The use of condoms among married couples is an eyebrow-raising conversation. Why?
Because most couples opt for long-term pregnancy preventive contraception such as implants, coils, and injections—condoms hardly make it to the list.
Other couples opt for permanent procedures like vasectomy or tubal ligation.
However, some married couples use condoms like any other contraception, so it shouldn’t surprise you to hear about condom use among spouses.
To understand how prevalent condom use is among couples, it is essential to get into facts and statistics for a clearer picture.
How Common Is Condom Use Among Married Couples?
Condom use is a standard male contraception method across different continents.
A 2016 published study by the Cambridge University Press reports 21-24% of condom use among married couples in Europe and 10% in Northern America, Latin America, and Oceania.
There may be no statistical data from Africa regarding condom use among married couples, but it is a widely used contraceptive in the continent.
Most African countries are underdeveloped, which means their health systems mainly distribute condoms because it is the most affordable contraception method compared to others.
The research findings prove that condom use among married couples is not a new concept but a practice that exists.
How Common Is Condom Use in Long Distance Relationships?
Most couples in long-distance relationships prefer using condoms because their intimate moments are limited.
For example, it doesn’t make sense for a woman whose husband works in the military to go for a long-term hormonal contraceptive, yet her husband comes home once in a blue moon.
Besides preventing pregnancy, condoms also provide the perfect protection against STIs and HIV for long-distance lovers because of the likelihood of one or both succumbing to unfaithfulness while away from their loved one.
Is it Weird for My Spouse to Want to Use Condoms All of a Sudden?
If your spouse suddenly wants to start using condoms and you can’t wrap your head around what could have contributed to their abrupt decision, you must openly communicate the issue.
After all, you deserve an explanation because such a decision from one partner awakens suspicion from the other partner, where negative thoughts such as cheating and STIs take over.
Your spouse may opt for condoms for reasons such as:
I. Hormonal contraceptives are taking a toll on her mental and physical health
Some hormonal contraceptives render women bloated and moody, experiencing prolonged and heavy menses and gaining more weight.
To her, a condom is a friendlier contraceptive, and she won’t have to deal with adverse side effects like hormonal contraceptives.
II. Seme_n allergy
 This might sound new to most men, but some women develop seme_n allergies immediately after sex or after some time.
Most women initially mistake the allergy symptoms like v@ginal irritation for an STI infection before discovering it has to do with their partner’s seme_n.
What causes the allergy?
Since the v@gina’s PH is acidic and that of seme_n alkaline, frequent ej@culation creates a PH imbalance rendering the v@gina vulnerable to yeast infections that cause irritability and accompanying discharge.
III. It is a safe contraception method
If your man suddenly wants to use the condom, one reason could be that he isn’t ready to become a father and is protecting you from falling pregnant.
A lady spouse can also suggest using condoms if she thinks it offers her higher protection against pregnancy than other contraceptives.
Maybe a particular contraception method failed her in the past, and she can’t risk getting pregnant again, especially if you live in regions or states that have outlawed abortion.
IV. Experimentation
Your spouse’s reason for using condoms could be experimental, meaning they want to explore the contraception option out of curiosity.
How Married Couples Should Navigate Condom Use
Decisions in marriage require open communication, and condom use is not an exception.
In most cases, the contraception issue is burdened on women when it should be a collective responsibility.
Being a male contraception method, one would expect men to take the lead in championing its use, but that is not always the case.
So, how should married couples navigate the condom use issue?
The guiding factor that couples can rely on when incorporating condom use in their intimacy routine is addressing the why.Â
Anyone who brings up the condom issue in a marriage should clarify why they are considering it to their spouse.
The reasons could be several, but the primary ones are protection against sexually transmitted diseases and HIV for couples in long-distance relationships, seme_n reaction, and pregnancy prevention.
For instance, some women experience adverse side effects from almost all contraception methods, such that their only option is a condom.
In such a scenario, her spouse should demonstrate support and understanding by seeing why they need to adopt condom use.
Also, while navigating the condom option, couples should remember that they may find condoms boring, affecting their intimacy.
To avoid this, couples should try different condom brands and lubricants until they settle on a suitable option.
Is Condom Use in Marriage a Sign That Someone Is Cheating?
Without a doubt, infidelity in marriages has significantly increased over the years.
Some facts and figures from LA Intelligence Detective Agency report that 30%-60% of married couples will cheat at least once in their marriage.
For that reason, cheating suspicion is inevitable the moment one partner, especially a man, recommends using condoms.
However, it is unfair to accuse your spouse of cheating without proof.
You need to hear their explanation regarding switching to condom use, and if you are not convinced by any reasons given, you should prove that their action has to do with infidelity.
Cheating cannot be ruled out, especially for couples in long-distance relationships, makings suspicions valid for such setups.
If your partner rules out cheating as the reason to adopt condom use, you can suggest testing to clear any doubts.
However, if the cheating signs exist, trust your instinct and embark on a mission to discover the truth.
Bottom line? Suggesting condom use may not always signify a cheating partner, but it can be a reason.
