When it comes to all kinds of sex, condoms are absolutely essential.

While they may not be man’s favorite thing in the world, the fact still remains that condoms are indeed man’s real best friend. Sorry, Fido.

Keep reading to learn all about the ins and outs of condoms and why you should always have one on deck. Except for adult Discord sex, but more on that later!

Condoms explained

A condom is a sheath-shaped barrier device used during sex to reduce the probability of pregnancy or a sexually transmitted infection (STI). And while condoms are typically thought of as only made for men, there are both male and female condoms.

Do condoms actually work?

When used correctly (and when used at every act of intercourse), women whose partners use male condoms experience a 2% per-year pregnancy rate. With that kind of statistic, the answer is yes. They do work at helping prevent unwanted pregnancies.

Condoms work by creating a barrier between your body and your partner’s body during sexual intercourse. This barrier prevents contact with each other’s bodily fluids, which can transmit STIs.

It’s worth mentioning that male condoms are less effective at preventing STIs, though. However, when used correctly, they still offer a level of protection from chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV/AIDS, HPV, and herpes simplex virus type 2.

What kinds are there?

When your condom shopping for the 1st time, you might be surprised when seeing all the kinds that exist. But some types of condoms work better than others, depending on the situation. So, take a look at the following, and you just might be a bit more prepared when you head to the store to stock up.

·       Latex condoms

The most common type of condoms out there are latex condoms, which are made of latex rubber. They are effective at preventing pregnancy and STDs/STIs, but can sometimes cause allergic reactions. But this is rare.

·       Polyurethane condoms

These condoms are made from polyurethane plastic and are actually thinner than latex condoms. They are a good option for those that turn out to have a latex allergy.


·       Lambskin condoms

These condoms are made from lambskin and are effective at preventing pregnancy, but keep in mind that they do not protect against STDs/STIs. The only reason people use these kinds of condoms is usually due to severe skin allergies.

·       Flavored condoms

These fun condoms can be made from latex or polyurethane and are coated with a flavor-enhanced lubricant. They are typically used for oral sex, but the sky’s the limit!

·       Spermicidal condoms

These condoms contain a spermicide that kills sperm, making them more effective at preventing pregnancy. However, they do not protect against STDs/STIs.

No matter what type of condom you choose, just be sure to use it correctly every time you have sex to maximize its effectiveness.

Woman holding banana in condom on pink background, closeup. Safe sex concept

When is it ok to not use a condom?

Thankfully, there is one kind of sex that actually does not require a condom. And that is virtual sex.

While many people might assume that virtual sex isn’t as fun as real sex, those people probably haven’t tried joining an adult discord.

Adult Discord is an 18+ online community where people can chat, enjoy adult content, or have virtual sex with cam models. And it’s these adult discord sites that give men and women the ability to enjoy sex safely without any need for condoms and without any risk of getting someone pregnant or contracting an STD.

Just casual, safe sex with a stranger! Doesn’t sound completely boring now, does it?

How to use condoms “correctly”

Good question! Because using a condom in the right way is the only way that it can do its job.

  • Use a new condom for each sexual encounter.
  • Check the expiration date on the condom package and make sure the condom is not damaged before using it.
  • Carefully open the condom wrapper with your fingers. Do not use your teeth, as this can damage the condom.
  • Place the condom over the tip of the penis and unroll it all the way to the base.
  • Squeeze out any air bubbles that may be present in the condom so that it can fit snugly against the skin.
  • Apply water-based lubricant to both sides of the condom if necessary. This will help reduce friction and make sex more pleasurable. After sex, hold onto the base of the condom as you withdraw from your partner so that it does not slip off.
  • Dispose of the condom in a trashcan; do not flush it down the toilet.

 

Image Source: BigStockPhoto.com (Licensed)

 

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