h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

Here are two warnings on the use of condoms.

1. It can be difficult in the dark to see which side of the condom is which. If you try and unroll the condom the wrong way, you may touch your penis against the outside of the condom. If this happens, throw the condom away. Don't try and use it again. It will protect you from ST Diseases, but it will not act as a contraceptive.

2. It is very important that the condom does not slip off during sex and remain inside the woman. This is likely to happen if don't withdraw after orgasm. As you lose firmness, the condom might slip. Make sure to hold the base of the condom as you withdraw.

why is #1 true?

a good suggestion is to make a game of putting the condom on. most guys don't mind leaving the lights on so the girl can see what she's doing, it can be fun and educational for the girl, most guys love it when their partners put their condoms on for them. it's very sensual.

i should also mention in this forum (already posted in how not to...)that you need to be careful of what type of lubricant you use with condoms. always use a water based lubricant, NEVER use a petroleum or oil based lubricant. most traditional lubricants (ones made specifically for this purpose) will state on the package whether or not they are safe to use with condoms. spermicidal lubricants are always safe and work the best (contraception-wise)

also there are differences in effectiveness in different types of condoms. laytex is more effective than lambskin, i don't know if there are other types out there, or how effective they are.

You can of course get condim which are already spermicidally lubricated and therefore safes the hassle of trying to find the right lubricant.

oh, and another hint -

not for any type of prevention or anything, but because condoms suck and if you have to use one you might as well make the best of it....

before putting the condom on, put a few drops of lubricant on the inside of the condom, even if it is already lubricated. it makes all the difference in the world.

another thought on the first item of the first post....

how can it protect against STD's but not prevent pregnancy? if the sperm can get out, can't the bacteria or disease get in?

Good point. Any semen or blood can carry diseases so if it was on the wrong side of the protection STDs could be transferred. And trust me having to take an HIV test is not fun.

I suspect that that comment was made from the point of view of a male participant. It would make sense that way. STDs could still be transfered, but only to the female.

The original comment was made from the male point of view. I forgot that the male might be the one with the STD.

Tsk tsk!

Did you know that Casanova also used CONDOMS specially made out of thin and soft skin of deer's genitals!!!

Using a condom is similar to drinking decaf cofee or non-alc. beer.

okay, so let me get this straight. if you are putting a condom on, and you touch the wrong side of the tip of the condom with your....um....penis, and the penis is already moist with pre-ejaculate, then the condom would not prevent against pregnancy, but would still protect against STD's.

i was thinking that you meant that touching the wrong side of a condom compromised it's intregrity in some way.

i understand now.