Latex or polyurethane condoms help reduce the risk of STIs by preventing the exchange of fluids including semen, vaginal secretions, and blood during vaginal, anal or oral sex. They also provide some protection against STIs which are transmitted via skin to skin contact, as long as the affected area is covered by the condom. A condom helps prevent pregnancy by preventing semen from entering the vagina. 

Both you and your partner should know how to use a condom. If you have a penis, you can practice the steps to putting on a condom when you are alone. Masturbating while wearing a condom is a good way to get used to the feel and fit as well. If you don't have a penis, you can practice the steps below on a banana, zucchini or other similarly shaped object. This preparation will make the process smoother and easier when you use a condom with a partner.

The first thing to know is that you put the condom on when the penis is erect, before there is any contact between the penis and another person's body. Fluid released from the penis during the early stages of an erection can transmit STIs and may contain sperm.

• Open carefully

  • Check the expiration date. To ensure the package has not been punctured, pinch the package to feel for the air bubble. Do not open the condom wrapper with scissors or your teeth. If the condom is brittle or sticky, throw it out and get a new one.

• Apply lubricant

  • Lubricant will reduce the risk of your condom breaking during use. You can apply a tiny amount of lube to the inside tip of the condom and to the outside of it once you roll it down. Be careful when applying lube to the inside of the condom. Too much lube could cause the condom to slip off. NEVER use oil-based lubricants like hand cream, Vaseline, massage oil, or butter. These weaken latex condoms quickly, making them much more likely to leak or break. ONLY use water-based or silicone lubricants like Astroglide, Pjur, Wet or Liquid Silk.

• Pinch, place, & roll down

  • Pinch air from the tip of the condom with your thumb and forefinger. This will reduce the chance of the condom breaking by leaving space at the tip of the condom to hold the ejaculate and preventing an air bubble from being trapped at the tip. Place the rolled up condom against the end of the hard penis. Unroll the condom down to the base of your penis with your other hand. If the condom was placed on the penis, but couldn't roll down because it was inverted, make sure a new condom is used. If you flip the condom over, there is a chance that fluids from the tip of the penis are now on the outside of the condom.

• Withdraw

  • Immediately after ejaculation and while the penis is still erect, hold the rim of the condom securely at the base of the penis and pull out. This will keep the condom from slipping off inside your partner and keep any semen from being spilled.

• Don't Flush

  • Remove the condom from the penis, away from your partner's body. Wrap the condom in tissue and throw it away. Do not flush condoms down the toilet. They're not biodegradable and could block up your plumbing.

A new condom should be used each and every time you have vaginal, oral or anal sex. Never reuse a condom. For increased protection against breakage and against transmission of infection, use a new condom or dental dam when you switch between types of sexual activity (for example, from anal sex to vaginal sex). 

People who have an allergy to latex can use a condom made of polyurethane plastic instead. A polyurethane condom has a looser fit, a longer shelf life and reportedly transmits more body heat through the condom.

Internal condoms (also called Reality or female condoms) are another option for people with latex allergy because they too are made of polyurethane rather than latex. You can visit our page on internal condoms for more information.