Freedoms Sexual Health Blog

There’s not much skill involved with putting on a condom, right?  Wrong.

While using condoms properly isn’t particularly difficult once you learn the technique, many men forget some important steps along with way.

This is our step-by-step guide to using condoms the right way.

Check the packaging isn’t split or damaged – and don’t forget to check the use-by date.
Most condom packaging has a jagged edge, which makes it easier to open. Push the condom away from the corner where you’re tearing.

Try not to use your teeth or a sharp object to open the packet. You might damage the condom.  Also be careful with your nails. If they’re too sharp, they can puncture a condom.

Put the condom on the end of the penis with the tip pointing up through the rubber ring. It should look a bit like a woolly hat at this stage. Be careful you don’t have it inside out.

Hold the teat or the tip of the condom between your fingers and roll it out just a little bit.  Give it a good squeeze as you roll it down the penis.  This is really important because you don’t want to have any air trapped inside the condom at all.  An air bubble could burst during sex, causing the condom to pop or split.  This should also leave enough space for the cum.  If the condom is pulled too tight against the head of the penis, an ejaculation can be so forceful that it splits the condom.

Beware of putting lube inside the condom. Some men smear a very small dab of lube on the head of their penis so the condom goes on more comfortably. It’s best not to do this. Lube inside the condom might make it slip off during sex. If you’ve been playing with lube beforehand, wipe the penis dry.

Gently unroll the condom right down to the base of the shaft of the penis. This helps stop it rolling back up again while you’re having sex.

Don’t unroll the condom before you put it on. It will make it harder to get it on. And you’re likely to pull and stretch it.

Never put one condom on top of another. Using two condoms at the same time doesn’t give you twice the protection. In fact, the friction between the two could make
them break.

If you’re going to have sex for more than 30 minutes, you should use a lubricant – one that is water- or silicone-based. Put plenty of lube on the outside of the condom – not just around the top.

If you use a condom for longer than 30 minutes, it may start to wear out.  Change the condom every so often.

Once you’re done, try to get the condom off before completely losing the erection.  Hold the condom securely at the base of your penis when you pull out. This will stop it getting stuck inside and stop cum from leaking out.

Once you’ve used the condom, throw it away. You can’t reuse condoms. Wrap it in a tissue and bin it.  Don’t flush it down the toilet.