The ‘risky’ sex mistake 30% of people have made in the heat of the moment

It’s easy to make mistakes in the heat of the moment (Picture: Getty Images/iStockphoto) Most of us, at least in theory, know how to put on a condom. But successfully sheathing a banana in sex ed is a far cry from getting it right for real. Amid the throes of passion, with low lighting, tangled sheets and the ever-present threat of killing the mood working against you, it’s easy to fumble the bag (literally). In fact, studies show that up to 40% of all sexual encounters feature some sort of condom use error — including one common mistake you may just have made yourself. According to research from the Kinsey Institute, as many as 30% of people worldwide admit to having flipped a condom over after initially trying and failing to put it on inside out; potentially equating to millions across the UK. ‘Many would be surprised at the large number of Brits who still routinely make preventable errors that can significantly reduce the effectiveness of male condoms,’ says Augustina Vasilachi, professional standards pharmacist at Pharmacy2U. As many as one and three people have flipped a condom at some point (Picture: Getty Images) When faced with an inside out prophylactic that won’t roll down properly, turning it over may seem like a harmless solution. However, as Augustina explains, this means the outside of the condom will have already touched the penis, ‘leaving sexual partners exposed, increasing the risk of pregnancy and STIs.’ ‘It’s important to throw it away after [incorrectly applying] and replace it with a fresh one before continuing,’ she adds. Have you ever made the mistake of putting a condom on inside out? Yes, but I realised and threw it away.Check Yes, and I flipped it over.Check No, I always check carefully.Check I don't use condoms.Check Love juicy stories? Need some sex tips to spice things up in the bedroom? Sign up for The Hook Up Newsletter now Ask Metro Use AI to go deeper into the stories you care about – powered by Metro and trusted publications. Unfortunately, it seems this is easier said than done. On a recent r/internetparents post, a Redditor asked for advice after absentmindedly flipping a condom over before sex, which one commenter reassured them was ‘a very common scenario that the vast majority of people who use condoms have experienced.’ Some were fairly relaxed, telling them not to worry as it ‘happens all the time’, although others argued incorrect condom application ‘completely defeats the purpose of wearing one at all.’ One online commenter said improper condom application ‘completely defeats the purpose of wearing one’ (Picture: Getty Images) The truth is, using protection is preferable to going without, as condoms provide the best protection against STI’s of all contraception methods and, even when used incorrectly, are 82% effective at preventing pregnancy Still, given this figure increases to 98% when they’re used correctly every time, it’s worth being aware of the pitfalls to avoid. Looking to refresh your memory? The NHS advises: Do use a new condom every time you have sex Do follow the instructions on the condom packet to put it on correctly Do check the use by date has not expired – an expired condom may not be effective Do check the packet for a European CE mark or UKCA mark – this means it’s been tested to high safety standards Don’t use more than one condom – this can make one or both condoms split Don’t use oil-based lubricant with latex condoms – use water-based or silicone-based lubricant instead Deals of the Day The Orlando holiday deal Disney fans shouldn't miss We're adding this discounted NEOM gift set straight to basket Want an LED face mask for less? This Black Friday deal could save you hundreds This teeth whitening sale could save you up to 64% before Black Friday The best Black Friday sleep deals to upgrade your bedroom with Simba’s 33% off sale If you do make a mistake, or the condom splits or comes off during sex, speak to a pharmacist, sexual health clinic, 111 or a GP for advice. Do you have a story you’d like to share? Get in touch by emailing MetroLifestyleTeam@metro.co.uk Arrow MORE: Should you go to the office or work from home with a cold? Snotty Brits are divided Arrow MORE: The rare but treatable disorder Euphoria’s Eric Dane’s ALS was mistaken for Arrow MORE: Sad Nipple Syndrome is the ‘buzzkill’ condition affecting men and women in bed The Hook Up Metro's hottest newsletter, with juicy stories and tips for spicing things up in the bedroom. 18+