To prevent any risk of unwanted pregnancy but also and especially of sexually transmitted diseases (AIDS and other STDs), the male condom remains one of the safest means. How to use it without risk? We can decipher for you how it is used and how it works.

The male condom is a kind of latex sheath which covers the penis in order to recover the sperm after ejaculation and thus avoid any contact between male and female fluids. It is therefore to be unrolled on the erect male sex before the first penetration.

For its installation to be correct, a few rules must be observed:

• The part to be unwound must be outside, so check this point before starting
• Pinch the end of the condom (the reservoir) to expel any air inside
• Place the latter at the end of the penis and unroll the condom to the base of the penis while maintaining your support on the reservoir

When withdrawing (before the erection is complete), you should hold it at the base of the penis and tie a knot to block the semen. Then throw this device in the trash. It is essential to change condoms with each sexual intercourse and possibly combine it with a lubricating gel to facilitate intercourse. You should never stack two condoms on top of each other.

To start, check that its packaging is not damaged or torn and that the expiration date has not passed. It is also necessary that the CE or NF standards are present to certify the good conformity of the condom. When opening the condom package, be careful not to damage it with your fingernails or teeth. Prefer also an opening with your fingers so as not to tear it.

Use a non-greasy (water-based) lubricating gel to facilitate penetration and improve protection. Do not use any unsuitable cream or oil, they could damage the condom by making it porous and thus allowing fluids to pass through.

The condom should also remain securely in place throughout intercourse. This is why it is essential to choose the right size condom. If not, the condom does not protect as much as it should. If the condom does not stay in place or cracks, it should be replaced with a new one.

If your partner has chosen another method of contraception, this in no way exempts its use. It is the only bulwark against the spread of STDs. Talk about it among yourselves and don’t be afraid to approach the subject in private, it is very important.

Finally, practice. It is by practicing that its implementation and use will be facilitated!

Well used, it is effective in 98% of cases. Unfortunately, badly used, failures amount to 15%. It is therefore important to use it for all intercourse and at any time of the menstrual cycle of your partner, but also to train regularly (especially at the beginning of sexual life) to put it on and take it off.

To avoid tears (although they are quite rare), it is also recommended to use a lubricating gel that promotes smooth penetration. You can also combine it with another form of contraception to prevent unwanted pregnancy.

For people who are allergic to latex, the main component of male condoms, there are a few polyurethane ones that are non-allergic.

It is available without a prescription and in all pharmacies. It is also found in a large number of open-access general stores (supermarkets, coffee shops, newsagents, gas stations, etc.) and in condom distributors found in the street. It is therefore very easy to obtain it.

The condom is the only barrier against sexually transmitted diseases and infections. It is therefore not only a method of contraception and must become systematic in the event of sexual intercourse with a new partner.

First and foremost, it is important to communicate in order to identify the risks of contamination. By asking the right questions, you will learn more about your partner: Has he recently been tested? Has he had risky behavior and unprotected sex since? Is she taking another method of contraception? Etc?

If you want to wash yourself, do not insist too much and avoid rubbing hard at the risk of injuring yourself and promoting contamination. And if in doubt, get tested.

Used alone or combined with a second contraceptive method, the pill or the IUD for example (this is called a double protection), the male condom must become systematic from the first sexual intercourse. Sometimes shunned, it is however the only effective protection against all sexually transmitted diseases.