remedies. How to check the condom for strength, we will describe in detail in this article.
First of all, you need to make sure that the expiration date has not expired (this information is on the packaging), use a new condom each time and store the products correctly. They must be kept in a dry and cool place, inaccessible to direct sunlight. It is not recommended to put condoms in your wallet; there they can easily tear and deform. They are also highly likely to be damaged if you keep them in the back pocket of your trousers or glove compartment of your car. There they face constant friction and exposure to heat, because of which their reliability is reduced.
Do it yourself
You can check the condom for strength yourself. To do this, first press the packaging lightly. At this point, you should feel a little air resistance. A sure sign that the package was not previously damaged or torn, and that the condom itself is suitable for use.
It is also worth putting pressure on the condom itself in the package, trying to roll it from side to side. Trying to move it with sliding movements, you should feel that it begins to move. This indicates that the grease is not dry, it is suitable for use. We emphasize that this method only works with condoms equipped with grease. A dried condom is likely to be less reliable. Because of it, the risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection or becoming pregnant can multiply increase.
Put on a condom
You can also check the condom when putting it on. At the same time, do not open the packaging itself using teeth or scissors. In this case, there is a chance to damage the condom. Moreover, even a tiny gap, which you can not pay attention to, will be fatal.
Before putting on a condom, be sure to touch it. If it is too hard, dry or sticky, then most likely it was stored incorrectly, which means that you do not need to use it. Girls should be careful before sex if they have jewelry. Piercings, rings, and even sharp nails can damage it. So if you wear these accessories, be extremely careful.
Instructions for use
To minimize the risks during sex, it is important to wear a condom correctly. To begin, squeeze its tip with your fingers to let out air. It may cause fluid leakage or cause a rupture during use. Squeezing the tip of the condom with your index finger and thumb, unfold the rest of the condom on the penis.
After you put the condom on, it’s worth checking how you did it. It is important that it is not too small or too large and does not twist in the opposite direction. To buy condoms of the right size, it is best to measure the penis during an erection and focus on this value.
Please note that there should be some space left at the tip of the condom to collect sperm. It should fit just at the tip that you clamped with your fingers during donning. If there is no free space, then such a condom can easily burst.
In addition, he should not sit on the penis too freely and move. If the condom is too large, it will not hold the body fluids well, endangering both partners. In the end, he can just fall off.
If you use lubricants during sex, it is advisable that they be water-based. If they are oily, this can affect the quality of the condom, contributing to its rupture. It is also not recommended to use massage lotion, baby oil, hand cream and petroleum jelly instead of a lubricant.
Useful Tips
Following simple tips, you can protect yourself and your partner from troubles. When buying, pay attention to the fact that the condoms are checked by electronics. This will already indicate their quality. For example, this confirms the reliability of Durex condoms by their manufacturer.
It is not recommended to fill condoms with water or air, this can lead to their deformation and even rupture. It makes no sense to check them for holes, as all products are thoroughly tested. Better act, observing all the rules, as most often condoms are torn when used improperly.
Thin condoms
Due to the fact that the condom reduces the sharpness of perception and sensations, the thinnest products become more and more popular. They minimize this drawback. With traditionally a thickness of 0.06 to 0.07 mm, now on the market you can find products with a thickness of only 0.02 mm. For example, such condoms are produced by the Japanese company Okamoto.
At the same time, the reliability of thin condoms is much lower than that of conventional ones. They tear more often and are also harder to put on. With a lack of lighting, it is difficult to find the right side, so such condoms are often worn inside out.
Double protection
In contrast, manufacturers produce condoms with double protection. It is believed that such condoms retain protective properties even in the event of a break. This happens due to the use of spermicides, special substances that destroy sperm.
However, they are not recommended to be used too often. The spermicides present in them negatively affect the microflora of the vagina, and also absorb blood, which negatively affects the body itself.