Internal Condoms
November 2, 2020
At YouthCO, we've been exploring the world of internal condoms and we're excited to share what we've learned.
We can use internal condoms in front holes, vaginas, and bums! Internal condoms can prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV, as well as pregnancy. Nitrile and polyurethane condoms work well with water, oil, or silicone-based lube. Lube helps reduce friction during insertion and use. Both internal condoms and lube are available at YouthCO during our online or in-person events!
Below, you can find our guides to understanding and using internal condoms, with art by Alisha Lee.
Condoms and lube can add different sensations to our play! They can also prevent passing HIV and STIs and pregnancy.
When we’re with our partners, consent is a necessary part of sex. Consent is about getting on the same page with our partners. For more information about consent, check out Kai Cheng Thom's writing here.
Internal condoms can be used in a front hole, vagina, or bum.
Internal condoms are usually made of nitrile or polyurethane, not latex. We can check this on the packaging. We can use water-, silicone-, or oil-based lube with nitrile and polyurethane internal condoms. Oil-based lubes damage latex condoms.
Internal condoms are often pre-lubed with silicone lube. This can break down silicone, such as toys and prosthetics, and cause some cloudiness. If this is a concern, we can opt for non-lubed internal condoms or internal condoms that come with non-silicone based lubes. We can put an internal condom inside our bodies up to 2 hours before we need it!
First things first!
Check the expiration date on the side of the condom packaging. Gently tear the package open, making sure not to rip the condom.
Take a second to figure out which end is open (bigger ring) and which end is closed (smaller ring). The closed end goes inside our bodies. During use, be mindful that the outer ring stays outside the body, and that the prosthetic, body part, or sex toy being inserted goes inside the condom and does not push it to the side. The outer ring stays outside the body so we can take the condom out when we are done.
Putting the condom inside a front hole or vagina:
Squeeze the smaller inner ring of the condom
Slowly insert the inner ring and gently guide it inside with fingers, a toy, or a partner, keeping the bigger ring outside the body.
Putting the condom inside a bum:
We may want to take out the ring on the inside for greater comfort. Put the condom on a hard body part, prosthetic, or toy and gently push it inside the bum, keeping the outer ring outside the body.
When we are no longer using the condom:
Twist the outer ring of the condom and pull it out slowly. Put the used condom in the garbage.
How can I get internal condoms?
We can attend a YouthCO event online or in-person for access to free internal condom packs, including lube. We can sometimes buy them at pharmacies - unfortunately, often sold as "female" condoms - for about $15 for a pack of 3. We can also buy them online.