Proper Penis Protection: Best Practices for Condom Use

Penis protection is a big deal for all guys, and rightfully so – no one wants to put their favorite appendage at risk or do anything to impede penis health! There are numerous steps one can take to help ensure penis protection, but, especially for men who are sexually active with more than one partner, the most important is consistent and proper use of a condom. But what are some good tips for proper condom use that men should remember?

Read on to find out.

Tips

- Don’t recycle. This may seem like common sense, but it’s surprising how many men don’t know this. A condom is meant to be used once and then disposed of. Even if a guy washes and sterilizes the condom after use, there may still be dregs of semen left inside. Also, after one use, the condom may be stretched out and no longer fit snugly, or is may develop tiny tears which would affect its effectiveness.

- Check it out before using it. Condoms come with expiration dates, and for safety sake, don’t use an expired one if at all possible. (If an out-of-date condom is all a guy has, and he is determined to have sex, do use the expired condom – but be aware that it may not offer the desired protection and there may be consequences.) Also, if the package containing the condom is torn, use a different one.

- Store it in a cool, dry place. Moisture and hot sunlight can cause damage to a condom.

- Put it on correctly. The penis needs to be erect before the condom is applied. Intact men should pull back the foreskin before applying. Leave a little room at the end of the condom, and pinch the end closed. Then with the free hand, a man should unroll the penis along the length of the shaft until it reaches the base. And be sure the fit is snug without being overly constricting. It pays for a man to try out a condom brand and size on his own in order to make sure he has a proper fit, so that he doesn’t have to worry about that when preparing to have sex.

- Use the right lubricant. Water-based lubricants are generally safe for latex condoms; oil-based ones are not, as they may bring about breakage.

- Don’t double-bag. Contrary to popular belief, using two condoms at once is not double the protection. Instead, the condoms are likely to rub against each other, creating enough friction that one or both may tear.

- Switch if needed. In the event that a man is gifted in terms of being able to carry on with penetrative sex for an unusually long time, he may need to stop and switch to a new condom before he is through. Generally, a condom is considered safe for about 30 minutes of use. After that, friction becomes a problem and may result in tearing. So if a guy tends to go longer than a half hour, he should carry a back-up (or two). Also, the same condom should not be used for both anal and vaginal penetration (no matter what the length of time in each position).

- Withdraw with care. After ejaculating, carefully withdraw. When accessible, grip the condom by the base and hold onto it until withdrawn. Dispose of the condom in a wastebasket (not the toilet).

Proper use of a condom can help improve penis protection where sexually-transmitted infections are concerned. Penis protection from other issues can be enhanced through the use of a first class penis health creme (health professionals recommend Man 1 Man Oil, which is clinically proven mild and safe for skin). Since penis sensation is paramount for sexual satisfaction, choose a crème that helps maintain that sensation, i.e., one with the neuroprotective ingredient L-carnitine. A crème with vitamin A is also desired, as this vitamin has anti-bacterial properties which protect the penis and which also fight against persistent penis odor.