7 Condom Myths and Facts Debunked For Safe Sex

Probably, the first time you heard the word "condom" was when someone whispered it to you during those teenage days. From then on, you must have gleaned your early sexual knowledge through a variety of sources like media, movies, peer-group chats, and an uncomfortable conversation with your parents. During this period, you might have heard a lot of myths about condoms and IUDs.

Whether you have your first-time sex with your partner or with a new partner, it is important to have the “contraception conversation”. So far, male condoms have proven to be the most effective and widely used type of contraception.

With typical use, condoms are proven to be around 85% effective at preventing pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Infections. In order to encourage people to use condoms and involve in safe sex, International Condom Day has been observed on February 13^th of each year.

Despite the abundance of resources accessible today to learn about condoms, including many sexual educators in social media, there are still numerous myths around them and their proper usage. So here, we debunk some of the most common and widespread misconceptions about condoms.

Myth#1: Condoms kill the Mood

Nothing can kill your mood like unwanted pregnancies. Condoms have the potential to improve your sexual life. "People who use condoms rate their sexual experiences as just as pleasurable as people who don’t," says Dr. McDonald-Mosley. When both partners agree to use birth control, sexual activity is better. Instead of stressing over the potential for sexually transmitted infections or unexpected pregnancies without using condoms, you may just enjoy the company of your partner and the pleasure with the condoms on.

Myth#2: Doubling up on condom doubles your protection.

Using one condom every time you have sexual activity is one of the most effective methods for preventing pregnancy and Sexually Transmitted Diseases. Using two condoms is less safe as it creates more friction which can increase the risk of tearing or ripping off and can cause breakage.

Myth#3: Condoms aren’t reliable.

Condoms actually have a high success rate when used properly, which includes opening the condom with care, inserting it on an erect penis and using appropriate water-based lubrication. You should get to know about the pros and cons of a condom if you are using it for the first time, be it with your partner or with a new partner.

According to Planned Parenthood, condoms are 98% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy and STIs when used perfectly. But since people are not perfect, with typical use, it can be effective around 85%.

Myth#4: Condoms don’t protect against STDs.

According to Dr. McDonald-Mosley, "the best prevention against sexually transmitted diseases is using condoms appropriately and regularly." In terms of preventing the spread of HIV and other STDs, condoms have a 98-99% success rate when used properly.   According to the World Health Organization, "Sex with a condom is 10,000 times safer than without one when it comes to HIV." These are effective against STDs, including those like Herpes and HPV that are spread primarily through skin-to-skin contact. However, if condoms cover the infected skin, they are proven to be effective. So, protect your health simply by wrapping it up is a breeze.

Myth#5: Condoms are only for Penises

Still, people believe that condoms are available only for men. While these are less popular, there are internal condoms that goes inside of the vagina and can stay up to for about 8 hours, before vaginal sex. Those are completely different from dental dams, which goes outside of the vagina or vulva when having oral sex. Whereas Internal condoms are meant for penis-vaginal sex.

According to National Health Service, female condoms are 95% effective when used correctly.

Myth#6: You do not need a condom for oral sex

This might be one of the most interesting myths about condoms that one must have ever heard. A survey tells that 1 in 3 people had never used a condom for oral sex, which means that 2 in 3 people had used. So, it means that the norms are shifting and changing.

Oral sex can transmit STIs, which can be prevented by condoms. Something interesting to know is that there are flavored condoms that can make oral sex super safe and super fun.

Myth#7: The “Pull Out” method works well! No Need for Condoms!

There is a common misconception that people believe, they might not need a condom because they can just use the "pull-out" method. However, this method is not much dependable as condoms, since this is only best around 78% effective at preventing unwanted pregnancy. As there is no protection against STIs, mishaps may occur when using the pull-out method. Whereas with condoms, you get that protection.

Despite all the myths and misconceptions, condoms are the safest, effective and widely available method of contraception. They are the sole way for sexually active people to protect themselves from sexually transmitted diseases including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, and HIV, and they are also easily available over the counters without a doctor’s prescription. So, get yourself debunked from all the myths about condoms and protect your sexual health. You may easily buy condoms online and enjoy a safer sex with the condoms on!