1. Open the condom package at one corner being careful not to tear the condom with your fingernails, your teeth, or through being too rough. Make sure the package and condom appear to be in good condition, and check that if there is an expiry date that the date has not passed.
  2. Place the rolled condom over the tip of the hard penis, and if the condom does not have a reservoir top, pinch the tip of the condom enough to leave a half inch space for semen to collect. If the man is not circumcised, then pull back the foreskin before rolling on the condom.
  3. Pinch the air out of the condom tip with one hand and unroll the condom over the penis with the other hand. Roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis, and smooth out any air bubbles. (Air bubbles can cause a condom to break.)
  4. If you want to use some extra lubrication, put it on the outside of the condom. But always use a water-based lubricant with latex condoms, as an oil-based lubricant will cause the latex to break.
  • Why are condoms lubricated? Back to top
  • Some condoms are not lubricated at all, some are lubricated with a silicone substance, and some condoms have a water-based lubricant. The lubrication on condoms aims to make the condom easier to put on and more comfortable to use. Additional lubrication can also help prevent condom breakage.  Never use oil based lubricants with condoms.
  • Why are there so many types of condoms? Back to top
  • Condoms come in a variety of shapes. Most have a reservoir tip. Condoms may be regular shaped (with straight sides), form fit (indented below the head of the penis), baggy head condoms have a loose fit over the head of the penis, or they may be flared (wider over the head of the penis).
    It's up to you which shape you choose. All of the differences in shape are designed to suit different personal preferences and enhance pleasure.
  • What about condom size? Back to top
  • Condoms are made in different lengths and widths, and many manufacturers produce varying sizes.
    There is no standard length for condoms, though those made from natural rubber will in addition always stretch if necessary to fit the length of the man's erect penis.
    The width of a condom can also vary. Some condoms have a slightly smaller width to give a "closer" fit, whereas others will be slightly larger. Condom makers have realized that different lengths and widths are needed and are increasingly broadening their range of sizes.
  • How can I check to see if a condom is safe to use? Back to top
  • Condoms have an expiration (Exp) date or manufacture (MFG) date on the box or individual package that tells you when it is safe to use the condom until. It's important to check this when you use a condom. You should also make sure the package and the condom appear to be in good condition.
    Condoms can deteriorate if not stored properly as they are affected by both heat and light. So it's best not to use a condom that has been stored in your back pocket, your wallet, or the glove compartment of your car. If a condom feels sticky or very dry you shouldn't use it as the packaging has probably been damaged.
  • What condoms should you use for anal intercourse? Back to top
  • With anal intercourse more strain is placed on the condom. You can use stronger condoms (which are thicker) but standard condoms are just as effective as long as they are used correctly with plenty of lubricant. Condoms with a lubricant containing Nonoxynol 9 should NOT be used for anal sex as Nonoxynol 9 damages the lining of the rectum increasing the risk of HIV and other STD transmission.
  • Is using a condom effective? Back to top
  • If used properly, a condom is very effective at reducing the risk of being infected with HIV during sexual intercourse. Using a condom also provides protection against other sexually transmitted diseases, and protection against pregnancy. In the laboratory, latex condoms are very effective at blocking transmission of HIV because the pores in latex condoms are too small to allow the virus to pass through. However, outside of the laboratory condoms are less effective because people do not always use condoms properly.

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