Wearing two condoms more effective in preventing an unwanted pregnancy? (Pavitra Sampath answers)

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While wearing a condom is definitely a good way to prevent an unwanted pregnancy and also STDs, wearing two will only make matters worse. For one, wearing two condoms will not increase protection (despite what you think) and can be extremely uncomfortable. Why wearing two condoms is not ideal?

When you are having sex, the amount of friction that is created between the two condoms can cause them to tear, and therefore, cause your ejaculated semen to leak out — which may lead to an unwanted pregnancy.

Apart from that, wearing two condoms can also be extremely uncomfortable and make the entire process quite lack-lustre. Not only could it end up being too tight around your penis — causing you to lose your erection, but it will also dramatically reduce the sensation you feel when you are having sex — making it no fun at all. Moreover, it will also be uncomfortable for your girlfriend as she won’t feel anything but latex when you’ll have penetrative sex.

How should you avoid an unwanted pregnancy?

If you are really scared and want to be sure that you have avoided a pregnancy, there are a few things you can do.

One is to wear only one condom of good quality and rely on the protection it provides. Apart from that, you could ask your girlfriend to visit her gynaecologist and start taking oral contraceptive pills. But remember she will have to be on the pill for at least seven days before you have unprotected sex. You may also like to read — can I have unprotected sex right after having an oral contraceptive pill?

You could also try the pull out method, where you have sex with a condom on and pull out just before you are about to ejaculate. This way you will ejaculate outside her body leaving no chance for a pregnancy to occur.

Finally, you could try having sex four days before her periods, during her periods or four days after her periods end to help lower your chances of a pregnancy. Known as the safe period, this is not a fool-proof method and has been known to fail. Even so, it is always better to have knowledge. You may also like to read — What is the safe period to have sex?

Here’s what you should remember

One of the most essential points you should remember is that your pre-cum (the fluid that comes out of your penis when you are aroused) may also contain sperm. So make sure you don’t try to insert your penis in her vagina without a condom on as this could lead to pregnancy too, although the chances are quite bleak.