Condoms and Prevention

Condoms—Do They Really Work?
Consistently and Correctly—What does that mean?
Condoms Do’s and Don’ts
Top 10 Reasons to Use a Condom
The RIGHT Way to Put On a Condom
The Female Condom—Really?
Who Should Bring the Condoms?

Condoms—Do They Really Work?

Latex condoms work really well in stopping most STDs from being passed from an infected partner to another when they are used consistently and correctly every time a person has oral, vaginal or anal sex. Some people are allergic to latex condoms, so there are polyurethane (plastic) condoms that also protect against STDs. Lambskin or animal-skin condoms do not protect against STDs and should not be used.

Some STDs, like genital herpes or genital warts, can cause lesions (blisters, bumps, sores or warts) in areas of the genitals NOT covered or protected by a latex condom. Using a latex condom still gives the best protection against STDs for a person who is sexually active. The only way to be 100 percent sure of not getting an STD is not to have sex.

Consistently and Correctly—What does that mean?

Consistently and correctly means that a person makes sure they use a latex condom every time they have oral, vaginal or anal sex (consistently) and put it on and use it the right way (correctly).

DO’s:

1. DO use only latex or polyurethane (plastic) condoms.
2. DO keep condoms in a cool, dry place.
3. DO put the condom on an erect (hard) penis before there is any contact with a partner’s genitals.
4. DO use plenty of water-based lubricant (like KY JellyÒ or AstroglideÒ ) with latex condoms. This reduces friction (dry rubbing) and helps prevent the condom from tearing.
5. DO squeeze the air out of the tip of the condom when rolling it over the erect penis. This allows room for the ejaculate (cum).
6. DO hold the condom in place at the base of the penis before withdrawing (pulling out) after sex.
7. DO throw the condom away after it’s been used.

DON’Ts:

1. DON'T use out of date condoms. Check the expiration date carefully. Old condoms can be dry, brittle or weakened and can break more easily.
2. DON'T unroll the condom before putting it on the erect penis.
3. DON’T leave condoms in hot places—like your wallet or in your car.
4. DON’T use oil-based products, like baby or cooking oils, hand lotion or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline®) as lubricants with latex condoms. The oil weakens latex and can cause condoms to break.
5. DON’T use your fingernails or teeth when opening a condom wrapper. It’s very easy to tear the condom inside. If you do tear a condom while opening the wrapper, throw that condom away and get a new one.
6. DON’T reuse a condom. Always use a new condom for each kind of sex you have.

Top 10 Reasons to Use a Latex Condom:

10. Latex condoms give you control over your body and can help protect your health.

9. You don’t need a prescription to buy condoms.

8. Latex condoms don’t cost a lot of money or are free at some clinics and health departments.

7. Latex condoms are easy to find in supermarkets, drug stores and all sorts of other stores.

6. You don’t need your parents’ permission to buy latex condoms.

5. Using latex condoms can help a male partner last longer before ejaculating (coming).

4. Men and women can buy and use latex condoms whenever they need them.

3. Using latex condoms helps prevent unplanned pregnancy.

2. Using latex condoms helps prevent the spread of most STDs from one partner to another.

And the NUMBER ONE reason for using a latex condom is:

1. Using latex condoms shows you care about your sexual health and about your partner.

The Right Way to Put On a Condom:

Believe it or not, there is a right way and a wrong way to put on a latex condom.

1. Carefully open the condom wrapper. Do not use your teeth or fingernails to tear open the wrapper.
2. Remove the condom from the wrapper. Many have a small nipple-like tip at the center of a latex ring.
3. Place the latex condom on the head of the erect (hard) penis.
4. If the penis is uncircumcised--that is, having a foreskin covering the head--pull the foreskin back before putting on the condom. Once the condom is on, slide the foreskin forward so it is more comfortable during sex.
5. Place a couple of drops of water-based lubricant in the tip of the condom. Squeeze the tip between thumb and forefinger. This forces the air out and leaves room for the ejaculate (cum) later.
6. Gently roll the latex ring down the entire length of the erect (hard) penis. If the condom DOES NOT roll, then throw the condom away and get a new one. NEVER unroll and re-roll a condom before using it.
7. Use more water-based lubricant on the outside of the condom before having sex.
8. Once the condom has been used, carefully hold the condom in place at the base of the penis before withdrawing. The penis goes soft soon after ejaculation so be careful not to let the condom slip off and spill. Throw the used condom away. Always use a new condom for each kind of sex you have.

Be sure to check out the Do’s and Don’ts section for some other helpful hints about using condoms.

Who Should Bring the Condoms?

If you are planning to have sex it’s up to you to bring the condoms! It doesn’t matter if you are male or female, it’s important to take responsibility for your own sexual health—and using latex condoms the right way every time you have sex is a great way to do that!

If YOU remember the condoms, it doesn’t matter if your partner forgot! It takes away the excuse for not using them and gives YOU the power and control over your own body. But most of all, it shows that you care about your sexual health—and theirs.