The 8 condom myths that could leave you pregnant or with a nasty STI
CONDOMS... we all know they're a must for safe sex.
And as well as preventing nasty STIs, they can protect against unwanted pregnancies.
Without a doubt, the biggest condom-related mistake you can make is NOT using them.
But even when responsible couples practise safe sex, the humble rubber can rip or tear as you get passionate between the sheets.
And many of us are guilty of falling for common myths around the condom, putting us at greater risk of a nasty STI or an unwanted pregnancy.
It turns out some people think you can RECYCLE condoms, prompting the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) in the US to issue this warning on Twitter: "Don't wash or re-use your condoms!
"Use a fresh one for each sex act."
Nakita Halil, chief executive of sexual health charity FPA, said there is still a huge amount of stigma surrounding STIs and sex.
She told The Sun Online: "This isn't helpful when we’re trying to encourage more open conversations between sexual partners and increase condom use.
"The main problem is a lack of high quality sex and relationships education, which means many young people are not given important information about enjoying safer sex, or consistently taught skills like talking about condoms with a partner.
You can experiment with different kinds of condoms, including varying shapes and sizes, when you’re masturbating to find which type feels best for you.
Nakita Halil, chief executive of FPA
"With nearly one in five men reporting they have not used a condom because they don’t like how they feel, and 30 per cent because they don’t enjoy sex as much when using condoms, it is important to highlight ways to make using condoms a more desirable option.
"You can experiment with different kinds of condoms, including varying shapes and sizes, when you’re masturbating to find which type feels best for you.
"This helps to make condoms an aid to pleasurable sex without the worry of infections, rather than something which creates awkwardness and is more likely to be abandoned in the heat of the moment because of a lack of practice and confidence."
Here, on International Condom Day, we bust seven myths about the humble condom...
MYTH #1 - You can reuse them
Recycling is good for the planet, but there is no need to recycle your condoms.
You may think you are saving money buy pulling it off and washing it out once you've reached heady heights, but it won't be effective the second time round.
The condom would have been weakened by the friction so is more likely to break and it would have been stretched so it is more likely to slip off.
Not to mention there is a certain element of gross in this myth.
And Nakita's advice?
"Use a condom once, tie it in a knot and throw it in the bin," she said.
MYTH #2 - Thinner condoms are more likely to break
Good news boys, that's not true.
Thinner condoms have been specially designed to allow you maximum pleasure with maximum safety.
The thickness of the condom doesn't necessarily correspond to safety, according to Durex.
After all, their main purpose is to stop your swimmers escaping in the first place.
But if you're worried about the thinner ones not being enough make sure you read the instructions before you use them.
MYTH #3 - You don't have to put it on straight away
You may have been told, or heard from your pals, that it's OK to start having sex with someone and only put on a condom when you're close to climaxing.
That is NOT a rule to abide by, Nakita warned.
You may like the feeling of being condom-free but you're risking nasty STIs and pregnancy.
Nakita said: "There is going to be some pre-cum and you won't protect yourself from STIs. So really it is better to use a condom the whole way through."
What many people assume is that you need to ejaculate for a woman to become pregnant, but during sex fluids are released from the penis that contain semen even before you have ejaculated.
So it is possible for a woman to fall pregnant before you've put the condom on, she told The Sun Online.
MYTH #4 - Using two is better
No boys, double bagging does not give you double protection against unwanted pregnancy.
In fact, it could do the opposite.
Using a condom on top of another condom could cause more friction which could lead to the rubber breaking, or it could just make it fit badly and cause it to slip off in the heat of the moment.
Nakita said: "Using two could make it weaker, so you need to use one condom and know how to use it properly.
"Sometimes through a lack of education there isn't enough information for young people on condoms.
"As with any myth they kind of stir up and people run with them and think it is the right thing to do."
MYTH #5 - You can't use condoms for anal sex
Yes, you can and you definitely should.
Sexually transmitted diseases and HIV can be transmitted through any unprotected sex - that includes anal sex.
But there are currently no specific standards for the manufacturing of condoms for anal sex,
For anal sex in particular, application of additional water-based or silicone-based lubricants to the outside of the condom once it is on is recommended to help reduce the risk of breakage the condom slipping off.
MYTH #6 - Condoms are safe to use in water
The truth behind this is slightly unclear.
While it is not recommended you have unprotected sex, it is also not known how a condom will perform underwater.
There has been no research into the performance of condoms when they are used in or underwater.
The risk of it slipping off, for example, might be higher in water.
Though the salt in seawater would not have adverse effects on condom materials, there is a strong possibility that the chemicals used in swimming pools, such as chlorine and ozone, would.
The presence of bath oils or other substances in the water or applied in the shower may also damage the latex material, making it less fool proof than you think.
So it's probably best to just avoid having sex in water altogether.
MYTH #7 - Flavoured condoms are only for oral sex
This may surprise you, but that's actually a myth.
Bizarrely, flavoured condoms are intended primarily for vaginal use - despite the fact vaginas can't taste them.
But if you want to be adventurous and try them orally it won't cause any harm.
The lubes used on the condoms is safe for ingestion.
But if you do use one during oral sex, be sure to throw it away and use a new one before having sex vaginally.
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MYTH #8 - Not enough lube can ruin the mood
Actually, there are no rules one this one.
You can use as little or as much as you like - it really just comes down to personal preference.
The best thing to do is just relax, enjoy and experiment.
If you're trying lube for the first time, simply squeeze a little lubricant onto your fingertips and gently apply down there.
Lubricant can be used with or without a condom, either when it is already on or before.
But take care not to use too much before you put the condom on, otherwise it may slip off during sex.
You can always apply more if you need it.
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