Using a condom correctly every time you have sex provides 98% protection against unplanned pregnancy and significantly reduces the risk of most sexually transmitted infections. The basics are straightforward: check the condom before opening, pinch the tip, roll it all the way down, and hold the base when withdrawing. But the details matter, and small mistakes are surprisingly common. Here’s how to get it right.
Check the Condom Before You Open It
Every condom wrapper has an expiration date printed on it. Expired condoms are more likely to break, so toss any that are past their date. Squeeze the wrapper gently before opening. You should feel a small air cushion inside, which means the seal is intact. If the wrapper feels flat, the condom may have been punctured.
Once you open the wrapper (tear it carefully at the edge, not with your teeth or scissors), take a quick look at the condom itself. If it feels dry, sticky, or stiff, don’t use it. These are signs the material has degraded. Most people skip this step entirely. In one study of condom users, 75% had never inspected a condom for damage and 61% had never checked the expiration date.
How to Put On an External Condom
Put the condom on before any genital contact, not partway through sex. About 43% of condom users in research reported putting one on after sex had already started, which defeats much of the protection.
Place the condom on the head of the erect penis with the rolled rim facing outward (it should look like a small hat, not an inverted cup). If you accidentally place it inside out, don’t flip it over and reuse it. Pre-ejaculate fluid may already be on the tip. Use a new one.
Pinch the tip of the condom with your thumb and forefinger to squeeze out any trapped air. This leaves a small reservoir at the end for ejaculate and reduces the chance of the condom bursting. Then, with your other hand, roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis. If it won’t unroll easily, it’s probably inside out.
Finding the Right Size
Condom sizing isn’t standardized across brands, but most fall into three general categories based on the flat width of the condom (measured in millimeters):
- Small/snug: 49 to 52 mm wide
- Regular: 52 to 56 mm wide
- Large: 56 to 60 mm wide
A condom that’s too tight is more likely to break. One that’s too loose is more likely to slip off. If a standard condom feels uncomfortable or keeps sliding, try a different size rather than going without. Most drugstores carry at least two size options, and online retailers carry many more.
Choosing the Right Lubricant
Lubricant reduces friction, which makes sex more comfortable and makes the condom less likely to tear. Many condoms come pre-lubricated, but adding more is fine and often a good idea, especially for anal sex.
The key rule: if you’re using a latex condom (the most common type), only use water-based or silicone-based lubricant. Oil-based products like coconut oil, massage oil, petroleum jelly, or body lotion break down latex and can cause the condom to fail. Water-based lubricants are the safest all-purpose option. Silicone-based lubricants last longer and are safe with both latex and non-latex (polyurethane) condoms.
During Sex
Check periodically that the condom is still in place, especially during longer sessions or position changes. If you’re switching between vaginal, anal, and oral sex, use a new condom each time you switch. This prevents transferring bacteria between different parts of the body. Research found that more than half of condom users had switched between types of sex without changing condoms.
Never use two condoms at once, whether that’s two external condoms stacked or an external condom paired with an internal one. The friction between the two layers makes both more likely to tear.
How to Remove a Condom Safely
After ejaculation, withdraw while the penis is still firm. Hold the base of the condom against the skin as you pull out so it doesn’t slip off or spill. Once you’ve withdrawn, slide the condom off away from your partner, tie the open end in a knot to contain the contents, and throw it in the trash. Don’t flush condoms, as they can clog plumbing. Never reuse a condom.
Using an Internal Condom
Internal condoms (sometimes called female condoms) are worn inside the vagina or anus rather than on the penis. They offer 95% protection against unplanned pregnancy when used correctly and give the receptive partner direct control over protection.
To insert one, squeeze the sides of the thick inner ring together and push it into the vagina like a tampon, using your finger to guide it as far up as it will go until it rests against the cervix. The thin outer ring stays outside the body, covering the vaginal opening. Make sure the condom isn’t twisted inside. During sex, guide the penis into the opening of the condom rather than alongside it.
To remove it, gently twist the outer ring to keep the contents inside, then pull the condom out and throw it away. Internal condoms can also be used for anal sex following the same general steps.
How to Store Condoms
Latex condoms should be kept below 104°F (40°C) and away from direct sunlight, humidity, and moisture. All of these shorten the condom’s usable life by degrading the latex. A bedside drawer or closet shelf is fine. A car glove box in summer, a wallet you sit on daily, or a bathroom cabinet near a hot shower are not. Keeping a condom in your wallet for a night out is unlikely to cause problems, but storing one there for weeks will.
What to Do If a Condom Breaks
If a condom tears or slips off during sex, you still have options, but timing matters.
For pregnancy prevention, emergency contraception is most effective within 72 hours but can work up to five days after unprotected sex. Over-the-counter options are available at most pharmacies without a prescription. A prescription option is also available and remains equally effective across the full five-day window.
For STI concerns, bacterial infections can be detected by testing right away. Viral infections like HIV and herpes take longer to show up on tests because your body needs time to produce detectable antibodies. If there’s a known or likely HIV exposure, preventive treatment called PEP must be started within 72 hours to be effective. Urgent care clinics, sexual health clinics, and community health centers can all provide quick access to testing and treatment.