If you thought watching your high school sex ed teacher roll a rubber onto a banana was all you needed to know about proper condom use, listen up. When it comes to condoms, there are a lot of things you can do wrong without even realizing it. Safe sex is only as effective as your technique, so make sure that you’re not making any of these common mistakes.
1. He Keeps It In His PocketÂ
If you notice your guy grab a rubber from his wallet…in his back pocket…you might want to supply your own. The unnecessary friction and warm temperature in these circumstances can kill the effectiveness of a condom, says Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., associate professor at Indiana University. Instead, carry your own and store it in a zippered compartment of your purse—or spring for a stylish and discreet condom carrying case.
2. You Don’t Leave Enough Room At the Tip
Without leaving space for ejaculate in the condom, you risk leakage, which defeats the whole purpose of wrapping it up in the first place. All you need to do to avoid this mistake is squeeze the tip when you roll the condom on his penis to prevent air from getting trapped. However, be aware of the newer condom styles that don’t have a tip, Herbenick warns. In that case, pinch about 1/2 inch from the top to leave enough space.
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3. You Use the Wrong Size
“Most condoms fit men just fine, but there are occasional outliers of men whose penises are much smaller or much larger than what can comfortably or safely fit in some condoms,†says Herbenick. Not to mention the occasional partner who dreams big and whips out the Magnum XL even if he doesn’t need it. To make sure your guy is using the right size, watch out for condoms that seem too tight or break or slip off often.
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4. Putting It On Too LateÂ
You might think it’s safe to get started sans condom as long as you put one on before the big finish, but according to Herbenick, this mistake sabotages your pregnancy and STD prevention efforts. Unfortunately, a recent study of people who used two methods of birth control (condoms plus hormonal contraception, for instance), found that only 59 percent of them used the condom correctly, with the rest putting it on too late or taking it off too early. If you want full protection, wear a condom from start to finish.
5. You Don’t Check the Expiration Date
That’s right, these babies expire. And don’t assume you know the general expiration date of your condoms—each brand and style has its own lifespan, says Herbenick. Condoms with certain lubricant features, such as spermicide or warming and cooling sensations, tend to expire sooner than others—so never assume your condom is good to go, even if it feels like you just bought it.
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