Safe Sex 101: Wrap It Up! The proper way to use male condoms

For the second part of my Safe Sex series, I'll be covering what most students on campus use lubricated, latex, sometimes colored or flavored male condoms. Condoms are normally found in the latex variety and can be found dry, lubricated or with spermicide. To dispel any misconceptions, there are no particular brands that are better than others. A condom made in Thailand is just as good as condoms made in the U.S. Some condoms can also be found with lubricant on both sides, flavored, ribbed, colored and even glow in the dark. Who says safe sex can't be fun?

Like any birth control method, condoms are not 100 percent effective. To use condoms to their full potential, they have to be used properly. Here are the step by step instructions on proper condom use:

First, check the packaging. Every condom package has a month and year expiration on it. If the condom is expired, do not use it! Also, when opening the condom do not use your teeth, it could tear the condom. Calmly open it with your hands.

Second, use only once. Planned Parenthood's recommendation is to use one condom for each erection.

Third, make sure you're rolling it the right way. Once the condom has touched the tip, pre-ejaculation could get on the condom which can spread STDs or get somebody pregnant. If the condoms on and you realize it's inside out take it off, throw it away, and get a new condom.

Fourth, squeeze the tip. There needs to be some space, about half an inch, at the top of the condom for ejaculate to pool, which is why condoms have tips. Squeeze the tip so that air does not get into the condom; air in the condom could cause it to break.

Fifth, roll all the way down the penis.

Sixth, use the right size. Many men assume they have to have a King XL condom in order to have sex. Actually, a regular size condom is pretty durable and can hold many peni. Gentlemen, get an idea of what size you need, not what size you want.

Seventh, throw it away. When you're done having sex, pull out before the penis softens. Roll the condom off and make sure no semen drips out. Throw the condom away in the trash, do not flush it. Wash up to prevent any accidents.

Benefits to condoms are relief from premature ejaculation problems, lightweight, disposable, no prescription needed, can help erections last longer, can be used with all other birth control methods except the female condom and can help prevent pregnancy. Latex condoms can also lessen the risk of contracting HIV, chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, genital herpes, HPV and syphilis. Marshall University offers free condoms on campus. Student Health Education Programs, Women's Center, and Lesbian-Gay-Bisexual-Transgender Outreach are three major carriers of free male condoms. Cabell Huntington Health Department also has free condoms they give out at their office on Seventh Avenue. Most residence halls on campus have condoms available for a dollar in their lobby bathrooms.

If my readers have any questions, concerns or comments, please e-mail me at suzysextalk@gmail.com. Stay tuned for Part 3 of Safe Sex 101, "Dental Dams, Diaphragms, and IUD's – Oh My!"