I have a question about condoms. I am 18 and I've just started having sex this past summer with my significant other after 2.5 years together. I take birth control for other reasons but still take my pill every day usually at the same time. I use condoms for every sexual intercourse experience but i was still wondering that even if it's put on correctly with no slippage or breakage, can the semen can leak out from the base of the condom if the semen were to spread inside it? Thank you for hearing me out!

Dear Teenie,

If you leave an extra half-inch at the top of the condom and squeeze the air out before rolling it down his penis, his ejaculate should pretty much stay around the top and not be pushed to the bottom of the condom. However, I can see how you would think it might!

One thing I would be concerned about is making sure the condom doesn't stay inside your vagina after his penis has left the building. Usually, after a guy ejaculates, his erection starts to go down and his penis starts to shrink. This is why it is important for one of you to put your fingers over the bottom of the condom to clamp it around the base of his penis after he ejaculates. This will help prevent it from staying behind in your vagina as he pulls his penis out.

I can't help but wonder why you are so worried about his semen leaking out when you are also taking the pill, unless you are concerned about getting an STI, or are just plain terrified about becoming pregnant. Whatever your concerns, the chances of his semen leaking out around the base of the condom are not very high.

I hope the two of you are enjoying your sex life. The studies I have seen report that couples usually enjoy intercourse more if they wait until they've been together for awhile before starting to have it. Being in a good relationship also helps. We often forget how important communication and trust can be in a sexual relationship, and these are things that don't just happen over night.

Paul
author of "Guide To Getting It On!"

if you are interested in Paul's book:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1885535694/goofyfootpres