A condom is a thin piece of latex that is worn on the penis during sexual intercourse. While latex is the most common material used, there are other materials available as well, such as lamb skin (please note that lambskin condoms do NOT protect against STDs!).

It is extremely important to regularly get yourself tested for STDs, even if you always use condoms. It is recommended to get tested once between every sexual partner. Many people think that because they don't have any symptoms of an STD, they must not have one. However, this is a dangerous misconception! There are many STDs that do not show symptoms for years, or may never show symptoms.

Many people run into the issue of not discussing their STD status with their partner before sex, for fear of "ruining the mood" or insinuating that they think that person has an STD. So, many people choose to just hope their partner is clean and decide to have sex.

However, it is not uncommon for people to hide their status from their partner or simply not realize they have an STD. So, make sure to ask your partner their status before any sexual activity. It is not unreasonable to ask your partner to show you proof, as well. In this day and age, there is no excuse for not getting tested or not being able to show proof (you can get a digital or physical copy of your results to show your partner). If your partner is uncomfortable discussing their status with you, they're not someone you should be having sex with.

There are technically 2 types of condoms: external ("male") condoms, and internal ("female") condoms. However, external condoms are the most common type of condom, and the only kind available in South Korea. It is possible to buy internal condoms online, but we will only be discussing external condoms here.

Before Sex

Make sure to open the condom wrapper carefully so that the condom does not tear in the process (it is best to open on one of the sides, not right in the middle of where the condom is). Place the condom on the tip of an erect penis and roll the condom down the entire shaft of the penis, while pinching the "hat" tip of the condom. It is important that you put the condom on the right side out. It should be that the rim of the condom is on the outside so that you can easily roll the condom down the shaft of the penis. If it is difficult to unroll, it is probably inside-out. You should pinch the tip of the condom in order to ensure there will be space for semen to collect. If there is too much air in the condom, the semen can be pushed outside of the condom during sex.

You can use a condom with spermicide for extra protection. You can insert the suppository spermicide directly into the vagina 30 minutes before intercourse. Check out the section on Spermicide in Non-hormonal Contraceptives to find out more.

During Sex

It is not possible to reuse condoms. Always use a new condom, even when switching between sex acts (for example, if in one session you have oral sex and then vaginal sex, you should use 2 different condoms for each type of intercourse). It is especially important to change condoms when going from anal sex to vaginal sex, as the passing of bacteria from the anus to the vagina can cause infection in the vagina.

After Sex

While your penis is still erect and inside of your partner, hold onto the rim of the condom as you carefully pull out. You must hold the condom in place and do this while still erect to keep any semen from leaving the condom and possibly coming into contact with your partner's genitals. Then, tie the condom shut and throw it away into the trash (never into the toilet!).

General Tips

Never use more than one condom at a time. Some people think that using 2 condoms would be like using twice the protection. In reality, using multiple condoms actually decreases their effectiveness. This is because the friction between multiple condoms can cause tearing.

It is important to know how to properly store your condoms. Condoms should be stored away from sunlight, in a temperature-controlled environment like a drawer or cabinet. However, do not keep condoms in your bathroom or any other place that can get humid. Make sure to not keep condoms in your wallet, pocket, car, etc. Many people keep condoms in these places because they want easy access to protection. Unfortunately, keeping a condom in places like these for longer than a number of hours can render the condom ineffective at preventing pregnancy or the spread of STDs. The best thing to do is to keep condoms somewhere safe at home. If you expect to have sex away from your home, buy new condoms right before you have sex.

Make sure to always check the expiration date of any condom before you use it, regardless of how recently you bought it. Also, ensure that the packaging is intact by looking for any holes or rips; a sealed wrapper should have air in it, which you can check by gently squeezing it. You should also check for tears in the condom itself. Tears in condoms can be caused by a number of different things, like: too much exposure to sunlight, heat, or oil-based oils/lotions/lubricants. If you want to use lubrication with a condom, only use water or silicone-based products.

If you notice a tear in the condom during sex, do not panic, but immediately stop having sex. There are many kinds of emergency contraceptives that you can take after this, which you can find at the end of this article. Emergency contraceptives are not a form of abortion, but work to prevent impregnation from occurring. At the time of writing this piece, abortion will be legalized in South Korea in 2020, and is legal in many countries nearby.

If you do not know the STD status of your partner, immediately schedule an appointment to get tested and do not have unprotected sex before knowing your current status. A tear in a condom can lead to unwanted pregnancy as well as the spread of STDs. It is always best to address the situation immediately, as waiting can only worsen your own anxiety as well as the raise chances of pregnancy and leave possible STDs untreated.

You can use condoms anytime you have sex. When you are not pregnant, condoms protect against pregnancy and STDs. When you are pregnant, condoms protect against STDs.

Condoms are affordable, common, and easy to find in convenience stores, pharmacies, online, etc. There are so many different brands and types of condoms, so you are bound to find one that works well for you.

Condoms are not biodegradable, and so they are not eco-friendly. However, some people argue that in the long-run condoms are good for the environment because they protect against pregnancy, and humans are the number 1 threat to the environment.

Another potential drawback is that some men report that their sensitivity during sexual intercourse is lessened by the barrier that a condom provides. This is a small price to pay for all the benefits that condoms provide.

Fast Facts: Things that can cause a condom to become ineffective

• 대한민국 약학정보원 (http://www.health.kr)
• 질병관리본부 결핵·에이즈관리과(2018), 성매개감염병 관리지침
• https://www.plannedparenthood.org/learn/birth-control
• https://www.contraceptioninfo.eu/contraceptives
• https://www.who.int/en/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/family-planning-contraception