Using Condoms Correctly

Used correctly and consistently — every single time a person has sex — condoms are up to 98 percent effective against pregnancy. They also reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections. But a study in the American Journal of Health Behavior found that many people who know that they should use condoms don't always use condoms correctly.

Of more than 1,100 people surveyed about their recent condom use

• More than half had not used a condom the last time they had sex. Condoms are only effective when they are used every time a person has sex.
• Forty percent of women and men did not pinch air out of the tip of the condom before using it. Friction against air bubbles causes most condom breaks.
• Roughly one-third of women and men did not hold the base of the condom when withdrawing the penis. This is a common reason behind spillage.
• More than 30 percent of women and 40 percent of men did not leave space at the tip of the condom.
• Many people also admitted that they started having intercourse before using a condom, and to putting the condom on inside-out — both of which make a condom less effective.

What You Can Do

Condoms can break for various reasons. Most often they break if they are not put on properly, if they have passed their expiration date, or if the wrong kind of lubricant is used with them. (Using any oil-based lubricant with a latex condom can cause breakage.)

The following tips can help people know how to use condoms correctly:

• Put the condom on before inserting the penis.
• Use a condom only once, and use a new one for each erection. Always make sure you have several condoms on hand.
• Be careful when taking the condom out of its package foil. You don't want to tear it. If the condom is not lubricated, put a drop or two of water-based lubricant inside of it.
• If the penis is not circumcised, pull back the foreskin before rolling on the condom.
• Place the rolled condom over the tip of the erect penis. (If keeping an erection is an issue, you may want to try female condoms, which stay in place whether or not a man maintains his erection.)
• Leave a half-inch space at the tip to collect semen.
• Pinch the air out of the tip with one hand.
• Unroll the condom over the penis with the other hand.
• Roll it all the way down to the base of the penis.
• Smooth out any air bubbles.
• If the condom is not lubricated, put a water-based lubricant on the outside of the condom.
• After ejaculation, it's important to pull out before the penis softens. Don't spill the semen — hold the condom against the base of the penis while you pull out.
• Throw the condom away — do not flush.

© 2006 Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. All rights reserved.