Condoms: have you got the right moves?
Now, don’t laugh: a lot of young people don’t use condoms correctly and it’s causing STI rates to soar, which is a very bad thing. So how do you use one properly? [Tip – inflating them is fun, but not that helpful] And how can you make sure it’s 100% effective?
A recent survey into the sexual activity of almost 1,400 teenagers aged between 14 and 18 – although, we should remind you that the legal UK age limit for sex is 16 – found that nearly half were sexually active. [That is, having penetrative sex. If you’re not sure what that is, then you probably haven’t had it. And don’t feel any pressure to.] Of these, 373 had used a condom on the most recent occasion. Now, here’s where it all gets a bit messy (literally). Of these 373, 6% said they had applied a condom after penetration – the mind boggles – and 6% had continued to have sex after they had removed the condom. Even more worryingly, nearly half of the sexually active teenagers had had full sex without a condom at some point.
Honestly, have we taught you nothing? Tsk. We spoke to one of the survey’s authors, Nicole Stone, who very helpfully explained the facts of life to us. Now listen carefully…
‘We think STI rates are rising because young people are more worried about pregnancy than STIs. But condoms are the only contraception that can be used to prevent STIs.’
In case you haven’t been acquainted with STIs (in which case, you are probably using condoms correctly) they are very nasty, often don’t have any symptoms until the later stages and can cause infertility. Some, like HIV or genital herpes, can’t be cured. Not good.
So how can you protect yourself against them? We’re sure that practising putting condoms on cucumbers during sex education lessons means that you can do it with you eyes closed (as well as being pretty funny), but Nicole has some advice about WHEN to wear condoms.
‘In order to prevent STIs 100% effectively condoms have to be used properly in all sexual acts,’ she said. ‘They must be put on before any genital contact has occurred. Putting them on late, for example, after sex has started, may prevent pregnancy but the STI transfer may have already occurred.
‘To be properly effective they need to be used 100% of the time and 100% effectively.’
Righty-ho, a quick run down:
1. Make sure the condom fits (they come in different widths and lengths. Men, don’t get too hung up on this. You may not be an XXL, but neither are the majority of the male population. Size really doesn’t matter).
2. Get in on before you get it in. We thought of that all by ourselves. If you haven’t used one before, here’s how they work. Sure, they may be funny – but a healthy sex life needs a sense of humour. Have a laugh, but use one all the same.
3. Make sure the condom stays on the whole time. How it can be 100% effective if you don’t use it 100% of the time?
4. Check the condom when it’s all over, to make sure it didn’t split – that’ll avoid any nasty rashes, or surprises nine months later.
5. Even if you’re in a committed relationship, make sure you have regular STI check-ups. We’re not doubting your relationship, we just think it’s better to be safe than sorry.
6. Enjoy yourself! If you’re comfortable with who you are with and have taken all the correct precautions, everything else will fall into place. So to speak.
If you are thinking of having sex, or just want some advice or reassurance, give The Brook a call on 020 7713 9000 or visit their site at www.brook.org.uk.
Well done everyone. Now we can all snigger a bit. Sex. Teehee…
Comments
(All comments will need to be approved before they will be shown on this page)
