- Don’t touch the wrong side of the condom to the penis, and then flip it to the right side. This can transfer semen and/or STIs.
- Don’t use out-of-date condoms. Check the expiration date carefully. Old condoms can be dry, brittle or weakened and can break more easily.
- Don’t unroll the condom before putting it on the erect (hard) penis.
- Don’t leave condoms in hot places-like your wallet or your car.
- Don’t use oil-based lubricants, like baby or cooking oils, hand lotion or petroleum jelly (like Vaseline®) as lubricants with latex condoms. The oil weakens latex and can cause condoms to break.
- Don’t use your fingernails or teeth when opening a condom wrapper. It’s very easy to tear the condom inside. If you do tear a condom while opening the wrapper, throw that condom away and get a new one.
- Don’t reuse a condom. Always use a new condom for each kind of sex you have.
Condom Dos and Donts
Condom DOs
- Do use only latex or polyurethane condoms.
- Do keep condoms in a cool, dry place.
- Do put the condom on an erect (hard) penis before there is any contact with a partner’s genitals.
- Do use plenty of water-based lubricant with latex condoms. This reduces friction (dry rubbing) and helps prevent the condom from tearing.
- Do squeeze the air out of the tip of the condom when rolling it over the erect penis. This allows room for the ejaculate (cum).
- Do hold the condom in place at the base of the penis before withdrawing (pulling out) after sex.
- Do throw the condom away after it’s been used.