Sixty-eight percent of millennials say they are more likely to have sex on Valentine’s Day than any other day of the year according to the 2017 Millennial Sex Survey by SKYN Condoms.
Not-so-coincidentally, February 14 is also National Condom Day in the United States. This makes sense, especially considering the 2012 statistic from LifeStyles Condoms that found, on average, 87 condoms are used every second during Valentine’s Day. If you do the math that means around 7,516,800 condoms are used on Valentine’s Day alone.
Only 39 percent of American high school students learn how to use a condom in health class. This number is low, but unfortunately it’s also not surprising. Adequate sex education is severely lacking in the United States. Not only do a large number of states require schools to stress abstinence, but many states don’t mandate lessons about contraception at all.
National Condom Awareness Day is celebrated on February 14 to raise awareness about practicing safe sex. The day promotes conversations about using condoms during sexual activities, the correct usage of condoms, and reducing the shame attached to buying and carrying condoms. This day is about celebrating healthy relationships, highlighting the importance of safe and consensual sex, and promoting positive sexual health, looking after our sexual health, and preventing unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.
As we approach Valentine’s Day 2023 we dedicate the day or night or both to practicing safe sex, getting tested, and having fun.
Here are some facts to know about condoms.
- The earliest known illustration of a man using a condom is a cave-wall painting in France said to be between 12,000 and 15,000 years old. The caves in question are known as Grotte des Combarelles. Interestingly, it was actually a female rather than a male condom.
2. Expiration date is important, you may have noticed the expiration date on your condoms, but it’s probably not at the forefront of your mind when you’re hooking up. Maybe you also know that keeping a condom in your pocket or wallet isn’t the best idea. This is because unused condoms lose integrity over time. Extreme temperatures (hot and cold) and excess rubbing or bending can cause condoms to deteriorate faster In case a condom seems dry, sticky, or stiff when it comes out of the package, throw it away and use a newer one; helpful tip to prevent this: store unused condoms in a cool, dry place.
- There are condoms for both men and women. A male condom is worn on the penis and is usually made of latex. A female condom is inserted into the vagina and has a flexible ring at either end; the closed end goes into the vagina while the other end is open allowing the ring to sit outside the opening of the vagina
- NEVER EVER reuse condoms! Use a new condom for each time you have sex! Not only is it terrible hygiene but it increases the risk of breakage.
- Do NOT double up!
Using two condoms at the same time creates friction and makes it much more likely that the condom will break. One is enough, kiddos! - Avoid oil-based lubricants
Items like mineral oil, petroleum jelly, olive oil, or baby oil can break down the rubber increasing the risk for breakage. - DoNOT use latex condoms if you’re allergic to latex!
Be sure to buy condoms that are made out of a different material! Don’t want any slip-ups! - Wear a condom always even if you’re not having penetrative intercourse, while there’s no risk of pregnancy, there is still a chance of contracting STDs if you don’t wear a condom. Especially if you’re engaging in oral sex.
- Check your size, there are different condom sizes for a reason. Check out a few different options at the drugstore to determine which size is best for you. If a condom is too small, it can create friction and break. If it’s too big, it can slip off.
- It is important to put the condom on correctly. Carefully open and remove the condom from its wrapper. Place condom on the head of the erect, hard penis. If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first. Pinch air out of the tip of the condom. Unroll condom all the way down the penis. After sex but before pulling out, hold the condom at the base. Then pull out, while holding the condom in place. Carefully remove the condom and throw it in the trash.
Now, that you know more about condoms, there is no excuse for having unsafe sex!
