[net.women] Defective Condoms

mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) (01/13/86)

*** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***

I have had very limited experience in using condoms.  It just worked out that
the women that I have slept with have, for the most part, had other methods in
use.

Last night, I was making love to a new girlfriend whom I had not slept with
previously.  We were using a condom.  After a while, she seemed to get more
excited and there was an increase in lubrication.  When I withdrew, I found
I was wearing the condom like a ring.  In retrospect, the increase in lubri-
cation was the condom breaking and our making actual contact.  I probably
should have realized it, but having only used about a dozen of the things in
the last 10 years, it didn't occur to me until it was very much too late.

I am made somewhat less anxious by the fact that the condom in question
contained a spermicide.  It broke before I reached orgasm, so I hope that
there was a significant amount of spermicide in the condom.

Questions:	Is there anything that I/we could have done immediately after
		realizing what had occurred to reduce the possibility of 
		pregnancy (let's not resurrect the Coke discussion :-) ?

		Is this a common occurrance?  I was using a major brand, and
		I understood that these things are tested/inspected.  I'd be
		interested to hear from anyone else who has had a similar
		experience.  (Misery loves company.)

Please spare any flames regarding my choice of newsgroups to post to.  It is
not a strictly medical issue, nor does it only apply to singles only, and I
know that net.women is not a group solely for the discussion of sexual matters
and that there are other aspects to being a woman.  I just didn't know where
else to post this.

-- 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mark D. Freeman                     Guest account at The Ohio State University
StrongPoint Systems, Inc.				    mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP
209 Olentangy Street					  Mdf@Ohio-State.CSNET
Columbus, OH  43202-2340		       Mdf%Ohio-State@CSNET-RELAY.ARPA
							 !cbosgd!osu-eddie!mdf
I disclaim even my very existance.
	"This must be one of those gay-arab-biker-shushi bars!" -- Protocol
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credmond@watmath.UUCP (Chris Redmond) (01/13/86)

>
>I was wearing the condom like a ring.  In retrospect, the increase in lubri-
>cation was the condom breaking and our making actual contact.  I probably
>should have realized it, but having only used about a dozen of the things in
>the last 10 years, it didn't occur to me until it was very much too late.
>
>
>		Is this a common occurrance?  I was using a major brand, and
>		I understood that these things are tested/inspected.  I'd be
>		interested to hear from anyone else who has had a similar
>		experience.  (Misery loves company.)
>

It happened to me twice, some years ago.  I concluded that condoms
are better than nothing, but not much better.

chris@leadsv.UUCP (Chris Salander) (01/17/86)

	You can go a long way to prevent condoms from bursting if
you do more than just slip the things on.  The most important thing
to do is LEAVE ENOUGH SLACK AT THE END.  Usually the things get pushed
down, stretching the tip of the condom over the "head".  That seems
to be the most common cause of bursting.

	Second, you should LUBRICATE the condom or use the
pre-lubricated kind.  When the condom is dry, it catches on the walls
of the vagina, which causes the stretching mentioned above, which
causes the rupture.

	Finally, GET RID of the condom if it DRIES OUT or WRINKLES UP.
This usually means paying some attention to the condition of the
condom (difficult) and can cause an interruption.  The best way to
address this is to postpone rolling on the condom until very late.
This reduces the amount of time the condom is used and usually ensures
it will last long enough.

	So: 1) Leave some slack; 2) lubricate; and 3) use late.

	- not responsible for any pregnancies caused by my advice!

woods@hao.UUCP (Greg Woods) (01/17/86)

> Last night, I was making love to a new girlfriend whom I had not slept with
> previously.  We were using a condom.  After a while, she seemed to get more
> excited and there was an increase in lubrication.  When I withdrew, I found
> I was wearing the condom like a ring.  In retrospect, the increase in lubri-
> cation was the condom breaking and our making actual contact.

   I have had that experience too. There's no doubt that condoms dull the
sensitivity, and you definitely DO notice the difference, even when you
are not aware that there SHOULD be a difference!

> Questions:	Is there anything that I/we could have done immediately after
> 		realizing what had occurred to reduce the possibility of 
> 		pregnancy

   Not really, once you come inside her it is already much too late. Those
little buggers MOVE! :-)

> 		Is this a common occurrance?  I was using a major brand, and
> 		I understood that these things are tested/inspected.  I'd be
> 		interested to hear from anyone else who has had a similar
> 		experience.  (Misery loves company.)

   I have only had one break once. The trouble is, once can be too many 
times because that's all it takes. I suspect it IS a common occurence, even
though yes, they DO test/inspect them. What they DON'T do is guarantee them.
Even the best made condom is susceptible to breaking which is one reason why 
they are a LOUSY method of birth control. (The other is the afore-mentioned
loss of sensitivity).

--Greg

nazgul@apollo.uucp (Kee Hinckley) (01/18/86)

In article <1105@osu-eddie.UUCP> mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) writes:
> *** REPLACE THIS LINE WITH YOUR MESSAGE ***
> 
> Last night, I was making love to a new girlfriend whom I had not slept with
> previously.  We were using a condom.  After a while, she seemed to get more
> excited and there was an increase in lubrication.  When I withdrew, I found
> I was wearing the condom like a ring.  In retrospect, the increase in lubri-
> cation was the condom breaking and our making actual contact.  I probably
> should have realized it, but having only used about a dozen of the things in
> the last 10 years, it didn't occur to me until it was very much too late.

I use condoms regularly and have had the situation you describe happen to me
twice.  Once we just relied on the timing and crossed our fingers 
(successfully), the other time my girl-friend ended up taking a morning-after
pill.  The morning-after pill has the advantage of making you fell a lot more
relaxed and less concerned, however it certainly isn't something you would
want to rely on.  It made her very sick for several days.

Of the two instances on was a glitch due to the fact that we wern't really
sufficiently lubricated.  I don't think it would have happened otherwise.
The second instance occured when I was using some new condoms that were
the thinner more 'sensitive' type.  As soon as I discovered what had 
happend I reached over to the bedside table, picked up the box and threw
it in the trash.  In general I don't like using condoms (aside from the
issue of pleasure they never make me feel very safe).  Despite the mess
and hassle one really should never use them alone, but also use some kind
of foam.  I don't believe that anyone has shown the spermicidal codoms to
have that much better a success rate.  All in all I'm most happy with the
diaphram, but everytime my girl-friend uses it she gets an infection, so...

> 		Is this a common occurrance?  I was using a major brand, and
> 		I understood that these things are tested/inspected.

I believe that consumer report (did I hear this on the net?) has done a 
comparison of condoms and found that the testing was quite good.


                                            -kee
--
    Little Bo-Peep
    Has lost her sheep,
The radar has failed to find them.
    They'll all, face to face,
    Meet in parallel space,
Preceding their leaders behind them.

                        "A Space Child's Mother Goose"

mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) (01/18/86)

In article <763@leadsv.UUCP> chris@leadsv.UUCP (Chris Salander) writes:
>
>	So: 1) Leave some slack; 2) lubricate; and 3) use late.

To show that I am not an idiot, I submit the following:

The condom in question was purchased 3 hours before use.
It was a reservoir tip model, installed with slack on the end.
It was lubricated (the spermicide was in the lubricant).

For those who sent mail asking the brand:

Ramses Extra.

Thank you all for your responses.  The most useful one received by mail
suggested that the woman drink penniroyal (sp?) tea to make her system
as hostile as possible to any fertilized egg considering implanting in the
uterus.

I found out last night that the story has a happy ending, and we went to the
drug store for the celebratory 'buying a new box of tampons'.  Thanks again!

-- 
<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Mark D. Freeman                     Guest account at The Ohio State University
StrongPoint Systems, Inc.				    mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP
209 Olentangy Street					  Mdf@Ohio-State.CSNET
Columbus, OH  43202-2340		       Mdf%Ohio-State@CSNET-RELAY.ARPA
							 !cbosgd!osu-eddie!mdf
I disclaim even my very existance.

Acceptance without proof is the fundamental characteristic of Western religion,
 Rejection without proof is the fundamental characteristic of Western science.
		-- Gary Zukav from "The Dancing Wu Li Masters"
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greid@adobe.UUCP (Glenn Reid) (01/19/86)

As my venerable friend John Pettey used to say, "It only takes
one pitch to hit a home run...."

Never use the things, myself....  Can't think of any occasion where
it is so important to (rot13) fperj that you have to use a condom.

dave@ur-helheim.UUCP (David F. Carlson) (01/20/86)

In article <1105@osu-eddie.UUCP> mdf@osu-eddie.UUCP (Mark D. Freeman) writes:
>Last night, I was making love to a new girlfriend whom I had not slept with
>previously.  We were using a condom.  After a while, she seemed to get more
>excited and there was an increase in lubrication.  When I withdrew, I found
>I was wearing the condom like a ring.  In retrospect, the increase in lubri-
>cation was the condom breaking and our making actual contact.  I probably

a very sad,

>Mark D. Freeman                     Guest account at The Ohio State University

Perhaps you needed a bigger condom!  :-)

But seriously folks...
Condoms break all the time if used properly! ;-)
I had a roommate that never had one remain intact.  Good thing
he used them as a secondary form of control.  An answer to your
problem is to take things easier on that thin piece of material
that separates you from paternity AND always have foam in use/
or at least available when you use the darned things.

Good luck.


-- 
"The Faster I Go the Behinder I Get"
--Lewis Carroll

Dave Carlson

{allegra,seismo,decvax}!rochester!ur-valhalla!dave

dr@ski.UUCP (David Robins) (01/22/86)

> This usually means paying some attention to the condition of the
> condom (difficult) and can cause an interruption.  The best way to
> address this is to postpone rolling on the condom until very late.
> This reduces the amount of time the condom is used and usually ensures
> it will last long enough.
> 
> 	So: 1) Leave some slack; 2) lubricate; and 3) use late.
> 
> 	- not responsible for any pregnancies caused by my advice!

This advice to postpone condom use until "very late" is dangerous.
Sperms are often present in the seminal fluid, which is released long
before ejaculation.  This may result in pregnancy.

We were taught two things about condoms:

1) As previously mentioned, leave slack at the end.

2) "Test" it beforehand by blowing it up (no joke).  This will help find 
dangerous pinholes, if the face is used to feel any leaking air.  Also,
a weakened condom may burst when inflated.  Although this is not a real 
QC measure, and although I don't know is "exercising" this way may weaken
a good condom, this WAS recommended by the family planning people.


I WILL VOICE THE SAME DISCLAIMER AS ABOVE :-)
 	- not responsible for any pregnancies caused by my advice!
-- 
====================================================================
David Robins, M.D. 
Smith-Kettlewell Institute of Visual Sciences
2232 Webster St; San Francisco CA 94115
415/561-1705
			{ihnp4,qantel,dual}!ptsfa!ski!dr

The opinions expressed herein do not reflect the opinion of the Institute!

jsdy@hadron.UUCP (Joseph S. D. Yao) (01/22/86)

In article <1045@adobe.UUCP> greid@adobe.UUCP (Glenn Reid) writes:
>
>As my venerable friend John Pettey used to say, "It only takes
>one pitch to hit a home run...."
>
>Never use the things, myself....  Can't think of any occasion where
>it is so important to (rot13) fperj that you have to use a condom.

Hmmm... yes; i can't remember who said it, but "the best form of
birth control is an aspirin tablet ... held tightly between the
knees ..."
-- 

	Joe Yao		hadron!jsdy@seismo.{CSS.GOV,ARPA,UUCP}

vanam@pttesac.UUCP (Marnix van Ammers) (01/22/86)

In article <1045@adobe.UUCP> greid@adobe.UUCP (Glenn Reid) writes:
>
>Never use the things, myself....  Can't think of any occasion where
>it is so important to (rot13) fperj that you have to use a condom.

I've been in lots of situations where it was quite important to
fperj.  As a matter of fact I couldn't think of anything more
important.  Please do not put down the importance of fperjing.
Good grief.

Marnix

ark@alice.UucP (Andrew Koenig) (01/23/86)

> Hmmm... yes; i can't remember who said it, but "the best form of
> birth control is an aspirin tablet ... held tightly between the
> knees ..."

Nah.  Sex is definitely possible with the woman holding an aspirin
tablet between her knees the whole while.  All it takes is a little
imagination, dexterity, and concentration.

steves@kepler.UUCP (Steve Schlich) (01/24/86)

n.UUCP>
Sender: 
Reply-To: steves@kepler.UUCP (Steve Schlich)
Followup-To: 
Distribution: na
Organization: MicroPro Int'l Corp., San Rafael, CA
Keywords: aspirin, knees, ;-)

In article <194@hadron.UUCP> jsdy@hadron.UUCP (Joseph S. D. Yao) writes:
>In article <1045@adobe.UUCP> greid@adobe.UUCP (Glenn Reid) writes:
>>
>Hmmm... yes; i can't remember who said it, but "the best form of
>birth control is an aspirin tablet ... held tightly between the
>knees ..."
>-- 
>
>	Joe Yao		hadron!jsdy@seismo.{CSS.GOV,ARPA,UUCP}


Ann Landers.
-- 

One town looks very like another /
with your head down over your pieces, brother.
       ---from "One Night in Bangkok"
            Steve Schlich, MicroPro Product Development
{dual,hplabs,glacier,lll-crg}!well!micropro!kepler!steves

jason@homxb.UUCP (jason) (01/24/86)

try helium filled ....what fun

dave@cylixd.UUCP (Dave Kirby) (01/24/86)

In article <223@ski.UUCP> dr@ski.UUCP (David Robins) writes:

>We were taught two things about condoms:
>1) As previously mentioned, leave slack at the end.
>2) "Test" it beforehand by blowing it up (no joke).  This will help find 
>dangerous pinholes, if the face is used to feel any leaking air.  Also,
>a weakened condom may burst when inflated.  
------------------------------------------------------------------------

I can see it now...

"Oh, Jack...!"
"Oh, Jill... <heavy breathing>..."
(Long pause)
"Jack?"
"Just a minute, honey."
"Jack, what are you doing?"
"Just a minute, honey. Huffff... huffff... huffff..."
*** POW! ***
"Jack, that's gauche."
"I was just testing the condom, darling. Looks like I found a dud. Let's
 try another one. Huffff... huffff... huffff..."
(Holds blown-up condom to his face)
(Hisssssssssssssssssssssssssssss)
"Jack, is that the way you get your kicks?"
"I'm just trying to feel for pinholes, honey. Really, I'll be just one
  more minute."
"Forget it, Jack. I'm not interested any more."

I can see how this would be a really good means of birth control.

lje@mtfmp.UUCP (L.ELSER) (01/27/86)

PLEASE!!!!

Pennyroyal is a drug, not just a tea.  If you should
choose to drink it for the purposes you suggest, allergy-test
first (drink a weak cup and wait) and take it one teaspoon
dried herb per cup, two to three cups per day for NO MORE
than five days.  If you don't have your period after
five days, STOP TAKING IT ANYWAY.

Improperly taken, pennyroyal can kill.  Do not EVER 
substitute the oil for the herb.  The oil should never be
taken internally.

Controlling our own fertility with tools we probably
have around the house is an important part of reclaiming
our history as women, but prevention is still the better
part of valor.  Treat herbs as you would any other
medicine, and cultivate the frendship of your local herbologist.

Lisa

jcp@osiris.UUCP (Jody Patilla) (01/29/86)

> If you don't have your period after
> five days, STOP TAKING IT ANYWAY.
> Improperly taken, pennyroyal can kill.  Do not EVER 
> substitute the oil for the herb.  The oil should never be
> taken internally.

	Let me reinforce Lisa's message - PLEASE be very careful with 
pennyroyal (or any other herb you are not very familiar with). In large
or even medium doses it can be cumulatively toxic. The oil can burn the
skin. It makes an excellent insect repellant but should not be used around
pets or children at all, period.

-- 
jcpatilla

Mountain View is paid a diplomatic visit by giant Lunar reptiles
that want our hot tubs but can't find any so they leave. 

jimo@phred.UUCP (Jim Osborn) (01/30/86)

> Thank you all for your responses.  The most useful one received by mail
> suggested that the woman drink penniroyal (sp?) tea to make her system
> as hostile as possible to any fertilized egg considering implanting in the
> uterus.
> 
> I found out last night that the story has a happy ending, and we went to the
> drug store for the celebratory 'buying a new box of tampons'.  Thanks again!
The BEST way to prevent a recurrence is to treat yourself to 
a vascectomy.  

ed@mtxinu.UUCP (Ed Gould) (02/03/86)

> I found out last night that the story has a happy ending, and we went to the
> drug store for the celebratory 'buying a new box of tampons'.  Thanks again!

That's not any guarantee.  An acquaintance of mine had false periods for six
months after she became pregnant.  Imagine her surprise!

-- 
Ed Gould                    mt Xinu, 2910 Seventh St., Berkeley, CA  94710  USA
{ucbvax,decvax}!mtxinu!ed   +1 415 644 0146

"A man of quality is not threatened by a woman of equality."