Girls too can learn about condoms- Janice 20

“If you let me in your life, your heart will never be cold again.”

I met this guy in a matatu while I was going to work. He sat beside me and we started talking when I asked him to shut the window since it was getting cold. "You know, baby girl, if you let me into your life, your heart will never be cold again because, in me, it will have found a warm home" he commented slyly. He then introduced himself as Tony and we continued with the small talk until we finally exchanged numbers.

“I went over to Netflix and chill.”

After a few days of getting to know each other, we began dating and we were three months strong in the relationship. One evening, he invited me over for a sleepover and who wouldn't like to spend a night with her boo. It was an awesome night; the ambience and setting were just perfect and I was in love with his taste in movies. Things were just getting better and better. This was your average Netflix and chill. Deep into the night, the light caress turned into a deeper romantic touch then a passionate kiss and in a few, we were in bed.

“Something’s wrong.”

He dimmed the lights, put on a condom and we were down to business when, a few minutes into it, I noticed that he was being hesitant. He told me that he felt something was wrong and on further investigation, we realized that the condom broke. I was so scared that I couldn't continue with sex. What went wrong? Are condoms not as effective as I had thought? Will I get pregnant? I pondered through all these questions until morning.

“I decided to learn how they are used.”

In the morning, he admitted that he might have worn the condom wrongly. I thought as long as it covers the penis, it is right but I came to find out that I was also so wrong. Luckily, we had both tested for HIV and STIs a month ago and so after a trip to the doctor to get emergency contraception to prevent pregnancy, I decided to learn how condoms are used. I went through the internet and learnt how condoms work and how they should be used. The pinch, place and roll technique was my take home. Simple yet very practical. I learnt that the condom should be pinched so air is not trapped inside the condom, which could lead to a break.

“Now I know.”

I didn't know before how men wore condoms, but now I believe I'm in a place of pointing out if it is worn wrongly and thus, I feel confident that I'm going to have safer sex as a result.