« back to teens & hiv

What is the proper way to use a condom?

• You need to use a new condom every time you have sexual intercourse. Never use the same condom twice.
• Only put on a condom once there is a partial or full erection.
• Open the condom packet at one corner being careful not to tear the condom with your fingernails, your teeth, or through being too rough. Make sure the packet and condom appear to be in good condition, and check that the expiry date has not passed.
• Place the rolled condom over the tip of the hard penis, whilst pinching the tip of the condom enough to leave a half inch space for semen to collect. If the penis is not circumcised, pull back the foreskin before rolling on the condom.
• Roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis, and smooth out any air bubbles. (Air bubbles can cause a condom to break.)
• If you want to use some extra lubrication, put it on the outside of the condom. Always use a water-based lubricant (such as KY Jelly or Liquid Silk) with latex condoms, because an oil-based lubricant (such as Vaseline or baby oil) will cause the latex to break.
• The man wearing the condom doesn't always have to be the one putting it on; it can be quite a nice thing for his partner to do.
• If you decide to have anal intercourse after vaginal intercourse, or vaginal intercourse after anal intercourse, you should consider changing the condom.
• When you have ejaculated or finished having sex, withdraw the penis before it softens. Make sure you hold the condom against the base of the penis while you withdraw, so that the semen doesn't spill.