This article is not meant to scare you, but instead to ensure you know what you’re getting yourself into every time you have “sexy time” with your man. The sad truth is that it’s impossible to have sex and have it be a 100% safe, especially if your only contraception is a condom. The only way to have 100% safety is to not have sex!
There have many cases of women who fall pregnant even though they used a condom. According to Go Ask Alice, between 10 and 15 out of 100 sexually active women will get pregnant in a year of typical condom use. The reasons vary for different people, but most of it comes down to using a condom correctly.
Women should have a healthy sexual life, after all we have needs like everyone else. No one likes to freak out and spend a bomb on pregnancy tests every time your period is just one day late, so here are a few things you should pay attention to:
Condoms are only 98% safe
This is one of the most important things you need to be aware of. Most researchers and medical experts have suggested that you get a back up plan, they can be in the form of spermicides, IUDs or birth control pills. Each of them have their own pros and cons too, so hit ’em up on Google and find out which one works best for you. Better yet, get advise from a doctor! Or make sure you use an extra-strength one, because one of those little guys might just get through.
You are ovulating
If you don’t know what ovulating is, you should probably stop having sex right now and go download any of the free period-tracking apps on your smartphone. The ovulation period is when an egg is released into your ovary, waiting to be fertilised. This usually happens on the 12 to 16th day of your cycle, it’s when you’re most fertile, and is the riskiest days for you to get jiggy with your partner. You can click here to learn more about signs of ovulation.
The period-tracking app can tell you when it is safe for you to engage in coitus and when it is not. You can also buy an ovulation test kit from your local pharmacy. Yes, there is such a thing.
The condom might be faulty or expired
You know when you watch Western movies and this supposedly “loser” guy becomes ecstatic when he’s about to get laid, because now he can finally use that condom he’s been saving since 8th grade? We hate to break it to you, but that doesn’t work in real life. In fact, men should NEVER store condoms in their wallet.
Depending on the type of condom you’re using, most condoms can last about 2-5 years from the manufactured date. Don’t be afraid to ask the guy to throw it out if they are way past their prime. Better yet, carry a box with you. It’s really not that heavy.
You wore it the wrong side, then changed it inside out
Sometimes, in the heat of excitement, your man might put the condom on the wrong side, then slide it out and switch it to the right side. This is a big no-no. Chance are that he already got some semen on it.
According to Diane from EmpowHER, the sperm from the pre-ejaculate is enough to cause pregnancy, especially if you’re fertile and ovulating. So it’s best to throw it out and use a fresh one.
You did it with no condom first then put it on later
Some people make the mistake of not using a condom all way. They might do it for a “few seconds” first, then use a condom, or just stop after the few seconds. Condoms need to be used from the beginning of the intercourse for it to be effective and to avoid pregnancy. Ovulation may only last 24 hours, but sperm can stay alive inside you for 5-7 days.
There is no such thing as “if we do it just for a few seconds nothing will happen”. Anything can happen and it takes only a few seconds to get knocked up.
Withdrawing too late after ejaculation
This is a lesser known fact, but it is always better to withdraw the penis while it is still hard to prevent the semen from leaking out. Make sure to also hold on to the condom, while pulling it out bit by bit.
It is always better that you and your partner discuss beforehand about the types of birth control you’re using, and what would your plan B be in case of a slip up.
Here’s a cheat-sheet for you on how to use a condom correctly, or you can check out this video on how to use correctly use a condom.
