Reading Time: 4 minutes

Today lovers across the world are celebrating Valentine’s Day in different ways. As you and your partner celebrate Valentine’s Day 2023, remember that today is also National Condom Awareness Day.

Yes, it is, and, on that note, it would be nice if you dedicate the day or night or both to practising safe sex, getting tested, and having fun!

National Condom Awareness Day is celebrated on February 14 to raise awareness about practising safe sex. The day promotes conversations about using condoms during sexual activities, the correct usage of condoms, and reducing the shame attached to buying and carrying condoms.

The day is about celebrating healthy relationships, highlighting the importance of safe and consensual sex, and promoting positive sexual health, looking after our sexual health, and preventing unplanned pregnancies, sexually transmitted diseases, etc.

Acoording to the 2017 Mellennial Sex Survey by SKYN Condoms, 68 per cent of millennials say they are more likely to have sex on Valentine’s Day than any other day of the year.

Not-so-coincidentally, February 14 was specifically chosen as National Condom Day due to the high sex traffic that takes place on Valentine’s Day across the world.

This makes sense, especially considering the 2012 statistic from LifeStyles Condoms that found, on average, 87 condoms are used every second during Valentine’s Day. If you do the math, that means around 7,516,800 condoms are used on Valentine’s Day alone.

Here are some facts to know about condoms.

Wear a condom always – even if you’re not having penetrative intercourse, while there’s no risk of pregnancy, there is still a chance of contracting STDs if you don’t wear a condom. Therefore, always wear a condom, especially if you’re engaging in oral sex.

Expiration date is important – you may have noticed the expiration date on your condoms, but it’s probably not at the forefront of your mind when you’re hooking up, particularly on V-Day.

It is also important to know that keeping a condom in your pocket or wallet isn’t the best idea. This is because unused condoms lose integrity over time.  Extreme temperatures (hot and cold) and excess rubbing or bending can cause condoms to deteriorate faster.

In case a condom seems dry, sticky, or stiff when it comes out of the package, throw it away and use a newer one; helpful tip to prevent this: store unused condoms in a cool, dry place.

There are condoms for both men and women – There are both female and male condoms. It’s up to you to choose the option you prefer.

The male condom is worn on the penis and is usually made of latex.

A female condom is inserted into the vagina and has a flexible ring at either end; the closed end goes into the vagina while the other end is open, allowing the ring to sit outside the opening of the vagina.

NEVER EVER reuse condoms! Use a new condom for each time you have sex! Not only is it terrible hygiene but it increases the risk of breakage.

Do NOT double up! You don’t need any double defense, one condom is enough! Using two condoms at the same time creates friction and makes it much more likely that the condom will break.

Avoid oil-based lubricants – Items like mineral oil, petroleum jelly, olive oil, or baby oil can break down the rubber increasing the risk for breakage. So, avoid using condoms that are oil-based.

Check your size – there are different condom sizes for a reason. Check out a few different options to determine which size best suits you. If a condom is too small, it can create friction and break. If it’s too big, it can slip off, so know your fit.

It is important to put the condom on correctly – knowing how to carefully open and remove the condom from its wrapper is as essential as is putting it on.

According to National Today, the correct way to use a condom is by placing the condom on the head of the erect penis. If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first. Pinch air out of the tip of the condom.

Unroll condom all the way down the penis. After sex but before pulling out, hold the condom at the base. Then pull out, while holding the condom in place. Carefully remove the condom and throw it in the trash.

Happy Valentine’s Day! Now, that you know more about condoms, there is no excuse for having unsafe sex!