While the hormones in these methods stop you from getting pregnant, they will not stop you from getting a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Male and female condoms will help protect you from getting and giving some kinds of STIs. When used correctly, male condoms are nearly 99.99% effective at preventing transmission of an STI such as Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and HIV from one person to another.
Many people know how to use condoms in some ways, but not always in the best ways so they don’t break of slip off the penis. Remember these facts:
- Make sure the condom wrapper has no holes or tears, and it is not past the expiration date.
- Open up the wrapper carefully using your fingers - no scissors or teeth, because that could break the condom.
- Press out the air in the tip on the condom, leaving a little (dime sized or so) room for the ejaculate (cum). Place the tip of the condom on the penis then carefully roll it down to the end of the penis.
- The penis must be taken out of the vagina or anus while it is still somewhat hard. If the penis gets soft when in the vagina or anus, the semen will spill out of the condom into the vagina or anus. It will also fall off the penis. Either way, the other person’s body now has semen in it.
- When taking the penis out of the vagina, the condom must be held in place so it won’t fall off in the vagina or anus.
- Be sure the condom is put far away so that no one gets the semen on them.
- Use a lubricant during sex if the vaginal or anal area feels dry. This can stop the condom from breaking. It can also make sex comfortable for the other person.
Want to know more? TeenSource has articles on Male Condoms.