Condom mishaps common among young men

[Doondoo]

Many young men could use a bit more instruction on proper condom use, according to lead author of a new study that found nearly one in three experienced recent condom breakage.

"We give condoms away all the time, and unfortunately that's often all that we do," Dr RA Crosby of the University of Kentucky in Lexington, told Reuters Health. "I think it's important to take men beyond consistent use when we make attempts to intervene, and promote the correct use as well."

Crosby and his colleagues interviewed 278 men between the ages of 18 and 35-years-old attending a public sexually transmitted infection clinic to understand how frequently and why condom breakage occurs. All of the men reported using a condom during intercourse at least three times in the previous three months.

Thirty-one percent reported at least one recent instance of condom breakage. Men who previously had a sexually transmitted infection were twice as likely to report condom breakage, while men who reported problems with condom slippage were nearly three times as likely to have problems with condom breakage. Those who said they didn't feel confident with their ability to use condoms were also more likely to have experienced condom breakage.

Other risk factors were allowing condoms to contact a sharp object, having problems with the "fit and feel" of condoms, not squeezing air from the condom's receptacle tip. Each of these three factors increased the risk of condom breakage by about two-fold.

The findings show that identifying men who need more information on how to use a condom could be as simple as asking them if they have problems with condom breakage or slippage, have had an sexually transmitted infection in the past, or don't feel confident about using condoms, Crosby noted. Men should also be instructed to avoid letting teeth, nails or other sharp objects to come in contact with a condom, he added, and should never use scissors to open a package.


http://www.mg.co.za/articlepage.aspx?area=/breaking_news/breaking_news__international_news/&articleid=300867

[enlightenment]

1. At my university, they make the women learn how to use

condoms . . . if female students want any sort of GYN services (birth control/paps/etc) they have to sit through an hour long session on safe sex practices . . . watching a video about various STI's and then "learning" how to put a condom on an erect penis (using a wooden "dildo" mounted on a board).

There are SO many things wrong with the scenario. Not because I don't think they should know these things, but because the health center will refuse care if they don't go through the "training" AND because the male students are NOT required to go through it. If they want a condom, they can ask at the desk. No one asks them if they know how to use it, if they know whether or not it will fit, or if they understand the risks involved. Just a wink and a nod.

They try to make it "fair" by forcing ALL female students who want the services to go through the training . . . age and experience don't matter. I'm a mature (very) student - the girl who "taught" the session I took was younger than my son. She was SO impressed that I aced the test! :eyes:

Yes, women should have this information and they should get over the embarrassment of talking about it. So should men - but there still seems to be a cultural disconnect.

[Gormy Cuss]

4. Great. So it's still only the responsibility of women.

I think it's not a bad idea to train young women on condom use, but if they are required to sit through a safe sex education session then all the men on campus should be too. After all, it's the best device for males to use and it IS their responsibility to know how to use a condom properly.

One would think women have enough responsibility as it is without having to hold the ..er, hand.. of the men they choose to have as partners.

[donsu]

2. a friend of my mother made her husband wear 2 condoms

in case one broke or came off. they had 2 children and she didn't want any more.

it is up to women to take charge of condoms if they don't want a pregnancy or STD.

(not saying men have to wear 2 but care has to be taken, even on the withdrawal after sex)

[bicentennial_baby]

3. Wearing 2 increases the risk of breakage...

Friction people, friction...

[intaglio]

5. I believe that they have an expert on condom breakage on call

Goes by the initials GHWB, apparently he and his wife were going to wait before they had their first child then 61 years ago the condom broke

[xchrom]

6. i always wonder about sharp objects and condoms --

i mean i'm a fan of get your freak on -- but sharp objects?!?
that's not the first time that's been reported -- that particular one.

even i have my limits.

[Nikia]

7. Sometimes long fingernails are sharp objects

My nails aren't naturually strong so they usually aren't long. in the cases that they do get long, I am always hurtimg myself or my husband unintentionally.