dating and condoms: should you use condoms with your partner?

When getting into a new relationship or casually seeing a new person, almost everything can feel taboo. From talking about an ex, getting up to use the bathroom, and of course, deciding when to discuss the use of condoms during sex. In these first stages, so many sex-related questions arise like: Should we be using birth control? Have either of us gotten tested recently? How long into a relationship should we still be using condoms? Is it okay to continue using condoms? Are we exclusive? And while we cannot answer all of these questions, this blog’s aim is to help you decide whether or not using condoms in a relationship is right for you.

Key Takeaways (TL;DR) Condoms in Long-Term Relationships 

• During a new sexual relationship, it is important to take note of and care for your sexual health. 

• This includes deciding whether you will continue to use condoms as your relationship evolves. 

• Pregnancy and STI prevention are not the only reasons a couple may use condoms, there are many reasons that condoms can be a great addition to the bedroom in a relationship. 

• From period sex to penis sensitivity, we will give you the run down on why some couples use condoms and help you decide if using condoms is right for you and your partner. 

When to Stop Using Condoms in a Relationship

Using condoms in a relationship or any sexual partnership is a personal choice between you and your partner(s). Deciding when is the right time to – or if you even should – stop using condoms should be a mutual decision, too. When it comes to your sexual health, there are a few questions you can ask yourself before bringing up the idea of stopping condom use with a new partner. Once you have answered these questions internally, you can then open up the dialogue with your partner, which we will discuss in the coming sections. Before having the condom conversation with a new partner, ask yourself these questions:

Are We Exclusive? 

Understanding your relationship dynamic and exclusivity is a great place to start when it comes to your sexual health. If you are seeing a new person and you are unsure about where you stand on exclusivity or have made the mutual decision to be non-exclusive, it may not be the right time to stop using condoms. Condoms can help you to protect each other.

Have We Both Been Tested for STIs?

Even if you have decided to be monogamous, sexually transmitted infections (STIs) could still be a concern in a new relationship. If either of you were sexually active prior to the relationship, and haven’t gotten tested recently, condoms are a great way to practice safer sex and prevent STI transmission. Not all STIs have symptoms and they may not be detectable immediately after sex . Don’t stop using condoms until you have both been tested for STIs. If you are sexually active, getting regular STI tests is recommended for everyone. Getting tested is a great way to take care of each other!

Is Pregnancy Possible in Our Relationship? 

If pregnancy is a possibility in your couple, and you and your partner are not looking to get pregnant, then condoms can be an amazing layer of protection. Even if one partner is on another form of birth control, many couples continue using condoms as an extra layer to further decrease their chance of pregnancy.

Do I Feel Pressured to Stop Using Condoms? 

Another important point is ensuring you never feel pressured to stop using condoms. If using condoms makes you feel safe, comfortable, and healthy, your partner needs to respect that boundary. Condom use requires mutual agreement—if one person wants to use them, that decision stands.

Why Do Couples Use Condoms? 

Even if all of the questions above lead to the conversation of stopping condom use, there are many reasons couples will continue to use condoms. Once you and your partner are both ready to discuss how to practice safer sex in a way that works for you, consider these reasons couples use condoms in relationships to see if condoms should keep their shelf space in your home. 

Non-Hormonal Birth Control Option 

Many hormonal contraceptive methods come along with side effects that can affect mood, weight, cycles, mental health, hair growth, and more. While not everyone experiences these symptoms the same way or at all, it is common for people to want to avoid them. So, lots of couples stick to condoms as their main form of birth control if they are looking to prevent pregnancy. 

Condoms Come in Many Styles

Dislike condoms? It’s usually not the condom—it’s that you haven’t found the right one! Finding a condom that fits right and feels good makes all the difference. MyONE® Custom Fit® offers 52 condom sizes, easy measuring tools, and sample kits so everyone can find their perfect condom fit. Condoms also come in a variety of styles, including thin condoms, ribbed condoms, and studded condoms that enhance sensation. Condom styles like flavored condoms and glow-in-the-dark condoms add more excitement. Try them all to see what works for you!

Makes Sex Last Longer

Condoms by nature are a barrier, and that barrier can help reduce sensations. If you feel as though your orgasm comes quicker than you prefer, condoms can be a natural way to decrease penis sensitivity and increase the time it takes to finish. Many couples play with different condom styles, such as studded condoms or extra ribbed condoms, and find a thinness that allows them to have pleasurable sex that lasts as long as they desire.

Period Sex

If you or your partner have a period, condoms can be a great addition to sex during that time. During menstruation, the body experiences hormonal changes and the cervix slightly opens, so you are more susceptible to BV and UTIs. Many couples opt for condoms for period sex to help avoid infections that are more common at this time. Additionally, if you are prone to pH imbalances, condoms can keep semen, which is alkaline, away from the more acidic vagina. Avoiding contact with semen can help maintain a balanced pH if you are susceptible to fluctuations, and for further solutions, you can incorporate a pH-friendly personal lubricant into your sexual routine. 

Open Relationships and Group Play 

Couples who engage in group play or have an open relationship often use condoms to avoid the transmission of STIs. Open communication is important in these types of relationships to ensure that everyone maintains good sexual health. Depending on you and your partner’s preferences it can be discussed how, when, and if you use condoms when it comes to open relationships.

Makes for Easy Clean Up

Condoms collect semen in the reservoir tip and many find that this feature is great for post-sex clean up. Even if any of the above aren’t a consideration in a relationship, some couples will continue to use condoms during sex so that there isn’t as much to clean up. This is also true for period sex! Period blood and semen are kept away from the respective partners, so after sex is finished all you have to do is discard the condom post-sex for easy clean up! 

Conclusion 

At the end of the day, there are many reasons that couples may (or may not) continue to use condoms throughout their relationship, that are personal to them. The most important part is that you are taking care of your sexual health in a way that works for both of you! Here at ONE® we are always thinking up new and innovative ways to make condoms more fun and comfortable, no matter what stage of a relationship you are in. From custom fit condoms to anal sex approved there is sure to be a ONE® Condom that entices you and your partner ;) 

FAQs

How do I talk about condom use with a partner? 

Using condoms is a mutual decision and it is important to openly communicate your boundaries with your partner when it comes to your sexual health. Find a time to talk about it away from the bedroom. In the heat of the moment, it can be hard to get your thoughts together and say everything you want, in the way that you want. 

Why do married couples use condoms?

There are so many reasons couples may use condoms, even if they are married, and everyone is different. Couples may use condoms as a form of birth control, STI prevention if they engage in group play, a way to make sex last longer, or just because it makes them more comfortable. The act of using condoms does not indicate anything about a relationship and is a great way to prevent STIs and pregnancy.