CONDOMS ARE APPROXIMATELY 90% EFFECTIVE AT PREVENTING HIV.
Condom effectiveness can vary greatly depending on how you use them. If condoms are the tool you choose to stop HIV, use the tips below to make them as effective as possible for you and your partner!
HOW TO USE A CONDOM
STEP 1: INSPECT
Check for any rips, tears or holes.
Press the package between your fingers and you should feel a slight air pocket inside.
Check the expiration date.
If the condom is expired or damaged, toss it and grab a new one!
STEP 2: PREPARE
Carefully open and remove the condom from the wrapper.
Pinch the reservoir tip to remove the air.
Place it on the head of the dick. If uncut, pull back the foreskin.
Don’t use your teeth to open the wrapper – they can nick the condom.
STEP 3: ROLL-IT
Roll the condom all the way down to the base.
Get to it!!!
Lots of lube can prevent condom breakage! Only use water-based or silicone based lube – never oil or petroleum.
STEP 4: TIE IT
After you shoot, hold the base, pull out, and slowly remove the condom away from your partner’s hole.
Tie it off and toss in the trash.
Be mindful of plumbing and pets! Don’t flush, and if you have a curious pup, toss in a trash can that the dog can’t get into.
WHICH OF THESE LUBES ARE SAFE WITH CONDOMS?
Use your finger or your mouse to peel back the labels and discover which lubes are good with condoms and which ones aren’t!
WATER-BASED LUBE
GOOD WITH CONDOMS!
Water-Based Lube is great with condoms! Re-apply to keep it slick!
OIL-BASED LUBE
BAD WITH CONDOMS!
DANGER!! Oil-Based Lube will make condoms break!
SILICONE LUBE
GOOD WITH CONDOMS!
Silicone Lube is great with condoms and helps keep things slicker, longer!
HAND & BODY LOTION
BAD WITH CONDOMS!
DANGER!! Lotions often contain oils that will make condoms break!
SPIT
OK WITH CONDOMS!
Spit will not make condoms break. But, too much friction can cause breaks! Make sure to keep it wet as you go!
COCONUT OIL
BAD WITH CONDOMS!
DANGER!! Coconut Oil is all the rage, feels amazing on your skin, is great for massages, but it can make condoms break!
OTHER TYPES OF CONDOMS!
INTERNAL
Also known as the “Female Condom”, “Internal Condom”, or “The Bottom Condom”. These can be used vaginally or anally if you remove the internal ring.
DENTAL DAMS
Also known as “Dental Dams” and “Capes”, these act as an oral barrier between mouth and anus or vagina.
HOW DO YOU BRING UP CONDOMS?
SAY WHAT?!
Below, you’ll find some strategies to consider when bringing up condoms. If you dedicate some time to thinking about what works best for you, you’ll be able to set the expectation while keeping things as comfortable as possible.
Whether you’re the one wearing the condom or helping to put one on – make it a show! Let him watch you slowly roll it down your perky hot soldier, or make those perky duck-lips while rolling it down on him!
You may not be “into endless messages”, but toss your prevention business in your profile and dedicate at least one message to set your limits before hooking up. If he’s into “PrEP & Bareback” – and that’s not your jam, chatting it up before you meet may help ease those already-awkward-anal-moments!
Let ’em know what makes your toes-curl, and that you’re into condoms. If you’re meeting in person, instead of asking if he’s into condoms, just ask if he has any, or let him know that you have some at your place. However you do it, we know that conversation can sometimes be sticky, but he may be just as relieved as you that you brought it up! And doing it before you’re both hard and ready can keep the conversation from going…limp.
If you’re a top – find the condom that fits like a glove, and stock up! If you’re a bottom, fill your nightstand with condoms for your FWB or the types of guys who come your way.
If you’ve got a thing for geeks – grab some glow-in-the-dark condoms and make his force your very own lightsaber. But if you’re a hard-core vegetarian, stock up on the XL’s to wrap his eggplant. If you’re vers – a little for you, a little for him. Keep ’em wherever you hook up.
We don’t know why you’re into condoms and he isn’t. But if condoms are the way you’ve chosen prevent the spread of HIV and he’s just not havin it, you may need to switch gears to showcase your sexy-massage, circle jerk, and oral-skill-amazingness.
And if you’re still not seeing eye-to-eye, check your apps – a different Mr. Right may only be 1,000 feet away. You’ve taken the time to decide what’s going to work for you – so stand your ground!
MEMORY GAME!
Below, you’ll find conversation starters that can help you bring up condoms with your partner. Use your finger or mouse to click the tiles below, match the statements and win the game!
