The DKT Boss in Nigeria sent in this condom myths that would totally shock you. As the head of a brand that speaks out loud on issues on fertility and contraception, his message was quite captivating. Already the use of condoms is quite high among young adults who have a higher tendency at sexual exploration. Now everyone have an opinion on what they think condom is, how to use a condom or even on the medical implications of not using a condom.
So when Dimosthenis Sakellaridis, DKT Country Director, sent in his opinion on some trending myths on condoms, I thought he his input into the #conversation will add color and flavor to the subject matter. Note that the #myth is not about female condom but about male condom.
Enjoy his piece below:
When it comes to condoms, everyone I meet thinks they know everything there is to know on the matter. As the conversation progresses, it is obvious that the knowledge is incomplete and in fact, I discover that there are more than a few condom myths floating around.
Here are some condom myths:
1. MYTH: Condoms haven’t evolved over the past few decades
Most people think condoms haven’t changed over the past decades and since the time our parents might have been using them. Well, today’s condoms have evolved and been designed to enhance our senses and increase both partners pleasure. Take a look at the Fiesta premium condoms with the 12 variants.
There have been lots of innovations in condoms; the shape, the size, the use of lube, the thinness of latex, the ribbing, the dotting, not to talk about flavors and colors. There are condoms that prolong pleasure by delaying ejaculation (Fiesta Prolong). Even condoms that glow in the dark (Fiesta Glow)!! How appropriate…
Fiesta premium condoms come in 12 variants that help you explore all your senses and add more pleasure to an already pleasurable activity!!
We have all heard the same statistics; condoms, when used correctly, are 99% effective. The secret is in the “used correctly”. What I say to new users is; experiment on your own on fitting a condom before you have the pleasure of using it with your partner.
Condom brands like Kiss and Fiesta are 100% electronically tested, and of very high-quality standards from state of the art, manufacturing endorsed facilities. Condoms are the safest way to prevent unintended pregnancies, STDs and HIV.
3. MYTH: Sex with condoms isn’t as enjoyable as sex without condoms
Maybe this was the case 40 years ago – thick condoms, big smell. These preconceived notions make us believe that condoms don’t feel good or condoms aren’t fun.
The reality is that new technology condoms feel great, they are shaped and have added features for greater pleasure. Condoms are thinner than ever before, and it feels like skin to skin experience. And condoms not only have lower latex odor today but are enhanced with flavors. The Fiesta brand of condoms has exciting flavors such as chocolate and strawberry. Condoms are fun!
For me, most importantly, condoms give us the ability to be fully engaged in the act of sex and not worry or think about the “what ifs”.
4. MYTH: You can stop using condoms once you are exclusive
It is common practice to drop usage of condoms after you and your partner have been dating for a few months. I don’t think so, and I will explain why.
Couples tend to use the ‘withdrawal method’ or ‘pulling out’ but this is very unreliable at preventing pregnancy and contributes massively to the high number of unplanned pregnancies and high abortion rates in Nigeria. Of course, this method does not protect you from STDs and HIV.
5. MYTH: Condoms are expensive and hard to get
Going by popular culture, couples are not always completely honest about their sexual fidelity. Until we get to that point, (and I strongly doubt that we ever will), every couple should use condoms in every occasion. That may have been the case long time ago. These days, condoms are widely available and sold in supermarkets, pharmacies, medicine stores, chemists, table tops, in hotels and even at traffic, and outside beer parlors and nightclubs – the mallams that sell chewing gum, candies, cigarettes, also sell condoms.
There are good quality condoms such as Kiss condoms for as low as #50 for a pack of 3 condoms. Other more premium brands like Fiesta condoms go for #150 or more for a pack of 3 condoms, so there is no excuse. Even if you don’t have one in your pocket or in your purse, there is always a place selling condom within reach.
6. MYTH: Condoms should only be the guys responsibility
There is this notion that because someone with a penis wears a condom, he’s also to be in charge. How more wrong can this be? Who will end up getting pregnant in case of ‘’accident” after all.The guy?
It is good that we are seeing changes here, and women who want to take ownership of their body, pleasure, and health. Women are informed and make the right choices and take charge of their sexual reproductive health with the use of condoms and other contraceptives.