Getting Ready, Choosing the Right Condom

A number of different types of condom are now available. What is generally called a condom is the "male" condom, a sheath or covering which fits over a man's penis, and which is closed at one end.

There is also now a female condom, or vaginal pouch, which is used by a woman and which fits inside her vagina. The rest of this page is about the male condom.

What are condoms made of, and what shapes are there?

Condoms are made out of latex (rubber), plastic or animal tissue. If possible you should use a latex condom as these are the most effective against viruses such as HIV, and in most countries they are the type most readily available.

Condoms come in a variety of shapes. Most have a reservoir tip although some do have a plain tip. Condoms may be regular shaped (with straight sides), form fit (indented just below the glans or "head" of the penis), or they may be flared (wider over the glans). In addition some condoms are textured with ribs or bumps. Condoms also come in a variety of colors.

The lubrication on condoms also varies. Some condoms are not lubricated at all, some are lubricated with a silicone substance, and some condoms have a water-based lubricant. Many lubricated condoms are also now available with a spermicidal (Nonoxynol 9) added.

The lubrication on condoms aims to make the condom easier to put on and more comfortable to use. A spermicidal lubricant also aims to provide an additional level of protection should leakage occur.

What shape should I choose? Why are some condoms flavored?

It's up to you which to choose. All of the differences in shape are designed to suit different personal preferences and enhance pleasure. It is important to communicate with your partner to be sure that you are using condoms that satisfy both of you.

Some condoms are flavored to make oral sex more enjoyable.

What about the condom size?

Condoms are made in different lengths and widths, and different manufacturers produce varying sizes.

There is no standard length for condoms, though those made from natural rubber will in addition always stretch if necessary to fit the length of the man's erect penis.

The width of a condom can also vary. Some condoms have a slightly smaller width to give a "closer" fit, whereas others will be slightly larger. Condom makers have realized that different lengths and widths are needed and are increasingly broadening their range of sizes.

The brand names will be different in each country, so you will need to do your own investigation of different names. There is no particular best brand of condom. There are details of web sites of condom manufacturers on our 'AIDS Related Links' page, where you can find information about their products and contact information.

So when do you use a condom?

You need to use a new condom every time you have sexual intercourse. Never use the same condom twice. Put the condom on after the penis is erect and before any contact is made between the penis and any part of the partner's body.

How do you use a condom?

Open the condom package at one corner being careful not to tear the condom with your fingernails, your teeth, or through being too rough. Make sure the package and condom appear to be in good condition, and check that if there is an expiry date that the date has not passed.

Condoms can deteriorate if not stored properly. They can be affected by both heat and light. So it is best not to use a condom that has been stored in your back pocket, your wallet, or the glove compartment of your car.

Place the rolled condom over the tip of the hard penis, and if the condom does not have a reservoir top, pinch the tip of the condom enough to leave a half inch space for semen to collect. If the man is not circumcised, then pull back the foreskin before rolling on the condom.

Pinch the air out of the condom tip with one hand and unroll the condom over the penis with the other hand. Roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis, and smooth out any air bubbles. (Air bubbles can cause a condom to break).

If you want to use some extra lubrication, put it on the outside of the condom. But always use a water-based lubricant (such as KY Jelly) as an oil-based lubricant will cause the latex to break.

What do you do if the condom won't unroll?

The condom should unroll smoothly and easily from the rim on the outside. If you have to struggle or if it takes more than a few seconds, it probably means that you are trying to put the condom on upside down. To take off the condom, don't try to roll it back up. Hold it near the rim and slide it off. Then start again with a new condom.

When do you take off the condom?

Pull out before the penis softens, and hold the condom against the base of the penis while you pull out, so that the semen doesn't spill. Then tie a knot in the condom and throw it away.

What do you do if a condom breaks?

If a condom breaks during sexual intercourse, then pull out quickly and replace the condom. Whilst you are having sex, check the condom from time to time, to make sure it hasn't split or slipped off.

What condoms should you use for anal intercourse?

With anal intercourse more strain can be placed on the condom. So it is sensible to use stronger condoms and plenty of lubricant.

Is using a condom effective?

If used properly, a condom is very effective at reducing the risk of being infected with HIV during sexual intercourse. Using a condom also provides protection against other sexually transmitted diseases, and protection against pregnancy. In the laboratory, latex condoms are very effective at blocking transmission of HIV because the pores in latex condoms are too small to allow the virus to pass through. However, outside of the laboratory condoms are less effective because people do not always use condoms properly. To find out more about the effectiveness of condoms, go to the page.

What about polyurethane condoms?

Polyurethane condoms are thinner than latex condoms, and so they increase sensitivity and are more agreeable in feel and appearance to some users. They are also helpful to those people who are allergic to latex. But a disadvantage is that they are much more likely to break than latex condoms.

How can I persuade my partner that we should use a condom?

It can be difficult to talk about using condoms. But you shouldn't let embarrassment become a health risk. The person you are thinking about having sex with may not agree at first when you say that you want to use a condom when you have sex. These are some comments that might be made and some answers that you could try.