🛑 International Condom Day

💕International Condom Day History

International Condom Day seeks to promote the use of condoms as a means of preventing unwanted pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs).  Condoms are thin rubber covers that a man wears on his penis during sexual intercourse as a contraceptive or as protection against STIs. Condoms are made from various materials such as latex, non-latex, lambskin and even female condoms. Condoms, latex and polyurethane versions, are the only method available to prevent transmission of STIs and HIV. 

International Condom Day is promoted by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation in an effort to reduce the spread of HIV through safe sex practices.  Since its inception in 2009, it has been an informal observance celebrated in conjunction with Valentine's Day.

🏹How are you going to celebrate International Condom Day (ICD) this February 13th? 

(Yes, ICD's connection to Valentine's Day is not an accident, unlike what may happen if you don't use condoms.) Use many condoms, you may answer. But as Eric Clapton has sung, "It's in the way that you use it." When used correctly, condoms can be very effective at preventing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancies (98% success). The emphasis is on the words "when used correctly," because, as studies have shown, a sizable percentage of men do not use condoms correctly and therefore may not be preventing STIs or pregnancies. Here are 15 common ways condoms are misused (and the percentage of those who make these mistakes based on a review of available studies published in the journal Sexual Health and a report of it by NBC News):

🏹1. Not wearing the condom: A condom is not like money in a bank account. Just having it won't help with sex. You actually have to wear it. As reported by Katy Steinmetz for Time, studies have found that condom use is decreasing. 

🏹2. Putting the condom on too late: (17% to 51.1%) Wearing a condom is not like drinking at a party. You can't start late and catch up. Starting sex without the condom will leave you unprotected during that time.

🏹3. Removing the condom too early (premature ejection): (13.6% to 44.7%) A condom is not like a tuxedo or a wedding dress. You should not remove it until you are are completely done.

🏹4. Unrolling a condom before wearing it: (2.1% to 25.3%) A condom is not a pair of pants. You don't completely unroll the condom before putting it on, which raises the risk of contaminating the outside of the condom.

🏹5. Overstuffing the condom: (24.3% to 45.7%) You may think that this makes a nice visual or special effect (like wearing a shirt that is too small), but really there should be room at the tip to serve as a reservoir for semen.

🏹6. Allowing air in the condom: (41.6% to 48.1%) A condom is not a balloon. Having air in the condom while having sex may lead to the condom leaking, rupturing, falling off or turning into an unusual balloon animal.

🏹7. Wearing the condom inside-out: (4% to 30.4%) A condom is not a reversible hoodie. If you put it on the wrong way, don't turn it inside out and still use it.

🏹8. Partially wearing the condom: (8.8% to 11.2%) Not unrolling a condom completely while wearing it is like putting a sock just on your toes.

🏹9. Using a sharp object to open the condom wrapper: (2.1% to 11.2%) A condom is not a piece of cheese. Using a knife, scissors, harpoon or other sharp object to remove the wrapper can pierce the condom.

🏹10. Checking in before checking out...the condom: (74.5% to 82.7%) Condoms are not sushi. They aren't perfect and may be damaged. Check your condom before using it.

🏹11. Not using lubrication: (16% to 25.8%) Not having enough lubrication is not good for anyone (e.g., words you don't want to hear: "You make me so dry"). Drier condoms break more easily.

🏹12. Using the wrong lubrication: (3.2% to 4.7%) Nutella, cooking oil, mayonnaise, suntan lotion and gasoline are not proper lubricants. Using them (especially oil-based substances) could damage the condom or lead to a fire that you really don't want to have.

🏹13. Making an incorrect withdrawal: (27% to 7%) Wearing a condom is like using an ATM. Be very careful on the withdrawal. Don't accidentally leave the condom in there or wait until the condom starts spilling and leaking.

🏹14. Reusing a condom: (1.4% to 3.3%) Really? You are going to reuse a condom because you are too cheap to keep enough around? Money isn't everything, but if someone wants to reuse a condom, you may want to re-think why you are with him. A condom is not like a football helmet. Don't reuse it.

🏹15. Storing condoms incorrectly: (3.3% to 19.1%) A condom is not a Popsicle, tofu or Cinnabon. Don't put the condom in the freezer, water or the oven. Follow the package instructions on where you can store the condom. And no, wearing a condom is not storing it.

👉With so many people not using condoms correctly, on average condoms are only 82% effective in preventing pregnancies. It also only takes one condom mishap to transmit an STI. As with many other things, with condoms, it's not simply what you have, it's how you use it.

Blogger: Egypt Assanti

ESD Baroness

{aka} Big Sister Southern Heat 💕