External (male) condoms

Condoms are often available free from doctors, sexual health clinics and programmes, and they are also sold in shops and pharmacies. 

Semen, vaginal fluids and blood can pass on HIV and STIs. A condom stops these fluids from entering the body. It also stops sperm from entering the vagina to prevent pregnancy. Remember,  it is everyone’s responsibility, regardless of gender to prevent pregnancy.

Advantages 

• They work really well! 
• They are the only type of contraception that stops you getting or passing on HIV and STIs as well as preventing pregnancy.  
• You only need to use them at the time you have sex. 
• They do not involve hormones. 
• They do not have any side effects. 
• You can use them together with other forms of contraception for extra protection.

Disadvantages  

• You have to use them correctly every time you have sex. But this is not difficult once you know how! 
• Some people say condoms interrupt the flow of sex or make sex feel different. But there are plenty of ways to make condoms part of the fun. Remember you can also try internal (female) condoms to see if they are right for you. 

This may sound difficult but it’s easy once you get the hang of it. Here’s how: 

1. Put it on when the penis is hard, but before you start having sex. 

2. Check it hasn’t passed its expiry date. 

3. Carefully take the condom out of the packet. Don’t use teeth or scissors as these can damage condoms. 

4. Pinch the air out of the top. 

5. Check the condom is not inside out – the rim should be on the outside. 

6. Roll the condom down to the base of the penis. 

7. Keep the condom on until you finish having sex.  

8. When you finish, hold the condom down to the base of your penis while you withdraw. 

9. Wrap the condom in a tissue and put it in the bin.

• Use a new condom every time you have sex or if you move between vaginal, anal or oral sex. 
• Don’t double up! Wearing more than one condom or using an internal one as well causes friction that might make the condom split. 
• Use water-based lubricant to stop condoms from breaking. Don’t use oil-based lubricant as this can damage the condom. 

Condoms rarely break. But if they do follow these simple steps: 

1. Withdraw the penis immediately.
2. Don’t wash inside the anus or vagina as this can spread infection.
3. If you need to, go to a healthcare facility to get emergency contraception. You may also consider getting Post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent HIV.
4. Get an HIV and STI test.

If you want to prevent pregnancy, you still need to use some form of birth control. And if you’re worried about getting or passing on HIV or STIs, you still need to use condoms. Remember that using condoms isn’t a sign that you don’t trust your partner – it’s a way of showing you care and want to protect you both.  

There is no evidence that condoms cause cancer, either in men or women.

There are lots of ways condoms can add to the fun and enjoyment of sex. For example, you can try different types of condoms with different textures and flavours. You can also make putting on a condom part of the fun of foreplay. Condoms let you relax and have a great time without worrying about risks.

Want to know more? Read our blog: Five tips on how to have great sex when using condoms

Here are a few questions to help kick-off discussions on the issues you need to talk about! You can share them on social, on WhatsApp or just get talking.

If someone is thinking about using condoms, the best thing you can do is to give them clear and accurate information, which you can find on this page.  

The best way to speak to someone about any form of contraception, including condoms, is to: 

1. Respect their decisions: this means their decision to have sex and the type of contraceptive they choose.  
2. Be open: be prepared to discuss any form of contraception and let them know they can ask anything they want, you won’t judge them. 
3. Respect their privacy: they might feel embarrassed about discussing things to do with sex. If they are, you could give them details of a friendly healthcare professional, a helpline or factual online resources, like this app. 

It is a good idea to discuss both internal and external condoms, and mention that internal condoms can be particularly good if they are struggling to use external condoms.  

Why not suggest they experiment with both external condoms and internal condoms? They may be surprised which they prefer! 

Remember, they might feel embarrassed about discussing sex with you. If they are, connect them with a friendly healthcare professional, a helpline or factual online resources, like this site.