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How to Use a Condom

What to know

  • Condoms and other barriers are used during sexual intercourse to reduce the probability of pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.
  • This page contains sexually graphic images and may not be suitable for some audiences.
Male (external) condoms of various colors in a 2x3 grid.

The right way to use an external condom (male)

Steps and images showing the right way to use a male external condom.
The right way to use a male external condom.

External condom don'ts

  • DON'T store condoms in your wallet, as heat and friction can damage them.
  • DON'T use nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide), as this can cause irritation.
  • DON'T use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil, because they will cause the condom to break.
  • DON'T use more than one condom at a time.
  • DON'T reuse a condom.

How to put on and take off a male (external) condom

A condom removed from condom wrapper. Before sex, carefully open and remove condom from wrapper.
Before sex - Carefully open and remove condom from wrapper.
Hand placing condom on tip of penis. Before sex, place condom on the head of penis. If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first.
Before sex - Place condom on the head of penis.
Hand pinching air out of the tip of the condom. Before sex, pinch air out of the tip of the condom.
Before sex - Pinch air out of the tip of the condom.
Hand rolling condom down the penis. Before sex, unroll condom all the way down the penis.
Before sex - Unroll condom all the way down the penis.
Hand holding the base of the condom while pulling out the penis. After sex - Before pulling out, hold the condom at the base, then pull out while holding the condom in place.
After sex - Before pulling out, hold the condom at the base, then pull out while holding the condom in place.
Hand removing condom from penis and throwing away in the trash. After sex, carefully remove the condom and throw it in the trash.
After sex - Carefully remove the condom and throw it in the trash.

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Content Source:
National Center for HIV, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Prevention