Importance of condoms
After sexual abstinence, the condom (both male and female) is the only contraceptive tool that, in addition to protecting women from unwanted pregnancies, guarantees high protection from venereal diseases.
Such an approach to sexuality is objectively unintelligent, given that the subject is very delicate: it must not be forgotten that a risky relationship (where "risk" means the possibility of encountering sexually transmitted diseases and unexpected pregnancies) can to undermine their health and that of their partner.
The condom, as well as any other reliable contraceptive method, must not be judged as a third inconvenience in the life of the couple; specifically, the use of condoms must rather be considered a gesture of maturity and responsibility, an act of protection for one's health and love for one's neighbor.
The objective of this article is to make young people and adults aware of the use of condoms: for this purpose, advantages and disadvantages will be compared, giving answers to frequent and often unspoken doubts.
Warnings and recommendations
It is now established that to live love to the full it is good to use all the attentions and precautions of the case, thus avoiding unpleasant incidents. For this purpose, it is necessary (and indispensable) not only to correctly use the chosen contraceptive method, but also to store it properly.
To maximize self-protection from unexpected conceptions and venereal diseases it is therefore important to respect some basic rules and put into practice some simple recommendations that unfortunately are often overlooked:
- Check the expiration date: even condoms - which, let's remember, are medical devices - have a deadline that must always be checked before purchase (and especially before use)
- Make sure that the size of the condom is appropriate to that of the penis: a condom that is too tight and tight risks breaking and unrolling; a condom that is too large can slip off more easily.
- Take care to insert the condom from the right direction (with the rubber ring facing outwards): otherwise, it is recommended to throw it in the trash (never in the WC) and replace it with a new one to prevent any traces of sperm (accidentally finished in the inner walls of the condom and then turned to the outside) go to determine a conception.
- Each type of condom is disposable; therefore, it is recommended not to reuse it for a second report.
- To increase vaginal lubrication or anal intercourse, it is recommended NOT to use oil-based lubricants together with the latex condom: oily substances can undermine the structural integrity of the condom. The latex with which the condom is made can be altered by oily substances such as massage oil and Vaseline. Instead, use water-based lubricants compatible with the condom material.
- Store the product in a cool, dry environment: the condom fears heat.
- Before wearing the condom, make sure the waterproof sheath is perfectly intact.
- After the removal of the condom (following the male intercourse), check its perfect structural integrity again. If the condom is damaged, the spermatozoa dispersed in the vagina may have reached and fertilized the female egg: in order to minimize the risk of unwanted pregnancies, the woman can use the morning-after pill, which must be prescribed by the doctor. To ensure that no venereal diseases have been transmitted, we also recommend specific investigative investigations.
Advantages and disadvantages
To dissolve any hypothetical doubts - in the event that they still exist - we now compare the advantages offered by the condom with the potential disadvantages associated with the contraceptive method.
PROTECTION AGAINST UNWANTED GRAVIDANCES
When used correctly, the effectiveness of the condom against unwanted conception is very high, reaching almost 99.9%. However, the data reported is unfortunately only theoretical because many lovers tend not to put into practice all the general indications (which prove to be fundamental) for a correct use of the contraceptive method. In practice, the approximate value of contraceptive efficacy tends to fall to 84-85% because errors are made both on the way of use and on the time of use.
Contraceptive effectiveness can be compromised when:
- The condom is worn only at the end of the relationship
- The use of the barrier method is avoided when the woman believes that she is not in the ovulatory period (many young women, not fully knowing their own bodies, are wrong in the calculation of fertile and non-fertile days)
- The condom is used after the expiration date
- The condom is stored in unsuitable places (eg in the bag or on the dashboard of the car)
- Do not throw the condom after having noticed that it has been threaded backwards
- It is not used correctly (slips in the other way and does not throw itself into the trash immediately after)
- A torn condom is used and not in perfect condition
- Oil-based lubricants are used together with latex condoms
- The condom pack opens with scissors or teeth: doing so runs the risk of traumatizing the sheath
- Unsuitable condoms are used for the size of the penis: a condom that is too large could be pulled out, while a too tight condom could roll up on itself.
Curiosity
Even the hormonal and implantable contraceptive methods guarantee extraordinary efficacy against unwanted pregnancies: apart from forgetfulness, the contraceptive pill, for example, protects women from unwanted conception in 99.9% of cases.
However, these contraceptive tools have the limitation of not protecting in any way from sexually transmitted diseases.
PROTECTION AGAINST VENUS DISEASES
Except for sexual abstinence, condoms are the safest contraceptive method able to protect against sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, Candidiasis, genital herpes, condylomata acuminata etc. Clearly, what is stated is valid when they are respected all the general indications listed above.
Not even the (almost) infallible contraceptive methods such as the contraceptive pill, the contraceptive patch, the vaginal ring and the IUD spirals can compete with the condom with regard to safeguarding from venereal diseases: let us once again remember that hormonal contraceptives do not protect in any way to venereal diseases.
AVAILABILITY
Unlike hormonal and implantable contraceptives, condoms are much more advantageous in terms of availability: they do not need medical prescription and can be easily bought in supermarkets, pharmacies, vending machines, on the internet and even in discos.
COST
Even the cost of condoms is rather advantageous because, being relatively low, it is affordable for everyone. Generally, the average cost of each condom varies from € 1 to € 2.
RISKS
In itself, a condom is a safe and, in a sense, risk-free method. The "risk" in question is not so much tied to the condom itself, but rather to its indiscriminate or unsuitable use. For example, anal intercourse can traumatize the latex condom sheath because it is subjected to a rather stressful action due to its integrity: in order to avoid the risk, for this type of relationship it is recommended to prefer lubricated condoms (with water-based substances ).
Another not negligible risk is constituted by the breaking of the condom: also in this case, the failure of the method almost always finds an explanation in its clumsy use.
In patients who are allergic to latex, the use of classic condoms can induce allergic reactions (irritation, itching, redness, swelling, etc.). In these cases, it is advisable to use hypoallergenic condoms, therefore made with materials other than natural rubber latex (eg polyurethane).
Even the simultaneous use of condoms with spermicides can create unpleasant side effects: spermicide - while increasing the effectiveness of the barrier method - can irritate or even damage the vaginal and rectal walls, to the point of creating burning, itching and a local rash.
COMFORT AND SEXUAL PLEASURE
There are no excuses for not using condoms (especially in polygamous or occasional relationships). Often, the couple decides not to use this type of protection because they believe that condoms can reduce sexual pleasure or hinder the understanding of the relationship. In reality, the loss of sensitivity produced by this very thin sheath is almost ridiculous and does not negatively affect pleasure.
What to do if it breaks?
As repeatedly stated, the contraceptive efficacy of condoms against unwanted pregnancies and venereal diseases can be more compromised when the correct way of use is not respected.
However, if the condom should break or tear, the protective effect is zero .
How to behave in these cases?
The risks, as we know, are two:
- POSSIBILITY OF CONCEPTION: to prevent a hypothetical pregnancy after condom rupture, the woman can take the morning-after pill (which is not the abortion pill) no later than 72 hours after the relationship at risk. Alternatively, the woman can use the IUD copper spiral: this is another contraceptive method that must be implanted in the patient's uterus by a competing figure (gynecologist). When inserted within 5 days of the risk ratio, the copper IUD spiral offers an excellent contraceptive guarantee.
- POSSIBLE TRANSMISSION OF VENUS DISEASES: it is recommended to consult a doctor for further diagnostic tests.
No contraceptive method is risk-free: consuming sexual intercourse with lightness and superficiality can sometimes cause unpleasant consequences (failure of the method).
After becoming aware of all the risks and dangers that could result from a relationship , using and proposing to the partner the use of condoms is synonymous with awareness, respect for others and maturity.
