THE MYTH: If you don’t have a condom, you can use plastic wrap or a plastic bag.
One popular myth we hear all the time is that you can improvise a homemade "condom" if one is not available to you. We've heard all sorts of suggestions—plastic wrap, baggies, balloons, plastic shower caps, tin foil (yikes!), even a snack-sized Doritos bag—and all sorts of methods for making them work.
THE TRUTH: Before you decide to get all DIY and start MacGyvering up a homemade condom, here's what you need to know. Plastic wrap, baggies, and other household materials are not good substitutes for a condom. They don't fit well, can easily be torn, and can get displaced during sex. Condoms are specifically made to provide a good fit and good protection during sex and they are thoroughly tested for maximum effectiveness. When it comes to condoms, there's no substitute for the real thing.
THE VERDICT: Use a real condom and don't improvise. If you don't have one, don't talk yourself into thinking a piece of plastic wrap or a baggie is going to do the trick, because it won't work. Go to the drug store or visit a health clinic to get some. For maximum pregnancy prevention, use condoms with another form of birth control, be sure to check the expiration date, and follow the instructions carefully every single time.
Stay Teen | Myth vs. Fact: Homemade Condoms
