Are you using condoms correctly?

Today on Menstrual Mastery we’re talking all about how most people are using condoms incorrectly. At best some of us were taught how to put a condom on a banana in health class or by our “cool mom”, and at worst most of us fumbled around in our early sexual experiences embarrassed AF trying to figure out how the heck to use a condom.

When it comes to something as important as using a condom, it’s not a great idea to be self-taught or pretend like once the condom goes on the “banana” that the work is done.

I cringe when I think about my early days using condoms. Some condom from a 21 year old guy’s nightstand table with wrinkled packaging from God knows when. Looking away when he put it on because I was embarrassed, so I didn’t even know if he put it on correctly. Not applying lube to the condom prior to initiating sex so it was dry AF and then not-so-surprisingly it breaks 20 minutes later after some not so satisfying dry intercourse. Ugh, my poor 19 year old self.

Today’s episode is for everyone who wants to have good sex while using condoms. For everyone who has a story that sounds remotely like mine. Let’s take a look at the 4 most common mistakes people make when using condoms!

#1. Using a mystery condom.

A mystery condom is any condom that you don’t know its origin. The condom from his nightstand. The condom from his wallet. The condom he borrowed from his roommate. If you don’t know where it’s been stored or how old it is, don’t use the condom.

We’re not often taught this, but condoms have an expiration date and past that date they can be much less effective and prone to breaking. Condoms can also be impacted by high heat and become punctured when rustling around in a wallet, purse, or nightstand with pens and what have you.

The most effective condom is the one that goes directly from its packaging, to your hand to tear open, and onto the penis. It’s not past its expiration date and it hasn’t been sitting out in the sun, in a wallet, or a purse.

#2. Not using lube.

Most people think that if they’re young they shouldn’t need to use lube during sex. That’s a common misconception, especially if you’re using a condom. While it’s true that we make our own lubricating fluid when aroused, it’s not always enough to keep things slippery and fun during sex. And, it’s rarely enough to keep a condom lubricated. Lubricated condoms come with a small amount of lube on the condom. This is often just enough lube to keep the condom from sticking to the packaging and to help it unroll. For a condom to feel good and avoid getting too dry, we need to use additional lube. If we don’t not only can it feel uncomfortable during sex, but it can cause the condom to become dry which increases the risk of breaking. Moral of the story - Use lube at any age!

#3. Using conventional condoms from the drugstore.

Drugstore condoms are made and marketed towards our penis-weilding friends. Names like Trojan and Durex with boxes covered in aggressive font and dark colors don’t exactly shout “Hi Beautiful Woman, I am made for your lovely lady parts.” Conventional condoms, despite any nonsense on the box, are not made with a woman’s true sensuality and pleasure in mind. What’s even worse is that they are laden with toxic chemicals that get absorbed by the sensitive skin of the vagina.

To really enjoy using condoms we have to choose condoms that were made for vaginas too. Brands like Lola offer condoms made for women, by women that help keep our vaginal pH balanced, our bodies safe & healthy, and to maximize our pleasure while ensuring maximum efficacy.

If you’ve been known to say “I hate condoms” but have never tried a vagina-friendly condom, now’s the time!

#4. Thinking that supplying the condom is the guy’s job.

It takes two to get it on. A condom doesn’t just go on the penis, it goes in our vaginas too. Anything that goes in our bodies is just as much our responsibility and something we should feel comfortable buying, having, & supplying. Condom confidence is KEY to good, safe sex. If you want to have sex and be certain that the condom is in good condition, that there’s enough lube applied, and that the condom was made with the health and pleasure of you body in mind… then, girl, bring your own condom.

When I was single I would not hook up with a guy unless we used the condom that I supplied. If he said no, we didn’t have sex. As simple as that. It’s time to claim condoms as our thing too!

There you have it, 4 common mistakes people make when using condoms and how to avoid them. When using fertility awareness methods as natural birth control we have to use a barrier method like condoms during our fertile window which is approximately 10 days long in each cycle, so it’s important that we know how to use condoms safely to maximize our pleasure.

And if you’re thinking, “Ten days, ugh, that’s a lot of condoms.” Then I’ve got some good news. You don’t have to use condoms 10 times per cycle, unless of course you are having sex every single day of your fertile window. In my personal and professional experience I’ve seen that most people on average have intercourse about 3 times during their fertile window, which means only about 3 condoms per month.

Are you interested in learning how to track your cycle using fertility awareness methods as natural birth control too?

Disclaimer: Brandy Oswald, Sauvage Wellness LLC, and her employees are not doctors, nurses, physicians, psychotherapists, or in anyway licensed medical practitioners and information presented here is to serve as an educational resource and not to be interpreted as: (1) medical advice; (2) a 100% effective birth control option; (3) 100% pregnancy achievement support or (4) nutrition or health guidelines. By reading this you acknowledge that you understand that as a specialized form of consulting, coaching is not the same as professional or licensed therapy or medical advice and intervention; and recognize that it is your responsibility to seek such services from a licensed professional. Brandy Oswald is not a medical provider and cannot give medical advice. All information provided by Sauvage Wellness LLC and Brandy Oswald is of a general nature and is intended only for educational purposes to help with your personal health improvement goals and should not be relied on as medical advice. Always consult a physician with any health concerns and prior to changing your diet, lifestyle, supplements,birth control, or prescription medicine routine. Should you choose to use the information provided by Brandy Oswald it is of your own volition and you recognize that neither Brandy nor Sauvage Wellness LLC is not held liable for any intended or unintended outcomes.