How Do You Use A Condom?
A condom is a thin, protective latex* barrier that helps prevent pregnancy and protects you from sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and infections (STIs.)
Condoms can be worn over a penis (an external condom) or inside a vagina (an internal condom).
*Most condoms are made out of latex. There are non-latex options available for those who may have a latex allergy. If you think you may have a latex allergy, talk to your health care provider.
Condoms are not very effective on their own for preventing pregnancy (82% effective), but they are the ONLY effective method for preventing STIs.
Quick Tips:
- To help prevent pregnancy and protect you from STIs, condoms should be used during anal, oral and vaginal sex. Every. Single. Time.
- It is your responsibility and your partner’s responsibility to have condoms.
- Condoms can only be used one time. Once you use a condom, throw it away!
- Don’t double up. Only use one condom at a time.
- Condoms do expire, so check the expiration date on the wrapper or box first! Make sure there aren't holes in the packaging before opening a condom. You should be able to feel a little air bubble when you squeeze the wrapper.
- Don’t store condoms in a place where they can be exposed to extreme temperatures, such as in a car or your back pocket.
How Do You Put on an External Condom?
- Open the condom carefully. You don’t want to rip it.
- The rim of the condom should be on the outside so it can unroll easily. It will look like a little hat.
- If you want, you can put a few drops of water-based or silicone lubricant inside the tip of the condom before you put it on. Vaseline or lotion are not good lubricants.
- Roll it on when the penis is erect (hard). The condom must be on completely BEFORE it touches your partner’s mouth or private areas.
- Pinch the condom tip (the top of the hat) and place it on the head of the penis. Leave a little bit of space at the top to collect semen (cum).
- Unroll the condom down the shaft of your penis, all the way to the base.
- After ejaculation (cum), hold the condom rim and pull the penis out. Carefully take off the condom. Do this away from your partner - you do not want to accidentally spill any fluids on them.
- Tie it in a knot and throw the condom away in the garbage. Do not flush a condom - it could clog the pipes.
How Do You Put on an Internal Condom?
- Open the condom carefully. You don’t want to rip it.
- The inner ring with the closed end is placed in the vagina and holds the condom in place. The thin outer ring will stay outside of the body and covers the vaginal opening.
- Hold the condom at the closed end while squeezing the sizes of the inner ring together with your thumb and forefinger. Insert the closed end of the condom into the vagina.
- Inserting the condom is similar to inserting a tampon. Using your finger, push the inner ring up as far as it will go. It will rest against the cervix. The condom will start to expand naturally. You may not even feel it.
- Make sure the condom is not twisted. Don’t forget: the thin outer ring stays outside the body.
- Stop having sex if you feel your partner slip or if the outer ring is pushed into the vagina.
- To remove the condom, gently twist the outer ring and pull the condom out. Do this away from your partner- you do not want to accidentally spill any fluids on them.
- Throw the condom away in the garbage. Do not flush a condom - it could clog the pipes.
How Do You Use a Dental Dam?
A dental dam is a sheet (made of latex or polyurethane) that can be used as a barrier between the mouth and a vagina or anus during oral sex. Click here to learn more about dental dams.