Condom 101: How to use condoms correctly

The humble male condom…they’ve been around since 1564 as a way to protect against STIs, and there’s even an entire Wikipedia page dedicated to their history. They’re usually the first method of contraception you’re taught about at school – and a big cause of embarrassment while placing one on a plastic phallus in front of Mrs Brown. But when was the last time you had a refresher on how they work and what to do? Well, here it is!

How effective are condoms?

Condoms are a popular method of contraception used by 21% of people who use any form of birth control.¹ Studies have shown that they are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy, as long as you use them correctly every time you have sex². 

Condoms are the most effective method of preventing sexually transmitted infections if you are having sexual contact. They guard against HIV, hepatitis, chlamydia, gonorrhoea and other diseases which are spread through body fluids. 

Condoms can’t provide protection against sexually transmitted infections which are spread through skin-to-skin contact, such as syphilis, genital warts and genital herpes. To protect against these, you should make sure that yourself and your partner have had a full sexual health check-up before you have oral, vaginal or anal sex. 

How do I use condoms?

You can buy condoms online and in most supermarkets and pharmacies, as well as getting them for free from sexual health clinics.

• You don’t need a prescription to get condoms, and there is no minimum age that you need to be to buy them or get them from a sexual health clinic. 
• If you are less than 16, then healthcare providers will not need to tell anyone that you have asked for the condoms, unless they think you are at risk of coming to harm. 

The practical part

First, always make sure that the condom is in-date. There will be an expiry date on the side of the packet. 

You should also make sure that the condom has a ‘kite-mark’ (sometimes called a UKCE or European CE mark) on the packet – this means that the condom has been manufactured to a high standard.

Open the condom carefully, making sure not to rip it. Never use your teeth! (no matter how sexy you may think this looks)

Hold the condom by the tip, squeezing out any air, and then carefully roll down the length of the fully erect penis, to the base. The condom should then stay in place until you have finished having sex.

The condom needs to be in place before the penis touches the vaginal area so that it can be effective in preventing pregnancy.

When you’ve finished having sex, you or your partner can roll the condom down carefully, making sure not to spill any semen. It can be disposed of in a bin.

Condom Do’s and Don’ts

DO…

…make sure you use plenty of lubricant which is water or silicone based. Oil based lubricants can cause the condom to split or break.

…make sure you have checked the safety mark and the expiry date on the packet before using the condom.

DON’T…

…use the condom if it doesn’t roll down the penis easily when you put it on. This means it’s inside-out and you will need to use another one.

…use a latex condom if you have an allergy. Latex free condoms are widely available.

…flush a used condom down the toilet as they can cause blockages. Simply remove carefully, rolling down from the top, pop it in some tissue and dispose in the rubbish bin. 

…use 2 condoms at once, this doesn’t give you double the protection, and actually can cause one to rip the other, which isn’t ideal

What do I do if the condom breaks?

Accidents happen, and condoms can break! If this happens, don’t panic. Condoms can break if they are not put on correctly or there is excess friction. 

If you notice that the condom has broken during sex, then stop and replace with a new one.

To prevent pregnancy if the condom has broken, you can use emergency contraception (the morning-after pill) or use a copper IUD within five days of the condom breaking. A GP, pharmacy or sexual health clinic can help with this.

If the condom has broken during sex then you are still at risk of getting a sexually-transmitted infection. You should make sure you see your GP or sexual health clinic for a check-up if the condom has broken.

Can Condoms cause thrush?

Sex can trigger yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis, whether you use a condom or not. This is because the friction during sex can disrupt the natural organisms in your vaginal area. However, condoms themselves don’t cause thrush infections, and some studies have even shown that they can be protective against thrush.³

Can you use an expired condom?

It might be tempting to use a condom past its expiry date. What is the worst that can happen right? Well this is what happens if you use an expired condom. 

Condoms usually have a shelf life of 3-5 years if stored properly, and those with spermicide generally only last 2 years. Over time they can deteriorate and degrade, which means they lose their integrity and can break. This makes it less reliable to protect against STIs or pregnancy. 

There are other signs the condom should no longer be used such as if they have a foul smell, look discoloured or feel dry and sticky.

It is not a risk worth taking, even if it is just a few days over expiry. Be sure to check the date before using the condom! 

What do other women think?

We asked other Lowdown users what they thought of using condoms. Here’s a summary of what they thought. 

Generally, women had a positive experiences of using male condoms, finding them easy to use and comfortable during sex. Lots of women like the fact that they do not cause any hormonal side effects, unlike some other forms of birth control. They are highly rated at 4.1 out of 5 stars on our site (as of July 2024). 

Some women felt that condoms caused friction during sex, but this was improved if they used an effective lube. Some women commented that condoms can disrupt spontaneity during sex. In some cases, it can take a bit of trial and error to find the right size and brand of condom that are comfortable for you and your partner. When your male partner has found the right fit, we’re confident that sex will feel good for both of you.

Our personal favourite brand of condom has to be MyBliss, as they are actually designed and marketed towards women! And don’t forget, if a man is refusing to use a condom, then they don’t respect you, so don’t have sex with them as this reviewer reminds us!