When things get up close and personal, the rule is always “better safe than sorry.” When used correctly condoms are your best defence against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). They are also a highly effective contraceptive.
- Don’t store condoms near heat, in your back pocket or in your purse/wallet because they can get damaged
- Check the expiry date on the condom and the kitemark and/or CE mark is present
- Put a condom on before any sexual contact takes place in case pre-cum touches your partner. This can transmit STIs or contain sperm.
- Take the condom out of the packet carefully. Push the condom to one side of the packet and tear along the serrated edge. Take care not to tear it with jewellery or fingernails – do not open the packet with your teeth.
- If there’s a teat on the end of the condom, use your thumb and forefinger to squeeze the air out of it.
- Gently roll the condom down to the base of the penis.
- If the condom won’t roll down, you’re probably holding it the wrong way round – if this happens, throw the condom away because it may have sperm on it, and try again with a new one.
- After sex, withdraw the penis while it’s still erect – hold the condom onto the base of the penis while you do this.
- Remove the condom from the penis, being careful not to spill any semen.
- Throw the condom away in a bin, not down the toilet.
- Make sure the penis does not touch your partner’s genital area again.
- If you have sex again, use a new condom.
- Never wear 2 condoms at the same time – the friction between the 2 could cause the condoms to split or tear
Lube
Lube is gel or cream that should be used with condoms to prevent them tearing or breaking. It also makes sex much more comfortable and fun for both partners by preventing friction and is great when used for foreplay too. It should always be water based because oil can cause condoms to break really quickly so you should only use lubes designed for sex like the ones provided on the C-Card scheme.
Put lube on the outside of a condom after you’ve put it on and then put some more on your partner’s genitals or anus to make everything more enjoyable for both of you.
Dams
Dams are a square of latex used to protect you against sexually transmitted infections when you’re having oral sex. Place the dam over the area you want to lick (vagina, clitoris, anus) and off you go!
