External Condoms

What are condoms?

Condoms are thin, stretchy covers that can go on a penis, strapless, prosthetic, or sex toy. Condoms can be used during solo, oral, frontal, and anal sex. Condoms work best with plenty of lube. Lube lessens friction, which makes things feel better and prevents condoms from tearing. 

👉 We can grab condoms and lube at YouthCO events!

✅ How to Open a Condom (3 Steps)

  1. Check the expiry date.

  2. Squeeze the package. If it deflates, the condom may be damaged, so try to get a new condom.

  3. Tear open with your hands (not scissors, teeth, or sharp items).

💧 Lube up!

Using lube with condoms can make play more fun, comfortable, and feel better! When choosing lube, we need to know what our condoms are made of.

  • Latex condoms: use water or silicone-based lube, ❌ not oil-based lube

  • Polyurethane & nitrile (latex-free): use water, silicone, or oil-based lube

  • Polyisoprene (latex-free): use water or silicone-based lube, ❌ not oil-based lube

  • Lambskin: use with any lube

⚠️ Silicone-based lubes can wear down silicone prosthetics or toys. If in doubt, use water-based lube!

Image from Planned Parenthood.

🧢 How to Use a Condom

  1. Check the roll direction 
    1. Place the condom on one finger and look at the shape.
    2. The rim of the condom should be on the outside. The condom should look like a cowboy hat.
    3. If the condom is inside out, it will look like a beanie and be hard to roll down.
  2. Pinch the tip of the condom. This leaves space for any fluids that might fill the condom during use.
  3. Place the condom on the penis, strapless, prosthetic, or sex toy. If we're placing the condom on an uncircumcised penis, pull the foreskin back before placing the condom on. We can put a few drops of lube inside the condom before rolling it down.
  4. Roll down the condom down the shaft to the base. We can add more lube to the outside of the condom

🕐 After Use

  1. If the condom is being used with a penis or strapless, there may be cum (ejaculate). To prevent spilling fluids, we hold the rim of the condom so it stays on the hard penis or strapless.
  2. Pull the condom-covered penis or strapless out of the receptive partner's mouth, front hole, or bum, or sex toy. 
  3. Pointing away from any partners, carefully take the condom off.
  4. We can then tie the condom to seal off any fluids and throw it in the garbage. 

💬 Talking About Condoms

It’s not always easy to ask a partner to use a condom. Condoms are one way to care for ourselves, but they aren't the only option! Other options include:

  • PrEP (HIV prevention pill)

  • HIV treatment

  • Regular testing