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how to wear condom

Using a condom correctly is one of the simplest and most effective ways to reduce the risk of pregnancy and many STIs. Below is a clear, step‑by‑step guide plus some extra tips.

Before you start

  • Check the expiry date on the condom packet; expired condoms are more likely to break.
  • Make sure the packet is intact (no tears, no damage, no condom already dried out or sticky).
  • Store condoms in a cool, dry place (not in a hot car or tight wallet for months).
  • Put the condom on before any genital contact, not halfway through sex.

Step‑by‑step: how to wear a condom

  1. Open the packet carefully
    • Push the condom to one side of the packet, then tear along the edge with your fingers.
 * Do not use teeth, scissors, knives, or sharp nails because they can rip the condom.
  1. Make sure the penis is fully hard (erect)
    • Condoms are designed to go on an erect penis; if it’s soft, it won’t stay on properly.
  1. Check which way it unrolls
    • The condom should look like a small “hat” with the rolled rim on the outside.
 * Place it on the tip of the penis and gently try to roll it down; if it doesn’t roll, it’s probably inside out.

 * If you put it on the wrong way and it touched the penis, throw it away and use a new condom (because of possible semen or fluid on it).
  1. If uncircumcised: pull back the foreskin first
    • Gently pull the foreskin back before putting the condom on so it fits smoothly and doesn’t slip off.
  1. Pinch the tip to leave space for semen
    • Using thumb and finger, pinch the reservoir tip (or the plain tip) to remove trapped air and leave a small space for semen.
 * Air bubbles can make the condom more likely to burst.
  1. Roll it all the way down
    • While still pinching the tip with one hand, use the other hand to roll the condom down to the base of the penis.
 * It should fit snugly but not painfully tight.
  1. Add lube if you want
    • You can add a water‑based or silicone‑based lubricant to the outside of the condom to reduce friction and increase comfort.
 * Do _not_ use oil‑based products like Vaseline, baby oil, body lotions, or cooking oils; they damage latex and increase breakage.
  1. During sex
    • Make sure the condom stays in place and does not roll up or slip off.
 * If it comes off or breaks, stop immediately; you may need emergency contraception or STI advice depending on what happened.
  1. After ejaculation
    • While the penis is still hard, hold the rim of the condom at the base and withdraw from your partner.
 * This helps prevent the condom slipping off and spilling semen.
  1. Taking it off and throwing it away
  • Move away from your partner’s body, then carefully slide the condom off, keeping the open end pointing up so semen doesn’t spill.
  • Tie a knot in the condom or wrap it in tissue or toilet paper.
  • Put it in the bin; do not flush condoms down the toilet (they can block plumbing).
  • Use a new condom every time you have sex or if you go again.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Putting the condom on late (after penetration has already started).
  • Not pinching the tip, leaving air in and increasing risk of breakage.
  • Using two condoms at once (“double bagging”); friction between them can make them tear more easily.
  • Reusing a condom—each one is for single use only.
  • Using the wrong type of lubricant with latex condoms (oil‑based products weaken latex).

Quick FAQ

  • Does practising help?
    Yes; many sexual health charities recommend practising putting a condom on (for example on a banana or on yourself in private) so you feel more confident and less awkward in the moment.
  • Do condoms fully protect against STIs and pregnancy?
    No method is 100%, but using condoms correctly every time greatly reduces the risk of many STIs and unintended pregnancy.
  • What if it breaks or slips off?
    You can contact a local sexual health clinic, pharmacy, or doctor about emergency contraception and STI testing or advice.

Important note

If you are under the age of consent where you live or feel pressured into sex, it’s important to talk to a trusted adult or health professional; sex should always be consensual and safe.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.