Keeping a condom safe

By RICA CRUZ

Hi Ms. Rica,

My boyfriend insists na ako na daw ang magkeep ng condoms sa bag ko. Medyo nakakahiya kasi if someone sees the con­doms in my bag. Sabi ko sa kanya sa wallet niya na lang ilagay. Masisira daw ‘yung condom or baka daw mabutas. Totoo ba ‘yun or joke time lang? Kasi sabi nya nakakaturn on daw kapag ako yung may dala ng condom e. Thank you.

Parachuter

Hi Parachuter!

At the very least, let me con­gratulate you and your boy­friend for practicing safe sex. Kailangan talagang maging practice ang at least bringing a condom for when you two want to have sex. But then again, dapat wag kang ma­hiya to have condoms in your bag dahil this also reflects on being mature and responsible dahil hindi kayo careless kung magsexy time.

Generally, totoong dapat hindi nilalagay sa wallet ang condom. Madami kasing pos­sible actions like bending, fric­tion, at body heat na nagco­contribute sa deterioration ng isang condom. It will weaken or might even break.

Ang extreme heat or freez­ing naman ay magiging da­hilan para maging marupok ang condom kahit pa mabalik ito sa normal room tempera­ture. Puwedeng magkaroon ng microscopic holes at mga punit ito na makakaepekto sa effectiveness ng condom as a contraceptive and preventing sexually transmitted infec­tions or STIs.

For best results, dapat ang mga condoms ay nasa isang cool, dry, and dark place. Pwede itong nasa bedside table. Baka din possible na bumili ng isang hard case or magimprovise ka ng isang lalagyan kung ilalagay mo ito sa iyong bag.

Makakatulong ito para mai­wasan ang ano mang maka­kaapekto sa isang condom. Also, remember to check the expiration date of the condoms pala. Hindi pwede yung “pwede pa yan” at­titude sa condoms kahit pa walang visible damage dito.

Isa ang condom sa mga basic and easily accessible contraception methods. Kai­langan mo ding alagaan at proteksyunan ang gagamitin mong proteksyon. Always enjoy and be safe! #Alway­sComePrepared #takeit­fromthesexymind

With love and lust,

Rica

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If you have questions on love and sex that you want me to answer, you may mes­sage me at www.facebook.com/TheSexyMind.

Biography: Rica Cruz is a Licensed Psychologist, Mar­riage Counselor, and, Cou­ples and Sex Therapist. She comes out as the Resident Psychologist on Boys’ Night Out every Thursday night on Magic 89.9.