How to put on a condom...

What is it?

A male condom is a stretchy tube made of very thin latex (rubber) or polyurethane and fits over the boy's erect penis. Condoms are lubricated to make them easier to use. 

How it works

They block sperm from getting into the girl's vagina to stop her getting pregnant. The sperm all get caught in it and can’t swim anywhere. It is known as a barrier method as it stops sperm meeting an egg. They also guard against sexually transmitted diseases.

How do you use them?

Can anyone use them?

Male condoms are suitable for most people. Some men and women are allergic to rubber or spermicides used in condoms. In such cases, it is possible to use polyurethane condoms or latex condoms without spermicide.

The failure rate

If used properly, and before the bloke has spilt any semen. male condoms are 98% effective. This means that 2 women in 100 will get pregnant in a year.

The chance of pregnancy is increased if not used properly.

What makes them less effective?

If the penis touches the area around the vagina before a condom is put on.

If it is ripped by sharp nails, rings or flies (get your trousers down lads).

Oil-based products (e.g. hand cream, Vaseline) can damage rubber condoms.

If it slips off. 

If any of these things happen, advice should be sought immediately on Emergency contraception to prevent a pregnancy. 

• Makes sex less messy.
• You only use it when you have sex, not every day
• Protects you from AIDS, Chlamydia and other sexual infections
• Also protects girls against cancer of the cervix.
• Easy and cheap. Less than 75p each from if you buy them yourself. Or free from clinics like the Brook Centres http://www.brook.org.uk.
• No side effects
• Lots of choice.

• Putting it on can interrupt sex.
• They are slippery
• Can slip off if not used properly
• Can split if not used properly
• Can split if your fingernails are sharp.
• 2-minute condom ‘breaks’ can be a turn-off. (not if she puts it on him, though).
• Not too 'sensitive' but improving.
• They don’t flush down the loo afterwards but try putting some loo paper down with them.
• The man needs to withdraw carefully straight after ejaculation.

Get condoms:

• at the chemists
• in gent’s loos
• Brook Advisory Centres http://www.brook.org.uk - 0800 0185023 for your nearest
• any family planning clinic
• other young people’s clinics

They cost around £3.50 for three from chemists supermarkets and corner shops.

Always use a new condom each time. 

When buying condoms, choose ones displaying the British Standards Kitemark (a heart with an S-shape inside), or a CE Kitemark. These will definitely be reliable. Also, check the expiry date.

What if I'm abroad?

Remember, the risk of getting, or getting someone else pregnant or getting an STI is still a risk, wherever you are in the world.

Can I have some condoms please? in 5 different languages:

French Est-ce que je peux avoir quelques condoms s'il vous plait? SAY: "Ess-ka je peuh avwar kelka condom see-voo-play?"

Spanish Puedo tener algunos condoms por favor? SAY: "Pwe-do ten-air algoonoss condoms por favor?"

Italian Posso avere alcuni condoms per favore? SAY: "Posso avair-a alcoonee condoms payr-favoray?"

Portuguese Posso ter alguns condoms por favor? SAY: "Posso tair algoonsh condoms por favor?"

German Kann ich einige Kondome haben bitte? SAY: "Can ish eyenigga condom hahben bitta?"

Family Planning Association - for details of local clinics, call the Contraceptive Education Service.

England - 0845 310 1334

Scotland - 0141 576 5088

N. Ireland - 02890 325488