Male Condom Fact Sheet
The most effective way to prevent getting Sexually Transmitted
Diseases (STDs) including HIV (the virus that causes AIDS) is to
not have sex. To lower your risk, both partners can get tested
for STDs, including HIV, before having sex.
If you do have sex with a partner whose disease status is unknown
or who is infected with HIV or another STD, using latex condoms
properly can help protect you. Talk to your partner about using
condoms to avoid STDs. Using condoms does not mean you do not trust
each other.
The Right Way to Use a Condom:
- Use a lubricated latex condom. Natural or "animal skin"
condoms are not recommended for STD/HIV prevention.
- Use a new condom with each act of sexual intercourse.
- Carefully open the package and remove the condom. Carefully handle
the condom to avoid damaging it with fingernails, teeth, or other
sharp objects such as jewelry.
- Put the condom on after the penis is erect and before any genital,
oral, or rectal contact with your partner.
- Make sure that no air is trapped in the tip of the condom. Hold
the condom by the tip to squeeze out the air. Leave some space at
the tip to hold the semen (cum).
- Make sure there is enough lubrication during intercourse, possibly
by using water-based lubricants.
- Use only water-based lubricants such as K-Y Jelly, Astroglide,
AquaLube, or glycerin with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants such
as petroleum jelly, shortening, mineral oil, massage oils, body
lotions, or cooking oil can weaken latex.
- Whether condoms lubricated with spermicides such as Nonoxynol-9
are more effective than other lubricated condoms in protecting against
HIV and other STDs is not known.
- After ejaculation (coming), hold the condom firmly against the
base of the penis and pull out slowly while the penis is still hard.
This will prevent the condom from slipping.
CONDOMS WORK IF YOU USE THEM THE RIGHT WAY EVERY
TIME.
Division of Sexually
Transmitted Diseases
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