Condom skills
Many of those interested in using fertility awareness as contraception are already skilled condom users. They just don't want to use them all the time.
Others won't have used condoms for a while (or ever). If that's you, you need condoms skills.
You don't want to be a typical user, which means they're only 82% effective.
You want to be a correct user, which means they're 98% effective, or more if you combine your skills with fertility awareness. Here's some tips:
Practice
“I can’t come in a condom” sounds like a lame excuse, but it can happen. So practice, masturbation is still sex.
Avoid relying on condoms as contraception until you are confident that the condom stays on and you know what you’re doing.
Get the right size
If they don't fit, they won't feel as good and they're more likely to split or fall off. This infographic should help.
Find your brand
Work out what's right for you. There's loads of brands out there. Skyn and MyBliss get good reviews and others are available. Some suppliers offer sample packs.
If you're under 25 and live in the UK (not Northern Ireland) you should be able to get free condoms and emergency contraception with the c card scheme. Google "c card” to find your local supplier.
Hold on
After you've come, hold on to the base of the condom and keep holding on while you withdraw.
If you don't, it's more likely to fall off, which means handling panicked extraction from vagina, and all that follows, including emergency contraception.
Lube correctly
Some people find lube helpful. If that's you, stick to the water or silicone-based kind. Oil can weaken condoms and mean they break, so keep them away from body lotion, suntan lotion and lipstick.
Keep a "just in case" supply of emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is an important option if a condom fails.
Buy a "just in case" supply, or get it for free from your GP, sexual health clinic or NHS walk-in centre. Just tell them you're using condoms as contraception.
After taking emergency contraception, you need to assume you're fertile until you've had both a period and a confirmed shift from lower to higher temps (see green days).
Brag a little
We all know about "stealthing". We don't hear enough about men with condom skills. I think decent condom skills win you some bragging rights.
In her bestselling book "Ejaculate Responsibly: The Conversation We Need to Have With Men About Contraception" Gabrielle Blair says: "Perhaps the problems isn't condoms but the way we don't talk about condoms - if a man believes sex without condoms is a conquest he's not likely to talk about the benefits of condoms with other men he knows."
I'm not a man. That might not be a conversation you'd like to have with your friends, but at least stand a little taller. You're doing the right thing.
Others won't have used condoms for a while (or ever). If that's you, you need condoms skills.
You don't want to be a typical user, which means they're only 82% effective.
You want to be a correct user, which means they're 98% effective, or more if you combine your skills with fertility awareness. Here's some tips:
Practice
“I can’t come in a condom” sounds like a lame excuse, but it can happen. So practice, masturbation is still sex.
Avoid relying on condoms as contraception until you are confident that the condom stays on and you know what you’re doing.
Get the right size
If they don't fit, they won't feel as good and they're more likely to split or fall off. This infographic should help.
Find your brand
Work out what's right for you. There's loads of brands out there. Skyn and MyBliss get good reviews and others are available. Some suppliers offer sample packs.
If you're under 25 and live in the UK (not Northern Ireland) you should be able to get free condoms and emergency contraception with the c card scheme. Google "c card” to find your local supplier.
Hold on
After you've come, hold on to the base of the condom and keep holding on while you withdraw.
If you don't, it's more likely to fall off, which means handling panicked extraction from vagina, and all that follows, including emergency contraception.
Lube correctly
Some people find lube helpful. If that's you, stick to the water or silicone-based kind. Oil can weaken condoms and mean they break, so keep them away from body lotion, suntan lotion and lipstick.
Keep a "just in case" supply of emergency contraception
Emergency contraception is an important option if a condom fails.
Buy a "just in case" supply, or get it for free from your GP, sexual health clinic or NHS walk-in centre. Just tell them you're using condoms as contraception.
After taking emergency contraception, you need to assume you're fertile until you've had both a period and a confirmed shift from lower to higher temps (see green days).
Brag a little
We all know about "stealthing". We don't hear enough about men with condom skills. I think decent condom skills win you some bragging rights.
In her bestselling book "Ejaculate Responsibly: The Conversation We Need to Have With Men About Contraception" Gabrielle Blair says: "Perhaps the problems isn't condoms but the way we don't talk about condoms - if a man believes sex without condoms is a conquest he's not likely to talk about the benefits of condoms with other men he knows."
I'm not a man. That might not be a conversation you'd like to have with your friends, but at least stand a little taller. You're doing the right thing.