As tweeted about this evening - looking after your sexual health...
Condom confidence
If you don't know your partner's sexual history you've got to have the confidence to use condoms. Everyone should have what I coined 'condom confidence'.
That is the knowledge and ability to insist on using condoms. And using them in a confident way. Here are my top Condom confidence tips –
ü As a man try a range when you're on your own and find which condom fits you well. It should be snug enough not to leak but not so tight that it detracts from your pleasure.
ü You can experiment with them during masturbation. This will raise your confidence to put a condom on when with a lover. If you don't practise you may end up fumbling with a condom and then feeling embarrassed and inexperienced. There's nothing wrong with inexperience (as we all start out inexperienced!) but you can kill the moment if you fumble for too long.
ü As a woman, in your own time practise putting condoms on, e.g., carrot sticks or your vibrator. Again this will help you to help your lover to slip one on at the appropriate moment.
ü You can make a condom more comfortable for him by putting a drop of condom-friendly lubricant in the tip before he slips it on.
ü Don't forget your nails and teeth can pierce condoms so handle them with care.
ü Practice how you approach using a condom with a new lover. Don't buy any excuses for not using them. Men in particular try things like, "don't you think I look clean?" The cleanest "looking" person in the world can still have an STI!
ü Be ready with a confident reply along the lines above, "I care about both of us and so insist that you wear a condom."
ü There shouldn't be an argument in this day and age when STIs are rife. If there is an argument about it, they aren't a lover for you.
ü Keep your condoms with you at all times - it doesn't make you a slut it makes you smart.
ü Finally read the instructions on any new brand of Condoms you buy. For example, some are more durable and better for practices like anal sex. You need to check their sell-by dates, etc.