Guest written by Rain Andersen (@wearenotfriends_) a veteran sworker with eight years in adult entertainment and three years working for Lovers.

It’s National Condom Week! To celebrate this momentous holiday, Lovers Stores will be discussing how to put on a condom, how to store your condoms, and a few ways to make condom-use more erotic! 

WHY YOU SHOULD USE CONDOMS

If you have ever attended a sex education class, a good chunk of the curriculum probably focused on the use of condoms. Condoms are the only form of contraception that can prevent the spread of STI’s (sexually transmitted infections), which is why we tend to use them in conjunction with other methods of birth control. In the United States, one in five Americans live with an STI (CDC, 2021). This translates to over 54,000 new cases per day, with one new transmission every thirty-eight minutes (CDC, 2018).

It’s important to note that STI’s infect individuals of all races, genders, religious backgrounds, and sexual orientations. STI’s and STD’s (sexually transmitted diseases) are not indicative of an individual’s sexual history or morality, but they can be prevented by wearing a condom.

HOW TO USE A CONDOM

Never used a condom? It is not as uncommon as you think. Condoms work best when the wearer is erect. Start by carefully removing your condom from its wrapper. Uncircumcised individuals will want to pull back the foreskin before inserting the head of their penis. This will ensure that the glans is exposed for stimulation. Unroll the condom until it covers the entire shaft.

If you feel the condom break at any point during intercourse, stop immediately, withdraw, and replace with a new condom. After sex, and before pulling out, hold the condom at its base. This will secure the contents of the condom as you exit your partner. Carefully remove the condom and dispose of it in the trash.

HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR CONDOMS

Heat, pressure, and friction can compromise the structural integrity of your contraceptive. Try to store condoms in a cool, dry location to preserve their material and shape. Once you have opened the condom, squeeze on the sleeve from tip to base to remove any air bubbles. As you squeeze, inspect the condom for tears or holes.

A water-based lubricant can help prevent breakage and enhance comfort when paired with a condom. Start with one drop on the inside and outside of the condom to see how lubricant can influence your experience with prophylactic's. Always remember to dispose of condoms after one use, and never stack condoms.

MAKING CONDOMS SEXY: A STEP-BY-STEP GUIDE

It’s easier than ever to find condoms! We curated six, sexy techniques for making condom-use more erotic. Find them in assorted colors, scents, and textures at your local Lovers Store!

• The act of putting on a condom can be a form of foreplay. Ask your partner to get involved by having them place the condom on you using their hands or mouth to guide it in place.
• While condoms can reduce sensation, they can also extend your session in bed. A condom can be one way of experimenting with a slow build of sensation.
• Condoms are the only contraceptive method proven to reduce the risk of STI’s. There is nothing sexier than staying safe with your loved ones!
• Place a drop of lubricant on the inner reservoir tip of the condom to increase the wearers pleasure. Remember to use a single drop to prevent the condom from sliding off during use.
• Keep condoms accessible. Nothing can disrupt the mood like having to search high and low for a condom.
• Experiment with different shapes and textures. Modern condoms come in many designs that help to stimulate both partners.

 

WITH PLEASURE,

LOVERS