No matter how close you are to your kids it may daunting talking to them about sex. But discussing about condoms can help lower teen’s risk of getting unintended pregnancies and contracting sexually transmitted diseases.
Condoms are considered a barrier method of conception, there are male and female condoms. Male condoms are made of a thin sheath, made of latex or rubber, worn on the penis. Female condom is a polyurethane sheath with two rings on both ends; one end is closed and inserted into the vagina, the other is open and the ring sits outside the opening of the vagina. The male condom is commonly used.
Condoms are placed on the penis when they become erect, they work by keeping semen and sperm from entering the vagina. After ejaculation, the male should hold at the base of the condom as he pulls out of the vagina. He should do this while the penis is still erect to prevent the condom from slipping off when he gets soft because if this happens the sperm could get into the vagina. The condom is unrolled all the way to the base of the penis while holding the tip to leave some extra room for semen at the end. This prevents the condom from breaking.
A female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours prior to intercourse and removed immediately after sex before standing up. The closed end ring is inserted into the vagina creating a barrier between the sperm and the cervix.
A condom can never be reused, once used it should be thrown in the garbage not the toilet. Never use oil-based lubricants such as petroleum jelly with condoms because they can break down the rubber. A condom that seems sticky, stiff or dry when it comes out of the package or it’s past its expiration date shouldn’t be used, it should be thrown away and a new one used.
A new condom should be used each time you have sex to prevent unintended pregnancies and contracting sexually transmitted diseases. Also male and female condoms shouldn’t be used at the same time because; friction can cause them to break up, can get stuck together and cause the other to slip during intercourse making them ineffective.
Most men and women have no problem using condoms, the only side effects include; allergy to latex condoms and irritation of the condom or spermicides or lubricants that some condoms are treated with.
Condoms are a good choice to people who don’t have a lot of money to spend on birth control as they are the least expensive and most available method of birth control in supermarkets. Drug stores, vending machines in different sizes, texture and colour.
