Is It Possible To Get Pregnant While Using Condoms

Y'all're about six beers deep and finally—later several overpriced dinners and cocktails—you lot've convinced a super hot chick that you're the all-around crawly guy she initially hoped you'd exist. Score! So equally you caput back to your place and things get heated, there'due south no shot you're killing the mood with a condom…right?

Bad idea. Terrible idea. In fact, that logic is so flawed we're going to go ahead and counter it with the ultimate mood killer: In the kickoff year of a infant's life—between doctor visits, clothing, food, and everything else, a parent tin wait to spend more than $10,000. (Yeah. Let that sink in.)

Then unless you're ready to trade beer for infant formula, read this—our expansive guide to making certain you don't knock her up. Because even if you play it safe most of the time, you're probably screwing up in means you didn't even know were possible. And similar your onetime human always said, it only takes 1 error.

1. The mistake: Y'all retrieve having sex activity standing upwards prevents pregnancy

The potential damage: We couldn't believe that nearly ane in 5 of men buy into this, but co-ordinate to a 2010 report, it'southward true. Yikes. "The police of gravity is non a contraceptive," says Debby Herbenick, Ph.D., the co-manager of The Center for Sexual Wellness Promotion. That's a seemingly obvious assessment, right? Use it.

two. The error: You blindly grab some lube

The potential damage: Ever, always, always bank check what your lube is made out of—otherwise, that condom might do jack. "Oil-based or petroleum-based lubricants like mineral oil or massage lotion tin destroy condoms, making them more likely to break," says sexologist and sexuality educator Megan Andelloux.

3. The mistake: Your easily are sweaty, and then one of you tears the condom package with your teeth

The potential harm: Using items similar knives or scissors—even your teeth—to open a wrapper will make it very piece of cake to mistakenly poke a hole in the rubber. (In ane report, dudes who did and so were about three times more than likely to encounter breakage.) Recall near it—do you really desire abrupt objects coming anywhere near the super-thin barrier that stands between you and fatherhood?

4. The error: You put the condom on—but don't leave whatsoever space in the tip

The potential impairment: If you covered up a faucet with your hand and turned it on full nail, where would the water go? See what we're sayin'? Information technology'south not rocket science. So leave approximately half an inch at the superlative of the condom to properly "catch" your sperm, says Herbenick; without this jerk room, y'all're risking breakage.

5. The error: You don't employ a condom considering she's on the pill

The potential damage: If you're in a relationship, you should trust that she's truthful to her give-and-take. But for a ane-night stand? Information technology's non worth the risk. According to the Centers for Affliction Command and Prevention, birth control pills are between 91-99% constructive in preventing pregnancy—but the pill plus a condom gives y'all close-to-perfect protection. Your call.

half-dozen. The mistake: Yous were wasted and couldn't observe a safe…so yous didn't use ane

The potential harm: Sure, information technology's an understandably bad-mannered state of affairs if you're about to "go it in" and can't effigy out where the hell you put the condom. Only is it more than bad-mannered than becoming a daddy if y'all're non ready for a kid? Get off your donkey and search a lilliputian harder, or walk to the store and pick up an actress pack. Co-ordinate to the World Wellness Organization, with perfect apply, condoms forestall pregnancy 98% of the time. That's pretty damn good.

vii. The fault: You've had the same safe hanging out in your wallet forever

The potential damage: Using a rubber that hasn't been properly stored might get yous into a situation worse than the sexual slump you just endured. According to Herbenick, extreme heat or cold can damage the latex used in condoms, and so the all-time spot for stashing them is a cool, dark, dry place—like in your nightstand—or a pocket-sized, difficult case (recall: one made for business cards). And if y'all're really trying to be a douche about the whole affair, there's alwasy this $200 Swarovski crystal condom compact.

8. The error: You're not putting lube within the condom

The potential damage: Those marathon sexual practice sessions you've been having (nice piece of work, bro) are jump to wear down the condom, making it dry out and prone to ripping. "Always apply lube inside the rubber. It prevents breakage and, plus, it really feels so much ameliorate for the safe-wearer," says Andelloux. Remember: Bank check the type of lube earlier you utilise, and only utilise a drop—also much can make the prophylactic sideslip off.

9. The mistake: You have the condom off earlier the sex is over

The potential harm: If yous're patting yourself on the back for using a condom in the first place…don't. Taking a rubber off too early into sex "can straight compromise the efficacy of safe utilise," according to a recent report from The Journal of Sexual Wellness. Merely y'all know that, silly! So if yous play by the rules and keep that sucker on the entire time, it'southward 98% certain (see no. half-dozen) you lot won't have to worry almost condign a daddy. (Just be sure you hold the base of the condom during withdrawal to make sure it doesn't slip off or leak you-know-what.)

10. The fault: Y'all don't demand condoms—you're a "pull-out pro"

The potential damage: You might retrieve y'all have impeccable timing, merely even if you practise pull out in time, information technology's still possible to get her pregnant. How? According to Planned Parenthood, your pre-ejaculate tin can pick up enough sperm left in your pipes from your last ejaculation to fertilize an egg. Whoa. Now, urinating between ejaculations might aid, simply every bit they say, information technology's always safer to wrap it before you tap it—and the risk-taking for your non-sexual adventures.