Everything You Need to Know About Condoms

Do you have any questions about condoms?

 

Condoms are one of the most important things to consider if you’re planning on having sex with that special someone (or maybe just ‘someone’).

 

But what do you know about condoms really? If you’ve ever stopped to think about your little rubber friends and realised that you’ve got more questions than answers then you’re in the right place.

 

We’ve answered some of the most frequently asked questions about condoms, so you can get your answers and get back to having some fun.

 

What are the advantages of using a condom?

We all know that condoms can protect you from unwanted pregnancies and can protect you from STIs, but are there any other benefits to using a condom?

 

Well for starters they’re a very cheap method of contraception, here at Chemist 4 U you can pick up a box of 144 Pasante Naturelle condoms for £14.99 – that works out at just over 10p per condom!

 

Has anyone ever told you that condoms get in the way and stop you enjoying sex? Well let me tell you that is a myth! Condoms can actually help you to have a better time during sex if you’re using them properly.

 

For example, some condoms come coated with a stimulating lubricant that can make things more fun for him and for her, whereas others are ribbed and dotted in ways that increase stimulation for both of you.

 

Not only that, but you can relax and enjoy sex without worrying about whether you’re going to get an STD, and sex it better when you’re not worrying about it!

 

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So, there are lots of advantages for condoms, but are there any disadvantages? Well the biggest one we’ve found is that you have to use a condom every time you have sex if it’s your chosen method of contraception.

 

If you’re having sex with a long-term partner and are confident that STDs won’t be a problem between the two of you, you might want to consider a different method of contraception, such as the pill or the implant, so you won’t have to use a condom every time.

 

Although it’s good to know that condoms will help to make other methods of contraceptives more effective, so condoms still have their advantages if you want to be really careful about unwanted pregnancies.

 

How effective are condoms?

 

Condoms are very effective when it comes to protecting yourself from unwanted pregnancies or STDs.

 

Condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy when used correctly. This means that when 100 women use a condom correctly during sex only 2 of these women will become pregnant. Those are some really good odds!

 

When it comes to STDs, condoms are the only method of contraception that will protect you from picking up any nasty diseases.

 

Although they’re not 100% effective, condoms are by far the best way to protect yourself from STDs such as chlamydia, genital herpes, and gonorrhoea while having sex. Be smart, be safe, and use a condom!

 

 

What size condom should I use?

 

You may be surprised to learn that many men are wearing the wrong sized condom during sex.

 

If you’ve ever felt like your condom is too big or too small, then we can help you to find the right fit, the glass slipper of condoms, if you will.

 

Click below to check out our handy guide to condom sizes and how to find the right condom size for you.

 

 

 

How to remove a condom.

 

So, you’ve used your condom and you’ve had a great time doing so, now you’ve got to get it off! Removing a condom is super simple but can be a little messy if you’re not careful.

 

To remove a condom, hold it by the rim (the part that you’ve rolled down to the base of your penis) and gently slide it off of your penis while you are still erect.

 

There you go, your condom is off and you can throw it away with the rest of your trash.

 

 

Can condoms go out of date?

 

Yes, condoms can go out of date, and like food products they come stamped with an expiration date. If you take a look at the little foil packet your condom comes wrapped in, you’ll notice that the expiration date is printed right on the packet.

 

You’re going to want to pay attention to that expiration date, because if you use a condom after that date has passed then you’re going to be at higher risk of catching STDs or having an unwanted pregnancy.

 

Just think of it in exactly the same way as food expiration dates, you wouldn’t drink milk that’s a month out of date, so why would you use an out of date condom? Just pick up some new ones and get down to it!

 

 

Can you reuse a condom?

 

No, you can’t use a condom more than once. They’re designed to be used once and once only, so don’t try your luck with a used condom if you find that you want to go another round.

 

Reusing a condom can make it more likely that the condom will slip, leak, or break and can increase the likelihood of you catching an STD or having an unwanted pregnancy.

 

Can condoms break without you knowing?

 

Condoms can break during sex, but if you’re a man you will probably be able to tell if your condom has split. When a condom breaks a man can notice the change of sensation which can tell that the condom has broken.

 

However, if you’re a woman it can be difficult to know if your condom has split, so if you want to be extra sure take a moment to look at the condom and use your hands to be sure that it’s still in one piece.

 

If you find that the condom has split, make sure that you use emergency contraception as soon as possible and be sure to get an STD test if you’re worried about catching something from your partner.

 

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Can you get an STD with a condom?

 

Condoms are the only method of contraception that can protect you from STDs, but they’re not perfect. Although they can keep STDs such as chlamydia and gonorrhoea at bay, they can’t always protect you from STDs that are transferred through skin-to-skin contact.

 

This means that condoms can’t keep you safe from genital warts, genital herpes, or syphilis. If you’re not sure whether your partner has an STD, it’s much safer to just not have sex with them at all.

 

I know, I know, that’s not what you want to hear, but it really is better to be safe than sorry!

 

Can condoms cause thrush?

No, condoms don’t cause thrush although having sex can contribute to you developing a yeast infection whether you use a condom or not.

 

Thrush is caused by a disturbance in the natural environment of your genital area, meaning that any disruption can contribute to a yeast infection.

 

So yes, sex can help you to get a yeast infection but no condoms won’t make this any more likely than it already is. Condoms can actually stop you from catching thrush if your partner already has it.

 

Although thrush is not an STD it can still be passed from partner to partner during sex, and wearing a condom stops you from giving thrush to your partner.

 

If you do get thrush, don't get mad and don't blame the condom! Just treat it with one of our quick and easy treatments that will keep the itch under control until your infection is gone.

 

 

Can condoms cause a UTI?

 

UTIs or urinary tract infections are similar to thrush in that they are caused by a disturbance in the natural environment of your genitals, however UTIs are caused by bacteria entering your urinary tract and causing an infection in your bladder.

 

Like with thrush, all sex can contribute to developing a UTI but condoms don’t make this any more likely than it would be already.

 

And just in case you were wondering, yes, we've got UTI treatments too. Ain't we good to you?

 

 

Those are all of the condom questions we have for you today my friends, but don’t worry if your most burning query didn’t make the list.

 

If you’re still not sure about what condoms mean for your health, why not drop us a line? Our team here at Chemist 4 U will be able to answer any of your most confusing questions about condoms and how they can help you to have safe (and fun!) sex.

 

 
Laura Henderson - Medical Content Writer
James O'Loan - CEO & Superintendent Pharmacist
James O'Loan , CEO & Superintendent Pharmacist on 22 September 2021
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