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Condoms are one the oldest and most commonly used forms of birth control. But many people have questions about condoms. Check out these frequently asked questions; they may have some helpful information for you and your partner.
PETROLEUM JELLY
Q. Can I use Vaseline [petroleum jelly] as a lubricant with condoms? I read not to, but a friend said he does it. Which is true?
A. Never ever use an oil-based lube with condoms! That means no Vaseline, hand creams, massage oil, suntan lotion or baby oil. Please read the product label when in doubt. Oil-based lubricants weaken the latex most condoms most are made of, increasing the likelihood of a break or tear. Oil-based lubricants also increase your partner's chance of getting a vaginal infection, because these products "hang around" after use. Water-soluble lubricants, like K-Y Jelly, Glide, Aqualube, Sylk, saliva or even water, are good lubricants to use with condoms. They are slippery, so they make sex a better experience for both people -- or for yourself. The generic brands of these products cost a lot less than the brand-name products and work well, by the way. You can buy water-based lubes online, in drugstores or even large supermarkets. In the Unites States, they are usually sold in the same section as condoms.
TOO SMALL
Q. My condom is too tight; what to do? I tried to use a condom (my first time) and it was too small. It only rolled up about half the way, and it was very tight and painful. Is there any specific brand that I should use? I’m sure I put it on correctly.
A. Most condom manufactures make large-size condoms. Penises come in different sizes, so condoms do, too. If you use a lubricant first, that will make the condom easier to put on. Use a spermicidal lubricant for added protection. Make it a water-soluble lube, of course. It is safe to put the lube on your penis before you put on the condom. You may want to practice by yourself first if you are embarrassed by this, but I think most people would understand the situation.
OKAY IN THE WATER?
Q. Can I use a condom in a swimming pool or in a hot tub (or in a lake)?
A. Good question. First, I don't think chlorine and latex are a good combination, for many reasons. Condoms are not tested in chlorinated water, so please don't take the risk; the chlorine may cause the latex to weaken. Also, the water will wash any spermicide off a condom. Second, chlorinated pool water or hot tub water may have bacteria in it that should not be transmitted into the vagina. Third, water can seep between the condom and you, and could cause the condom to break or slip off. It may seem romantic at the time, but save the sex until you are out of the pool or tub.
REDUCED SENSATION
Q. Do condoms dull my boyfriend's sensations during sex? Every time he puts one on, he says he loses sensation. Is this true?
A. I get this question a lot. It can take a while to get used to wearing a condom when you use a them for birth control or STD protection. Some men report that they actually prefer using a condom because it dulls their sensation enough to slow down their urge to orgasm, which makes sex last longer. Others, like your boyfriend, say that they can't maintain an erection while wearing a condom because it desensitizes them or makes them feel entirely different sexual sensations. After a while, your boyfriend may no longer feel the difference between intercourse with and without the condom. Another suggestion is for the two of you to experiment with different kinds, brands and shapes of condoms. The thinner brands cost more but are just as effective and provide for more sensation. Encourage him to experiment with different condoms, then you can make this a pleasant part of your sex together rather than a burden.
