CONTRACEPTIVES

When I was younger, I did not have much of a choice when it came to learning about sex and contraceptives. I was inquisitive- like you! But when I got to know about Marie Saathi, she was like a best friend I never had. She told me everything that I wanted to know about- that too without being judged! Getting to know all about my body, contraceptives, getting a girlfriend, the to-dos and almost everything else regarding all the inquisitiveness that I had was really helpful.  Earlier, I thought that the idea of contraceptives is a taboo to speak about- well, maybe elsewhere- not here. To give you a brief about it, for anyone who is sexually active, contraceptives are a must. Not just to prevent pregnancy but also protect from various Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs).

Condoms

Condoms! You have heard about them, right? Don’t be shy- it is always good to gather as much information as you can. If not now, you will definitely need the things that you read here today at one point of life. So, getting back to condoms- do you know how it works? Slipping the condom that is made from very thin rubber called latex it on a penis that is erect stops a man’s semen from entering his partner’s body. Among the various contraceptives, condoms are the only one that protect against both pregnancy and STIs.

And the best thing about condoms is that it is hassle free and easily available in the market. I make sure that I am carrying one at all times and they are small enough to fit in my wallet. I wouldn’t mind if my girlfriend carries one too! We need to be safe at all times!

Tips on using condoms

Condom before contact: Always put on the condom before there’s any contact between the penis and the vagina, mouth or anus.

New sex, new condom: Use a new condom every time you have sex.

The 30-minute condom rule: If you’re having a long sex session, change condoms after 30 minutes. Friction can weaken the condom, making it more likely to break or fail.

One condom at a time: Never use two condoms together, whether that’s two male condoms or a female and a male condom. They will rub against each other, and this friction can weaken them and make them more likely to break or fail.

Keep condoms cool: Heat can damage condoms, so store them somewhere cool and dry.

Condoms don’t last forever: Check the expiry date on the packaging, as condoms don’t last forever and may be past the point at which they work.

Don’t use lotion or oils with condoms: Don’t use body lotions, moisturizer, massage oil, body oil, lipstick or any other oil-based product (such as petroleum jelly, or Vaseline) with condoms. This is because they can weaken the condom, making it less effective. Use plenty of water-based lubricant, such as K-Y Jelly, especially for anal sex.

Don’t flush condoms down the toilet: Wrap used condoms in a tissue or piece of paper and throw them away in a dustbin. Don’t flush used condoms down the toilet- it will clog the sewer system.

Stay prepared: If your condom breaks during sex, do not worry- you can pop an emergency contraceptive pill within 72 hours of intercourse.

Marie Stopes Nepal endorses its own brand of male condom – JODI

Vasectomy

Vasectomy is the common name for male sterilization which is a permanent method of family planning. It is highly trusted and chosen by millions of men worldwide who do not wish to have children permanently.

It is a simple procedure where a trained service provider seals the sperm-carrying tubes to prevent sperm from entering the fluid which a man ejaculates. The process lasts about 10 minutes and is considered one of the most effective methods of contraception that exists. The testicles continue to produce sperm as normal but the sperm cannot enter the tubes and is simply absorbed into the body. Men will ejaculate after the procedure but that will not contain sperm.

If you are hungry for more information, you can always call Meri Saathi, she is my best friend and is really good with secrets. You can call her and ask her all that you want to know about contraceptives on 16600119756 for NTC users and 9801119756 for Ncell users. They are available every Sunday-Friday from 7:00 AM-7:00 PM