Have you ever been in the mood, in the moment, everything was right…and then you realize that you’re missing something important? (A condom!!) Well, we at ONE® Condoms want to make sure that doesn’t happen again, or at least as seldom as possible.
When it comes to having condoms on-hand for those special moments, we think it’s less about “better safe than sorry” and more about staying ready, so you don’t have to get ready. Or something like that. :)
So we did a bit of research into the occasions in life when people are most likely to need a condom and we narrowed it down to five life moments when you’ll be glad you have ONE®:
- Moving to a new city
- Starting a new job
- Starting at a new school
- Enjoying a night out
- Traveling to a new locale
Ready to dive in? Let’s go.
Moving to a New City
Sometimes you need a fresh start, a change of scenery or just a new place to live. Millions of people move every year, and with the pandemic, this is even more true. So why does moving to a new city top our list?
Picture this: you’re unpacked, you’re settled in and you’re ready to explore your new hometown. You meet some new people, some new flames, get your groove back...having condoms might come in handy!
As you explore your sexuality with new partner(s) in your new city or new sex toys in your new home, make sure you have ONE® (or more) to make sure you’re maintaining your sexual health and protecting yourself and your partner(s) from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and/or unplanned pregnancy.
Bonus Tip: With the flurry of packing up for your big move, storing your condoms may not be top of mind. Unfortunately, condoms can become damaged due to friction, heat or general wear or tear and safe storage is key.
We recommend keeping your condoms in a cool, secure place like a small coin purse or a sock within your suitcase. That way you can enjoy a level of privacy with movers or prying new neighbors and ensure that your condoms will be in tip top shape when you get settled in your new hometown.
Starting at a New Job
While human resources may not love that we’ve included this as the second on the list, starting a new job is a great time to have ONE®. Whether you get cozy with a new coworker under the mistletoe at the holiday party, working late leads to one thing or you develop a crush on that cute manager from the second floor, it never hurts to be prepared with condoms.
Don’t believe us? Don’t (only) take our word for it! A recent study found that workplace romances aren’t as uncommon as you might think: 58% of employees reported engaging in a romantic relationship with a colleague and 72% of respondents over 50 reported being romantically involved with a coworker.
So if you’re one of the many people who’ve changed jobs during the pandemic for one reason or another, make sure you bring ONE® to your first day on the new job along with your lucky underwear.
Starting at a New School
If you’re one of the many people going back to campus this fall, make sure you bring ONE® on your new educational chapter. You’re bound to meet dozens, if not hundreds or thousands of fellow students, and we recommend condoms as you...explore the rest of the student body *wink* (or your own body with new toys!).
This is particularly true for high school and college aged students. A recent study from the CDC found that total cases of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis in the United States hit new highs in 2015 and over 1.5 million new cases of chlamydia, about 395,000 new cases of gonorrhea and nearly 24,000 cases of syphilis were among people aged 15-24.
For some campuses, people are coming from all over the area, the state, the country and even the world! Despite their studious nature, not everyone has the same comfort or level of familiary with safer sex options – you might even find yourself spreading some knowledge (while you work to stop the spread of STIs and unplanned pregnancy). Not to mention, depending on where you go to school, condoms may not be readily available and bringing them will help avoid a shortage!
Bonus Tip: Got a nosy roommate? Not to worry. Consider storing your condoms in your nightstand, in a toiletries bag or even, if you’re feeling very James Bond, in a hollowed out book. This will help with any sticky fingers, because with roommates, not everything is to be shared!
Enjoying a Night Out
We’re sure there’s little surprise in following up the last entry with about a new school with our number four item on the list: enjoying a night out. It’s true, as many cities and states begin to relax COVID-19 restrictions, nightlife is slowly but surely coming back to life. If you decide to venture back out for a night on the town, make sure you bring your ONE® in tow.
Whether it’s the music, the excitement of meeting new people or a few drinks, nights out are a great time to meet new people, and if it gets there, to connect on a sexual level. It can be quite stimulating and romantic! However, a recent study found that drinking prior to a first sexual encounter with a new partner was associated with decreased condom use – you can cut down on that risk by carrying ONE® with you.
Bonus Tip: If you plan on getting your boogie on or even perching on a bar stool, you will want to avoid storing your condoms in your back pocket or wallet (though these do seem like an obvious place for many). Why? The friction caused by your body movements and the heat from your body movement can cause damage to the condoms themselves. Consider instead somewhere secure like an empty tin for mints or the like.
Traveling to a New Locale
As travel around the globe picks up, it is worthwhile to pack ONE® in your bags! The CDC reports that an estimated one in five travelers reporting having sex with a new partner while in a foreign country. And it makes sense, right? New sights, sounds, scents and sexy locals to explore!
Whether it’s an exotic vacation overseas or a road trip to a neighboring state, it never hurts to be prepared, especially if you are traveling somewhere where condoms are less available or you are unfamiliar with how to purchase them locally.
How Best to Use ONE® Condoms
Like most products, when you use condoms correctly, they can be up to 98% effective at preventing the transmission of STIs and unplanned pregnancy when worn on the penis, from start to finish, during oral, vaginal or anal sex. The good news is that it is simple to use a condom correctly – check out some helpful tips below for the next time you have sex:
- Make sure to check the expiration date, as expired condoms are more likely to break or tear, putting you at risk. You can find this information on the condom wrapper and it only takes a moment!
- The best way to put a condom on is to pinch the tip of the condom, place it on the head of the penis (like a loose beanie cap) and then to roll the condom down the full length of the shaft. And then you’re off!
- If pregnancy is a concern, consider extra protection through another form of birth control like the birth control pill, intrauterine devices (IUDs) or other hormonal medications.
- If a condom breaks while you are using it, you have a number of options, including emergency contraception. We have compiled a full list of immediate and longer term next steps you can take.
Check out the full list of tips and tricks for proper condom use and shop for ONE® Condoms right on our site!