Using a condom the right way makes sex safer and reduces the risk of pregnancy and STIs.

Before you start

  • Check the expiry date on the condom packet and don’t use it if it’s out of date or damaged.
  • Store condoms in a cool, dry place (not in a wallet for months, not in direct sun or a hot car).
  • Choose the right type: latex or non‑latex (if you have allergies), and a size that fits snug but not painfully tight.
  • Use only water‑based or silicone‑based lube; oil‑based products (like oils, lotions, petroleum jelly) can damage latex and make it break.

Think of a condom like safety gear: it has to be in good condition, the right size, and used correctly each time.

Step‑by‑step: how to put it on

  1. Open the packet carefully
    • Push the condom to one side of the wrapper, then tear along the edge with your fingers.
 * Don’t use teeth, scissors, or anything sharp; you can accidentally tear the condom.
  1. Check which way it rolls
    • Take the condom out gently; it should look like a little flat “hat” with the rim on the outside.
 * If you try to roll it down and it doesn’t unroll, it’s likely inside out—throw it away and use a new one (pre‑ejaculate can contain sperm and STIs).
  1. Put it on when the penis is hard
    • The penis should be fully erect before you put the condom on, and it should go on before any genital contact (vaginal, oral, or anal).
 * If the person is uncircumcised, gently pull back the foreskin first, then put on the condom.
  1. Pinch the tip to remove air
    • Use your thumb and finger to pinch the tip (the little “nipple” or reservoir) so there’s a small space for semen.
 * This step is important; trapped air can make the condom more likely to burst.
  1. Unroll it all the way down
    • While still pinching the tip, place the condom on the head of the penis and use the other hand to unroll it down to the base.
 * Make sure it’s smoothly rolled down with no big air bubbles or twists.
  1. Use lube if needed
    • You can apply water‑based or silicone lube on the outside of the condom to reduce friction and increase comfort, especially for anal sex.
 * Avoid putting too much lube inside the condom; it can make it more likely to slip off.

Mini‑tip: Practising alone (e.g., putting one on when masturbating) can make you more confident and smoother when you’re with a partner.

During sex

  • Keep the condom on for the entire time from the first genital contact until you finish.
  • If the condom feels like it’s slipping, pause and check; if it comes off or breaks, stop and put on a new one.
  • Don’t use two condoms at once (double‑bagging); friction between them can make them more likely to tear.

After ejaculation: taking it off safely

  1. Hold the base when pulling out
    • After ejaculation, and before the penis gets soft, hold the rim of the condom at the base so it doesn’t slip off.
 * Carefully withdraw from your partner while still holding the base.
  1. Remove and dispose
    • Move away from your partner, then gently pull the condom off, keeping the open end facing up so semen doesn’t spill.
 * Tie a knot or wrap it in tissue and throw it in the trash—**never** flush it down the toilet.
  1. If something goes wrong
    • If the condom breaks, leaks, or slips off inside, consider emergency contraception (to reduce pregnancy risk) and STI testing, depending on the situation.

Common mistakes to avoid

  • Putting it on late (after penetration has already started).
  • Not pinching the tip and leaving air inside.
  • Using oil‑based products with latex condoms.
  • Reusing a condom or using more than one at a time.
  • Turning an inside‑out condom around and using it after it has touched the penis.

Example: Someone opens a condom with their teeth, puts it on halfway through sex, and doesn’t pinch the tip. That combo raises the chance of breakage and less protection, even though they “used a condom.”

A quick note on safety & consent

  • Condoms help protect against pregnancy and many STIs, but they’re not 100% perfect; regular STI check‑ups and talking openly with partners are still important.
  • Using condoms should always be part of a mutual decision, with clear consent and respect for each other’s boundaries.

If you tell me your age and any specific worries (like “I’m nervous I’ll put it on wrong” or “I’m worried about it breaking”), I can tailor the steps and tips more precisely for your situation. Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.