Hi Ms. Rica,
I am 19 years old and am starting to engage in intercourse. Of course, I want to be safe so I always have condoms in my wallet. But my friends have told me that I should not keep them in my wallet as it can break. Totoo po ba ito or tinatakot lang nila ako?
Thank you,
I
Hi I,
First off, I would like to commend you for thinking about safety. In our country, sad to say, more young adults are not keen on using protection whenever they engage in the deed. So, good job, I hope you continue practicing safe relations as you grow older!
Now, to answer your question: Well, your friends are right! It is true. A condom stored inside a wallet is prone to damage because of lots of action (even when the owner is not getting any). As you get your wallet many times throughout the day, the constant bending and friction from moving, sitting, and even your body heat can cause the condom to break. Also exposure to extreme heat when you’re outside and extreme cold, when you’re in the office, can make the condom weak and brittle. Mas nakakatakot iyon di ba?
Kahit na mukhang bago pa rinung packaging and the condom itself pagbukas mo, it can still have small microscopic holes and tears na pwedeng hindi mo mapansin o makita. Having these holes can make the condom less effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies and transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). Yikes.
So for optimum safety, you need to store your protection in a cool, dark place like your cabinet, or your bedside table. Pero if you need to have protection on-the-go, (coz, you’ll never know, right?) you may want to buy a hard case that you can keep in your bag or your pocket in case of emergency!
Another thing to consider is to regularly replace it when you’re not using them. Check the expiration dates, and throw them out when it’s past the best before date. Yes, condoms have expiration dates too! And even when it’s still within that date, if it feels sticky when you open it, don’t use it anymore. When in doubt, better to get a new one.
As they say, it’s better to be always safe than sorry. Good luck! #takeitfromthesexymind
* * *
If you have questions on love and sex that you want me to answer, you may message me atwww.facebook.com/TheSexyMind or DM me on Instagram: _ricacruz.
Biography: Rica Cruz is a Licensed Psychologist and Sex Therapist. She comes out as the Resident Sex Therapist on Boys’ Night Out every Thursday night on Magic 89.9. (Rica Cruz)