Open the condom package at one corner. Be careful not to tear the condom with your fingernails, your teeth, or through being too rough. Make sure the package has a small air bubble inside before opening it, and check the expiration date to see if the date has not passed.
Place the rolled condom over the tip of the hard penis, pinch the tip of the condom enough to leave a half-inch space for semen to collect. If the man is not circumcised, then pull back the foreskin before rolling on the condom.
Pinch the air out of the condom tip with one hand and unroll the condom over the penis with the other hand. Roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis, and smooth out any air bubbles. If there are any air bubbles or the tip of the condom is not pinched free of air, the condom can break.
If you want to use some extra lubrication, put it on the outside of the condom. But always use a water-based lubricant with latex condoms. Some water-based lubricants are KY Jelly or Liquid Silk. DO NOT USE oil-based lubricants, such as lotion, massage oil, etc. on a latex condom.
Oil-based products weaken the latex and will cause the condom to break.
Why should I use a condom?
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Condoms are the only form of birth control that you can use that help to stop the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. You should use a new condom every time you have sexual intercourse and oral sex if you don’t know your partner’s status. Never use the same condom twice, and if you go from anal intercourse to vaginal intercourse, the condom should be removed and a new one put on. The condom should be put on after the penis is erect and before any contact with your partner, and removed before the penis becomes soft to avoid any semen spilling out.
Here are some more good reasons why you should use a condom:
- Condoms are the only contraceptive that also helps prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including HIV, when used properly and consistently.
- Condoms are a reliable method of birth control when used properly and consistently.
- Condoms are available in various shapes, colors, flavors, textures and sizes!
- Condoms are widely available in pharmacies, supermarkets and convenience stores. You don't need a prescription or have to visit a doctor.
Condoms are only needed when you are having sex, unlike some other contraceptives which require you to take or have them all of the time.
- Condoms make an erection last longer than you would without the use of one.
Remember – the best way to protect yourself from HIV is to abstain from sexual activity and never share needles. If you choose to have sex, always use protection!
How effective are condoms?
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If used properly, a condom is 98% effective at preventing being infected with HIV during sexual intercourse. Using a condom also provides protection against other sexually transmitted diseases, and protection against pregnancy. Latex condoms are very effective at blocking transmission of HIV because the pores in latex condoms are too small to allow the virus to pass through.
Are there different types of condoms?
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A number of different types of condoms are now available. What is generally called a condom is the 'male' condom, a sheath or covering which fits over a man's penis and which is closed at one end. Most of the condoms distributed in the United States are latex condoms, but there are non-latex condoms available, made out of polyurethane. Both latex and polyurethane condoms protect against HIV. Condoms all vary in sizes and shapes. There are also multiple colors of condoms.
There are also “natural” or “lambskin” condoms available. These condoms DO NOT protect against HIV!
What is the female condom?
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There is also a female condom (or vaginal sheath), which is used by a woman and which fits inside her vagina. This is also made out of polyurethane and can be worn up to 12 hours before intercourse. The plastic ring that keeps the condom intact in the vagina can be removed and the condom can be used for anal sex instead.
How can I protect myself when having oral sex?
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When giving oral sex to a guy, you can use an unlubricated condom. Some condoms even come in flavors for just this reason! Dental dams are also used for oral sex on females, or for oral contact with a man or woman’s anus. A dental dam is a thin sheet of latex that covers the vaginal area. It blocks out any vaginal secretions and discharge if the female has an STD. It can also be used during the women’s menstrual period to avoid getting the blood in the partner’s mouth. This is important to use because HIV is transmitted through oral sex.
The lubrication on condoms also varies. Some condoms are not lubricated at all, and some condoms have a water-based lubricant. The lubrication on condoms aims to make the condom easier to put on and more comfortable to use. Some lubricated condoms are also available with a spermicide added. For some people the use of spermicide can cause reaction that can result in little sores in the walls of the vagina, which can actually make the transmission of HIV more likely.
