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Male Condoms     

Female Condoms info

Using a male condom is still one of the safest ways to have sex. Why? For these reasons and more:

1. Reliability: Condoms, manufactured in the United States, must meet breakage standards imposed by the Food and Drug Administration. Therefore, they make an effective barrier in preventing body fluid exchange.
2. Affordability: Condoms are generally cheap. A 3 pack of male condoms at your local drug store will cost between $3.00-$5.00. Some bars and clubs have male condom vending machines that sell condoms for as little as 50 cents a piece. Many AIDS Service Organizations and family planning agencies supply male condoms free of charge. Female condoms are more expensive and cost about $2.50 per condom.
3. Convenience: Condoms are small enough to fit in a pocket, and are easy to use. They are available over-the-counter requiring no prescription. Check out our How to Use It section for step by step instructions on how to use condoms, both male latex and female condoms.

How to Use A Male Latex Condom

It may seem odd to go to a web page to get homework; however, practice makes perfect. We suggest you practice putting on a male condom. Many condoms break because people are not using them correctly. Using a condom can be fun and can also become part of foreplay. Learning how to use a male condom is not just a skill for the men. Women should also know how to properly use a male condom, in case their partner does not know how. Men can practice putting a condom on when masturbating. Women can practice putting condoms on their partners or veggies like cucumber or zucchini if they want to learn how to help their partners.

How to put it on:

1. Use a new latex condom with each act of vaginal, anal, or oral sex. Put the condom on before any contact with another person’s month, anus, or vagina.
2. Check the expiration date. Do not use condoms that are expired or condoms that are yellowed, brittle, or sticky.
3. Check the packaging. Make sure the package is not damaged or punctured. Do this by making sure there is small air pouch or “pillow” inside the packaging. Carefully open the package along the edge using your fingers. Opening the package using your teeth, fingernails, or other sharp object can damage the condom.
4. Put the condom on when your or your partner’s penis is erect or hard.
5. Put a drop of water-based lubricant inside the top of the condom. However, be sure the shaft of the penis is free of lubricant in order to keep the condom from slipping off. For more information on lubricants, check the Advice on Lube section.
6. Hold on to the top half-inch tip of the condom. This makes a small space for the semen (cum) to go after ejaculation. Too much air in the tip may cause the condom to break.
7. Put the condom on the head of the erect penis and unroll in the correct direction. If the condom does not unroll easily, it is upside down. This may expose your partner to bacteria or virus because it can result in exchange of body fluids. Throw out the condom and start over. Be sure to put the condom on before the penis touches your partner. Pre-cum can carry enough bacteria or viruses to cause HIV or another sexually transmitted infection. If your or your partner’s penis is uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin of the penis before unrolling the condom.
8. Squeeze any air out of the top of the rubber (friction against air bubbles can cause the condom breaks).
9. Roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis. If the penis is uncircumcised, push the foreskin forward again after the condom is place. This will allow the foreskin to move without breaking the condom.
10. Gently smooth out any extra air.
11. Use a water-based lubricant on the outside of the condom. This will reduce friction and make it less likely the condom will break.
12. If the condom breaks or falls off, stop immediately, withdraw carefully, and put on a new condom.

When you're finished (after ejaculation):

1. Hold the condom rim firmly at the base of the penis while pulling out so it does not leak or fall off.
2. Pull out gently while the penis is still hard.
3. Wrap the condom in a tissue and throw it away where others will not handle it. Do not flush the condom down the toilet because it may cause sewer problems.

REMEMBER:

Never use the same condom twice.

It’s a good idea to wash up with soap and water after sex.

Never use two condoms at the same time. Friction between the condoms may cause them to break.

Some Advice on Lubricants

1. Always use a water-based lubricant or jelly (such as K-Y).
2. Water-based means that NO oil or grease is in the lubricant. Lubes that have oil or grease (Vaseline, Crisco, mineral oil, baby oil, massage oil, butter and most hand creams) can weaken the latex and can make the condom break.
3. Put only one drop of jelly or lube on the inside top of the condom. The rest should go outside the condom. Too much lubricant can cause the condom to slip off.
4. It is okay to use a lot of lubricant on the outside of the condom. This will make the condom slide easier and less likely to break. Put some lubricant on the anus and/or the vagina, too.
5. If the water-based lube becomes dry during sex add more lube.

Do Condom Expiration Dates Matter?
Of course they do!
Here are some tips to keep your condoms fresh.

1. Keep unopened condoms away from heat, sun, moisture, and fluorescent light. **** WHY? Most companies print an expiration date on the box or the individual condom wrappers.
2. When stored in a cool, dry place, condoms are good for about two years from the date they were made. It’s a good idea not to use a condom if the expiration date is less than a year away.
3. Do not keep condom in the glove compartment of a car or in a wallet or pocketbook for more than a few hours. Heat, cold, and general wear and tear can weaken them and cause the condom to break.
4. Condoms with current dates are not necessarily OK to use. Always throw out a condom if the packaging is broken, if the condom feels dry or brittle, or if there is no air seal (or “pillow”).

Allergies to Latex or Spermicides?

Latex and spermicides have been found to cause allergic reactions in some individuals. Spermicides are chemicals that kill sperm. Condoms can be purchased pre-lubricated with or without a spermicidal lubricate (Nonoxynol-9). Allergies to spermicides can cause redness and itchiness at the site of contact. Allergic reactions such as these can cause increased risk for infection and transmission. Should an individual experience these symptoms, they should avoid coming in contact with spermicides. If a spermicide is used, it should never be in place of a condom.

If an individuals is allergic to latex they should try using plastic polyurethane condoms. This type of condom does not cause allergic reactions nor does temperature changes, humidity, or exposure to fluorescent light affect its effectiveness. Polyurethane condoms are stronger than latex. However, they are more expensive and not as easy to find as latex male condoms. The Female condom is made of polyurethane. Natural skin condoms (lamb’s skin condoms) are NOT effective in stopping the transmission of HIV because they have tiny holes in which bacteria can pass through.

Which condom is best?

Choosing which condom to use can be confusing because there are hundreds of different varieties, styles, and sizes. Condoms may be clear or tinted, ribbed, dry, powered, lubricated, etc. Some even have a small space or a “reservoir” at the tip built in to collect semen. Latex condoms are strong and most will stretch to fit any size penis. Try different brands, styles, and sizes to determine which condom is best for you. Polyurethane condoms are made out of plastic and are generally stronger then latex. Natural skin or natural membrane condoms are NOT effective in preventing HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, although they are effective for pregnancy prevention.

This information is designed for educational purposes only. If you have questions, talk to your health professional or an HIV/AIDS risk reduction specialist. To find a health professional or service agency in your area of Pennsylvania, please use our online resource directory.