Health Tips & News

How To Correctly Use Condoms | Male & Female Condoms

November 29, 2023
10:20 am

Correctly using male (also called external) condoms and other barriers like female (also called internal) condoms and dental dams, every time, can reduce (though not eliminate) the risk of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and viral hepatitis. They can also provide protection against other diseases that may be transmitted through sex like Zika and Ebola. Using male (external) and female (internal) condoms correctly, every time, can also help prevent pregnancy.

This website provides information for both consumers and public health professionals on the correct use of male (external) and female (internal) condoms and dental dams, as well male (external) condom effectiveness for STDs, and links to additional resources.

How to Use Condoms and Other Barriers

The Right Way To Use A Male (External) Condom

The Right Way To Use A Male Condom. Do use a condom every time you have sex. Do put on a condom before having sex. Do read the package and check the expiration date. Do make sure there are no tears or defects. Do store condoms in a cool, dry place. Do use latex or polyurethane condoms. Do use water-based or silicone-based lubricant to prevent breakage.

Condom Dos and Don’ts

DO use a condom every time you have sex.
DO put on a condom before having sex.
DO read the package and check the expiration date.
DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
DO store condoms in a cool, dry place.
DO use latex or polyurethane condoms.
DO use water-based or silicone-based lubricant to prevent breakage.

DON’T store condoms in your wallet as heat and friction can damage them.
DON’T use nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide), as this can cause irritation.
DON’T use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil because they will cause the condom to break.
DON’T use more than one condom at a time.
DON’T reuse a condom.

How To Put On and Take Off a Male (External) Condom

Carefully open and remove condom from wrapper.

Place condom on the head of the erect, hard penis. If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first.

Pinch air out of the tip of the condom.

Unroll condom all the way down the penis.

After sex but before pulling out, hold the condom at the base. Then pull out, while holding the condom in place.

Carefully remove the condom and throw it in the trash.

The Right Way to Use Female (also called Internal) Condom

Female (Internal) Condom Dos and Don’ts

DO use a female (internal) condom from start to finish, every time you have vaginal sex.*
DO read the condom package insert and check the expiration date.
DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
DO use lubricant to help prevent the condom from slipping and tearing.
DO store condoms in a cool, dry place.

*Female (Internal) condoms can also be used for anal sex and follow the same general guidelines as those for vaginal sex outlined below.

DON’T use a male (external) condom with an female (internal) condom, as this can cause tearing.
DON’T reuse a condom.
DON’T flush condoms as they may clog the toilet.

How To Insert and Remove a Female (Internal) Condom

Carefully open and remove the condom from package to prevent tearing.

Hands holding female condom at the thick, inner ring.

The thick, inner ring with closed end is used for placing in the vagina and holds condom in place. The thin, outer ring remains outside of body, covering vaginal opening.

Fingers squeezing thick, inner ring of female condom to prepare to insert it.

Find a comfortable position. While holding outside of condom at closed end, squeeze sides of inner ring together with your thumb and forefinger and insert into vagina. It is similar to inserting a tampon.

Finger inserting female condom into vagina.

Using your finger, push inner ring as far up as it will go until it rests against cervix. The condom will expand naturally and you may not feel it.

Hands positioning female condom in place to cover vulva.

Be sure condom is not twisted. The thin, outer ring should remain outside vagina.

Female condom in place with penis inserted into vagina.

Guide partner’s penis into opening of the condom. Stop intercourse if you feel penis slip between condom and walls of vagina or if outer ring is pushed into vagina.

To remove, gently twist outer ring and pull condom out of vagina.

Throw away the condom in trash after using it one time. Do not reuse.

How To Use A Dental Dam As A Barrier For Oral Sex

Dental dams are latex or polyurethane sheets used between the mouth and vagina or anus during oral sex. Ready-to-use dental dams can be purchased online.

Dental Dam Dos and Don’ts

DO use a new latex or polyurethane dental dam every time you have oral sex.
DO read the package and check the expiration date.
DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
DO put on before starting oral sex and keep it on until finished.
DO use water-based or silicone-based lubricant to prevent breakage.
DO store dental dams in a cool, dry place.

DON’T reuse a dental dam.
DON’T stretch a dental dam, as this can cause it to tear.
DON’T use nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide), which can cause irritation.
DON’T use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil because they will cause the dental dam to break.
DON’T flush dental dams down the toilet as they may clog it.