Take charge! Properly protect yourself – use a condom correctly!
Written by Margery Katalinich
External (sometimes referred to as ‘male’) and Internal (sometimes referred to as ‘female’) condoms are on the market. Protect yourself by not only having the product you need, but by knowing how to use it correctly to achieve effectiveness. Prepare yourself, don’t count on your partner to have the product, or assume they will, be sure you have what is needed at all times! Remember, condoms are only as effective as the user makes them, so it’s important to make sure proper condom usage is followed every time.
The CDC confirms that STI rates are on the rise. Now more than ever is the time to talk to your teen about safe sex.
External (male) How to properly begin usage
1. Wash your hands
2. Pick up condom – check expiration date and condition of packaging
(if expired or not sealed, discard)
3. Open package carefully, avoid tearing condom
4. Place the condom on erect penis, if uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first
5. Pinch air out of the tip of the condom
6. Unroll condom all the way down the penis
How to properly complete usage
1. Before withdraw, hold condom at the base and continue to hold during withdrawal
2. Carefully remove condom from penis and discard in trash – do not reuse
Internal (female) How to properly begin usage
1. Wash your hands
2. Pick up condom – check expiration date and condition of packaging
(if expired or not sealed, discard)
3. Open package carefully, avoid tearing condom
4. Spread the condom noting both sides of item
a. Closed end with inner ring
b. Open end with outer ring
5. Find a comfortable position, such as laying or squatting. While holding outside of condom at closed end, squeeze sides of inner ring together with thumb and forefinger, and insert into vagina, similar to inserting a tampon
6. Use finger to push inner ring up as far up as it will go until it rests again the cervix, ensure condom is not twisted
7. Make certain outer ring remains outside the vagina for entirety of usage
8. Guide penis into opening of condom
How to properly complete usage
3. Gently twist outer ring
4. Carefully pull condom from vagina and discard in trash – do not reuse
CDC says…
To achieve maximum protection by using condoms, they must be used consistently and correctly.
Do’s…and…Don’ts
DO: Use a condom every time you have sex
DON'T: Store in wallet, heat and friction may damage
DO: Read the package expiration date
DON'T: Use spermicide, may cause irritation
DO: Check packaging for good condition
DON'T: Reuse, condoms are one time use only
DO: Store in a cool, dry place
DON'T: Flush, may clog your toilet or pipes
DO: Use latex or polyurethane material
DON'T: Use a male condom and female condom at the same time, may cause tearing
DO: Use water-based or silicone-based lubricant
DON'T: Use oil-based products such as baby oil or petroleum jelly, may cause tearing