Flash Required.

Condoms

Male and female condoms reduce the risk of transmission of HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs).

Condom Care

Many people are concerned about a condom breaking. Most commonly this happens when the condom is old or damaged by heat, when a water-based lubricant isn’t used, or when people are inexperienced in using condoms.

Follow the guidelines below….

  • Practise using condoms in private to increase your skill and confidence

  • Store condoms away from heat (eg don’t keep them in the car)

  • Condoms can be damaged in wallets, handbags and pockets if carried around for too long so replace your condoms regularly

  • Don’t use a condom that has passed its use by date (which can be found on the packaging)

  • Use water-based lubricant to reduce friction, which helps prevent breakage

Male Condoms

Getting intimate? Keep a condom (or two, or three) handy. Check that the packaging isn’t damaged and that the condom hasn’t exceeded its use-by date. Get it on BEFORE any genital contact occurs.

  1. Condom 
    Gently open the packet (not with your teeth, it might tear) & take out the condom – don’t unroll it but check it’s the right way round.

  2. Squeeze the air out of the tip of the condom and unroll it all the way down the erect penis. If it doesn’t go on OK the first time use a new condom.

  3. Use a water-based lubricant (like Wet Stuff or KY) on the outside of the condom – oil-based lubricants, vaseline and body lotions can weaken the condom.

  4. During intercourse, occasionally check that the condom is still on.

  5. After ejaculation, before the penis goes soft, hold the condom at the base of the penis and withdraw so no semen leaks out.

  6. Take off the condom, wrap it & throw it in the bin. Then wipe the rest of the semen from the penis.

If you are still in genital contact use a new condom.

Polyurethane condoms will soon be available in Australia. These are stronger, loose fitting and are said to give better sensitivity compared to latex.

Female Condoms

A female condom is a polyurethane sheath that fits inside the vagina and prevents semen getting into the vagina and uterus. There is a large outer ring attached at the opening which prevents it being pushed past the vulva. An inner ring helps the condom to stay in the vagina. Female condoms are available from FPWA for $2-3. Although these are called female condoms, some men may use them as a loose fitting condom for anal sex.

The female condom can be inserted any time before sexual intercourse:

  • Carefully open the packet and ensure that the flexible inner ring is at the closed end of the condom.

  • Squeeze the lower half of the inner ring between your thumb, index and middle fingers. This will give you a firm grip and narrows the inner ring to ease insertion.

  • With your other hand spread the folds of the skin (labia) around your vaginal opening and insert the squeezed ring into the vagina as far as you can.

  • Put your finger inside the female condom until you can feel the bottom of the inner ring.

  • Now push the ring up into the vagina – you can tell that the female condom is in place when the inner ring is up just past the pubic bone. When inserted correctly the inner ring will not cause any discomfort.

  • The outer ring should remain outside your vagina.

  • You may want to insert extra lubricant inside the female condom.

  • To remove the female condom twist the outer ring to keep the semen inside, then pull gently. Wrap the female condom and throw it in the bin.

What to do if a method is not correctly used

Emergency contraception (morning after pill) is available if the condom or female condom breaks or is not used correctly. Emergency contraception needs to be taken as soon as possible after unprotected sex, though it provides some effectiveness for up to 3 days.

Unprotected sex can also put you at risk of HIV and other STIs. Screening for these infections can be done at FPWA and is recommended if you have any concerns.

If you have had unprotected sex with someone who may be HIV positive drug treatment can reduce your risk of acquiring HIV. If you are in this situation contact your doctor or FPWA.

Practising safe sex reduces the risk of contracting HIV and other sexually transmissible infections (STIs)

Page last updated Tue, 20 Jun 2006 12:15