Home > Health Guides by Topic > Sexuality & Sexual Health > Contraception/Birth Control > How to Use a Condom How to Use a Condom:
A Guide for Teens
If you and your partner are considering having sex, it’s a good idea to know how to protect yourselves from STD’s or an unplanned pregnancy. Condoms, when used correctly, are one form of protection from some STD’s and pregnancy. Talking with your partner before engaging in sex will greatly increase the likelihood that you’ll use a condom correctly each and every time you have sex. Knowing how to use a condom might make the conversation with your partner easier since you’ll know the facts. Read on to find out:
What is the condom and how does it work?
How can I talk with my partner about condoms?
What should I do with a used condom?
Does it matter which type of condom I use?
How effective is the condom against pregnancy?
How effective is the condom against STDs?
Where should I keep unused condoms?
How long are condoms good for?
What if the condom breaks or tears?
What if the condom comes off inside of my partner's vagina?
What if my partner or I have an allergic reaction when we use a condom?
Do we need to use other forms of contraception with the male condom?
What is a condom and how does it work? 
A male condom is a sheath worn over the penis during sex (intercourse). It prevents pregnancy by preventing the man's semen from entering the women's vagina, so sperm can't reach a woman's egg. Condoms also protect males and females from getting sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV. They act as a barrier to some sexually transmitted diseases, so these organisms cannot pass from one partner to another. There are dozens of sizes, styles, shapes and features of condoms to choose from. Condoms can be made out of latex, polyurethane, or lambskin (natural). Lambskin condoms are not recommended for protection against STDs.
Condoms may be lubricated or unlubricated. Some contain spermicides (chemicals that kill sperm) and some do not; it is best to use condom without spermicide since there is less irritation.
How can I talk with my partner about condoms?
Although it might be difficult at first, talking with your partner about condoms will greatly increase the chance that you’ll use a condom correctly each and every time you have sex (vaginal, anal, or oral). Chances are, your partner has some of the same questions about condoms that are going through your head, so talking about them will make you both feel more comfortable. It may feel awkward at first, to talk about condoms, but it is definitely the healthy thing to do, for you and your partner. Don’t let embarrassment put you in a risky situation—your health is more important! If you are not comfortable talking about condoms with your partner, you may not be ready to have sex.
How do I use a condom?
Follow these steps and see the image below:
After you have ejaculated, you should pull out while your penis is still hard, since the condom can easily slip off when the erection is lost. You should hold the condom at the base of your penis while withdrawing so semen doesn't spill out. Gently, roll the condom toward the tip of your penis to remove.
What should I do with a used condom?
You should wrap the used condom in a tissue and throw it away in a waste container. Do not flush it down the toilet, since it can clog plumbing. Condoms cannot be reused; so use one condom for each time you have sexual intercourse and then throw it away.
Where can I get condoms?
Condoms are very cheap (about $1.00 each), and can be bought at drug stores, many campus bookstores, and are sometimes offered for free at family planning clinics. Although some teens have reported being asked for ID by drug store clerks, there is no legal age requirement for buying condoms. You can also get them through Student Health Services at many colleges. Talk to your health care provider.
Does it matter which type of condom I use?
Yes! The best type of condom to use is one made out of latex. It provides the best protection against both pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. However, if you are allergic to latex, polyurethane condoms are still a good method. They provide just about the same protection against pregnancy and also give some protection against STDs, although they break and slip more often than latex condoms. Lambskin condoms, or natural condoms, are effective against pregnancy, but not effective in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases. It's up to you if you use lubricated or unlubricated condoms, although most teens prefer lubricated.
How effective is the condom against pregnancy?
If you follow the instructions above perfectly, condom use is 97% effective in preventing pregnancy. This means that if 100 couples use the male condom all the time and always use it correctly, 3 women will become pregnant in a year.
It's obvious that the condom is most effective against pregnancy when it is used all the time and always used correctly. If you use condoms, but do not use them perfectly, then a woman is much more likely to become pregnant. With “typical use,” at least 14 women will become pregnant each year.
How effective is the condom against STDs?
The answer to this question partly depends on which type of condom is used. Latex condoms provide excellent protection against some STDs. Polyurethane condoms provide some protection against STDs, although it is still not clear just how much. Remember, lambskin condoms, or natural condoms, don't protect against STDs. The pores are too large to protect against the small particles that cause some STDs.
Another answer to this question also depends on which type of STD. Latex condoms are effective against STDs that travel in bodily fluids (blood or semen), such as the HIV/AIDS virus, hepatitis, chlamydia, and gonorrhea. Condoms are less effective against STDs that are caused by organisms that live on the genitals, such as syphilis, herpes and the Human Papilloma Virus (also known as genital warts).
Where should I keep unused condoms?
Keep unused condoms in a dry, dark place at room temperature. Extreme heat or cold can weaken the material. Sunlight or humidity can also break down latex, causing condoms to break or tear more easily. Condoms should not be carried in a wallet or stored in a car glove compartment for more than two weeks, because the material will weaken and be more likely to break or tear.
How long are condoms good for?
Always check the date on the box. Some condoms are marked by the manufacture date (MFG= manufacture date). You can use these condoms for up to four years after the date of manufacture. Other condoms are marked EXP, which means expiration date. You should not use condoms anytime after the expiration date. If you are not sure how old the condom is, throw it away and use a new one. Never use condoms that are brittle, sticky, damaged, or an unusual color.
What if the condom breaks or tears?
First of all, don't panic. You should withdraw your penis immediately. (If you are going to continue having sex, make sure that you use a new condom.) Your partner should insert contraceptive jelly or foam into her vagina if she is not using a hormone contraceptive (like birth control pills or the patch). If you and your partner are concerned about pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases, contact your health care provider immediately. Your partner should strongly consider taking Emergency Contraception to prevent pregnancy. Click here to learn about emergency contraception and where to get it. If your partner cannot get in touch with her health care provider, she can call the Emergency Contraception Hotline (1-888-NOT-2-LATE).
How often do condoms break?
Condoms hardly ever break if they are stored and used correctly. Couples using polyurethane condoms are 9 times more likely to experience breakage than those using latex condoms. When condoms break, it is usually because space for semen was not left at the tip of the condom, the condoms are out-of-date, they have been exposed to heat or sunlight, or they have been torn by teeth or fingernails. Also, using oil-based lubricants, rather than water-based, weakens latex, causing condoms to break. So if you store and use condoms properly, it is very unlikely that your condom will break.
What if the condom comes off inside of my partner's vagina?
Your partner can usually reach it with a finger in her vagina. If not, she should contact her health care provider for an appointment.
What if my partner or I have an allergic reaction when we use a condom?
Some people may have an allergic reaction to condoms. It could be due to the spermicide or latex. If you think it might be the spermicide, use a condom without spermicide. It is best not to use condoms with spermicide anyway. If you think it might be due to the latex, you should try a polyurethane male or female condom. Talk to your health care provider.
Do we need to use other forms of contraception with a condom?
It's a good idea to always use two forms of contraception to increase protection against pregnancy, such as birth control pills and condoms.
Updated 2/5/2008
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