# How does one use a condom incorrectly?
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 29, 2009, 8:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196 "2009-08-29T20:39:06Z")
**Posts on this page:** 20
**Page:** 2
### Author:  [@Oglomott](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Oglomott)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 1:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/21 "2009-08-30T13:42:40Z")
What about putting it on wrong side out? Is there even such a thing as wrong side out on a condom?
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### Author:  [@The\_Great\_Philosopher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Philosopher)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/22 "2009-08-30T14:28:29Z")
> [@Alex\_Dubinsky](#):
>
> I don’t understand this whole pinching thing. Did these sex ed teachers not understand the physics of fluids? Air /= vacuum. Did they really emphasize it that much?
I think some old-style condoms didn’t have the ‘reservoir’ bit at the front, and if you stretched the condom tightly against your mountaintop, the pressure upon release could tear the condom…
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### Author:  [@Iamametalrobot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Iamametalrobot)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/23 "2009-08-30T18:16:41Z")
> [@Kobal2](#):
>
> Pretty sure that’s biologically impossible, but hey, never let facts get in the way of a good story ;).
> .
Actually, it is possible for a woman to have twins by different fathers. [You should read the columns sometimes.](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/474/is-it-possible-for-fraternal-twins-to-have-different-fathers)
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### Author:  [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 6:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/24 "2009-08-30T18:24:07Z")
Another one is storage. Keeping it in the glove compartment of the car or your wallet for ages does not guarantee optimal performance.
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### Author:  [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 7:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/25 "2009-08-30T19:36:29Z")
> [@The\_Great\_Philosopher](#):
>
> I think some old-style condoms didn’t have the ‘reservoir’ bit at the front, and if you stretched the condom tightly against your mountaintop, the pressure upon release could tear the condom…
Bullshit.
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### Author:  [@YogSothoth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/YogSothoth)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 8:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/26 "2009-08-30T20:54:18Z")
If you wrap it around the penis, that is probably the wrong way… 😉
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### Author:  [@Zsofia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zsofia)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/27 "2009-08-30T21:00:48Z")
I think a LOT of failure comes from improper withdrawal - you have to carefully remove yourself immediately upon ejaculation, lest the seal not, you know, hold upon alteration of conditions.
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### Author:  [@RandMcnally](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/RandMcnally)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/28 "2009-08-30T21:32:32Z")
If you try to unroll it on your unit but find it’s the wrong way, then do it the right way, you already have some of your future children on the outside, which really defeats the purpose of a condom.
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### Author:  [@tim-n-va](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tim-n-va)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/29 "2009-08-30T21:55:13Z")
In the statistical data, a failure is not using one everytime. That is, if your primary/only means of birth control are condoms and you occasionally don’t use one and a pregnancy results, that is counted as a failure of condoms as birth control.
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### Author:  [@Alex\_Dubinsky](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Alex_Dubinsky)
#### Post date: [August 30, 2009, 11:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/30 "2009-08-30T23:55:33Z")
> [@Zsofia](#):
>
> I think a LOT of failure comes from improper withdrawal - you have to carefully remove yourself immediately upon ejaculation, lest the seal not, you know, hold upon alteration of conditions.
That might be the reason for the reservoir – to prevent back-movement of semen and escape at the base. Still, sounds rather theoretical, and if it were a real problem I doubt the reservior would do _that_ much to prevent it.
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### Author:  [@EvilTOJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EvilTOJ)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2009, 9:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/31 "2009-08-31T09:15:45Z")
> [@Kobal2](#):
>
> 1. Re-use. Oh yes, it happens.
OH sure, it’s easy to reuse a condom. Just turn it inside out and shake the fuck out of it.
**Alex\_Dubinsky** I have personally ruptured a condom from it being too tightly rolled on at the top. It wasn’t the pressure upon release that did it, it was more about the friction not giving the latex room to give. Luckily I noticed before the fireworks started.
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### Author:  [@Mudshark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mudshark)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2009, 9:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/32 "2009-08-31T09:19:21Z")
> [@Oglomott](#):
>
> What about putting it on wrong side out? Is there even such a thing as wrong side out on a condom?
Yes. It won’t unroll all they way if you put it on the wrong way.
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### Author:  [@Serenata67](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Serenata67)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2009, 12:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/33 "2009-08-31T12:35:08Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#):
>
> Especially if it’s going into an area of the body that doesn’t naturally make its own lubrication.
Like having [Ear Sex](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prick_Up_Your_Ears_(Family_Guy))? Oh, wait… that’s [not](http://www.straightdope.com/columns/read/53/what-exactly-is-ear-sex)what it is…
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### Author:  [@Enright3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Enright3)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2009, 1:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/34 "2009-08-31T13:35:16Z")
> [@MeDrewNotYou](#):
>
> To put it delicately, size can be a factor. If you’re _ahem_ _endowed_, make sure you buy the right size of condoms. 😉
That’s the biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard. Over sized condoms are nothing but a marketing ploy. Certainly in terms of breakage. I suppose I could see where ones girth might make it feel snug, but… :rolleyes:
I’ve seen a friend, as a party trick, inflate a condom and pull it over his head past his chin, and that was a long time ago. I’m sure condom technology has been increased even since then.
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### Author:  [@justrob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/justrob)
#### Post date: [August 31, 2009, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/35 "2009-08-31T14:09:34Z")
> [@Rigamarole](#):
>
> Sure, if that’s what you’re into.
I’m sorry, I can’t help [it.](http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pY8jaGs7xJ0)
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### Author:  [@Shot\_From\_Guns](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shot_From_Guns)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2009, 9:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/36 "2009-09-01T21:11:05Z")
> [@Enright3](#):
>
> That’s the biggest load of bull I’ve ever heard. Over sized condoms are nothing but a marketing ploy. Certainly in terms of breakage. I suppose I could see where ones girth might make it feel snug, but… :rolleyes:
There’s a difference between “it will go on” and “it will be comfortable.” I have, uh, shall we say “direct second-hand knowledge” of this.
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2009, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/37 "2009-09-01T21:22:09Z")
Apparently, double-bagging is a no-no.
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### Author:  [@Harriet\_the\_Spry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Harriet_the_Spry)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2009, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/38 "2009-09-01T21:25:43Z")
It occurs to me that it is really impossible for \*one \*to use a condom incorrectly. Truly incorrect use really requires two or more participants. 🙂
I remembered another incorrect use, which is if the erection subsides in the middle of the act, the condom should be replaced.
I think use of male and female condom at the same time would also be incorrect.
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### Author:  [@The\_Great\_Philosopher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Great_Philosopher)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2009, 9:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/39 "2009-09-01T21:45:26Z")
> [@Alex\_Dubinsky](#):
>
> Bullshit.
There are even still condoms today that don’t have reservoirs - Trojan Ecstasy for instance. And as **EvilTOJ** has already attested, if a condom is pulled tight against the tip it increases the chances it’ll tear. Where’s the bullshit?
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### Author:  [@DooWahDiddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DooWahDiddy)
#### Post date: [September 1, 2009, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-does-one-use-a-condom-incorrectly/508196/40 "2009-09-01T21:51:48Z")
When I was a kid, I used to think condoms were pills you had to take. But because everyone was talking about putting them _on_, I thought you had to balance the pill on your wee-wee (I was seven) and if it fell off then the girl would get pregnant.
So I guess that would be using a condom incorrectly.
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