Condoms – do they fail? Or do you? (1)

So Baako decided they would give condoms another try even though Amina wanted to try something else.

If you haven’t met Amina, you can find out about her here and here

“Condoms are very effective at preventing pregnancy. If used correctly, only two women out of 100 will get pregnant in one year.“

“So were we just one of the unlucky two that condoms failed?” asked Amina.

“It depends on how you were using it.“

“How else? You just put it on and use it, isn’t it?“ Baako said.

“It needs to be put on before any contact between the penis and the vagina. This is because any fluid leaking out of the penis may contain sperm and cause a pregnancy.“

“I see…“ Baako and Amina looked at each other knowingly.

“You need to handle the condom carefully as it can easily be damaged by sharp finger nails or jewellery and any leaks lead to a higher risk of pregnancy.

“You should never re-use a condom and don’t forget to check the expiry date.“

“Do they expire?“ Baako was surprised.

“Yes they do and expired condoms may not be very effective.”

“And after intercourse?“

“Hold the condom firmly in place while pulling out slowly and carefully so you do not spill any semen.“

“To be honest, I feel a lot of friction when he uses condoms and its not comfortable,“ Amina said.

“What do you feel about using lubricating gel?“

“Lubricating gel? What’s that?“ They clearly hadn’t heard of it.

1. Bearing all of the above in mind, just how effective do you think condoms are in the heat of passion???

2. Did you know that condoms have a ‘use by’ date?

3. Who taught you how to use condoms effectively? Yourself or someone else? Who do you think would be the best person to teach safe condom use?

Tagged

4 Responses

  1. Pingback: Celebrating the Sexual Wellbeing Network (SWB) community! | Sexual Wellbeing Network

  2. Engee, it’s interesting that many assume they know how to use condoms and yet there is such a high user failure rate when it comes to preventing pregnancy using condoms.
    Male condoms are supposed to be 98% effective at preventing pregnancy but this can only happen if one takes the time to learn how to use it ‘consistently and correctly’

    Reply

  3. Another interesting piece of information…Not until my son was taught how to use condom in a health class, I couldn’t have imagined there was a proper way to do it. Like most black parents, I was initially upset about the need for a teenager to be exposed to that aspect of life but when I realised he will one day use it, then I felt better he learns to use it the right way from the experts rather than from someone or somewhere else. We need to be better informed to protect ourselves and our loved ones.

    Different people have different experiences with condoms. The feeling is not the same for some, there is the possibility of a tear as well as putting off using it in the heat of the moment too. I personally don’t see condom as very effective.

    Reply

    1. Thanks Engee for sharing your feelings as a teenager’s mum whose child has been taught to use condoms.

      I believe you spoke the mind of many parents ….we do worry that all these teaching to teenagers may actually promote promiscuity but does it really?

      Take it this way….we pray that our children will not stray but if they do, it will be good to know they have basic skills to protect themselves.

      Hopefully, that way, when they do ‘come back’ to the right path, they will not be coming back with an unplanned pregnancy or Gonorrhoea or HIV.
      Thanks for commenting.

      Reply

Leave a Reply