Condom

:This article is about the contraceptive device. For the town in France, see Condom, France.

Proper use

The use of male condoms involves the following:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Condoms should never be stored in hot places like car glove-compartments or wallets kept in pockets close to the body, as prolonged exposure to heat damages latex.
• Sharp fingernails can damage condoms.
• Condoms are best put on the erect penis as soon as an erection is achieved and before any contact with the other person's body, and should always be put on before contact with a vagina or anus.
• Retracting the foreskin before putting on a condom maximizes mobility and reduces the risk of breakage during intercourse.
• Room needs to be left at the tip of a condom to hold semen. Most condoms have a reservoir tip that should be pinched while applying the condom to avoid trapping an air bubble which could burst later.
• Water-based sexual lubricants, such as KY Jelly, are safe for use with condoms, but oil-based lubricants weaken latex and may cause it to tear or develop holes. Lubrication can be used to reduce the abrasion on the condom during vaginal sex, and is virtually essential for anal sex.
• Some condoms are designed specifically for anal sex. The material is slightly thicker, making these condoms less likely to tear than those designed for vaginal sex.
• Condoms should be discarded after the expiration date on the package. Even ones that seem fine past that date may be more likely to burst later.
• The penis should be withdrawn immediately after ejaculation, even if the erection can be maintained; leaving it in leads to needless risk.
• The base of the condom should be held during withdrawal to prevent the condom from slipping off.
• One's hands and penis should be washed before further physical contact with another person (including the sexual partner).
• Condoms are for single use only, and should never be reused.
• Condoms are available in special sizes for people who require larger or smaller ones.
• Practicing applying condoms alone in a well lighted place can help a man learn to apply it correctly before using them for sex.

General instructions for putting on a male condom are as follows:

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

• Check the expiry date on the condom wrapper - Condoms have a printed expiry date and batch number. Do not use out of date condoms.
• Gently apply pressure to the condom wrapper to make sure it has a slight pillow-like quality to it, indicating air inside and proper and unbroken sealing. Otherwise air may have escaped from tear or punctures and the condom itself may be damaged as well.
• Exercising caution, open the foil (or plastic) wrapper along one side. Be careful not to damage the condom with sharp objects.
• If the condom is sticky or brittle, discard it and use another one.
• Press firmly together the tip of the condom to expel air that may be trapped inside the condom. Air pockets can cause the condom to burst. This tip is there to contain the discharge in ejaculation.
• Ensure that the penis is fully erect — a condom may fall off the penis which is only partially erect.
• Check that the condom is in the right direction to unroll down the penis and before unrolling put it on the tip of the penis. If you accidentally try to put it on the wrong way, discard it and start over with a new condom. Touching the wrong side of the condom with the penis can transfer bodily fluids, defeating its purpose.
• Unroll the condom over the shaft of the penis. Unroll it all the way. If it does not unroll, it is on the wrong way and you must start over with a new condom.
• Make sure the condom isn't loose or or at risk of coming off.
• Do not allow the penis to go at any time while wearing or putting on the condom; You will have to discard the condom otherwise.

All 12-packs of condoms come with these or similar instructions, and may contain additional information; be sure to read these instructions if you have never used a condom before.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Some men who feel a particular size condom is hard to put on because it is too small have reported that they partly unroll the condom, stretch it with both index fingers, insert the penis (asking their partner to expel air from the tip), remove fingers and unroll. This procedure is not recommended as one's fingernails can come in contact with the condom. Consider buying a larger condom, or practising the approved method above.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~