Condoms

Condoms are a barrier that stops sperm, and infections, from passing between people when they have sex.  
 
External condoms are thin rubber tubes that roll over a penis, sex toy, or strap before sex.

Internal condoms are larger than external condoms. They are tubes with flexible rings at each end — one end is closed, and the other end is open.  

External condoms roll over a penis, sex toy, or strap before sex. This stops cum, and STIs, from entering your vagina or anus.

Internal condoms are inserted into a vagina or anus. It covers the inside of your vagina, or anus, and collects cum. This stops sperm, and STIs, from entering your vagina or anus.  

How to use a condom correctly

Condoms are made of a very thin latex rubber, polyurethane, or polyisoprene. If you’re allergic to rubber, there are still condoms that you can use. We can help you get condoms that work for you. You could also try using internal condoms — they are latex free. 

Typically, condoms are 85% effective at preventing pregnancy. That means 15 out of every 100 people that use condoms — and no other type of contraception — will get pregnant every year. Most of those pregnancies will happen because condoms haven’t been used correctly.

When condoms are used correctly, they are 98% effective. That means 2 out of every 100 people that use condoms will get pregnant every year.

A really good way to protect yourself from pregnancy is: use a condom plus another type of contraception. 

Check out other types of contraception

Condoms are the best protection you can use against STIs — for example:

• Viruses like HIV — which can lead to AIDS — won’t pass through an unbroken rubber condom
• Condoms will reduce your risk of getting STIs — like chlamydia or gonorrhoea
• Condoms will reduce your risk of getting syphilis, herpes, and HPV — remember: skin that isn’t covered by a condom can still get infected

• You can only use a condom once. You need to use a new condom every time you have sex. 
• You need to use a new condom each time you switch from anal to vaginal, or oral, sex.
• Condoms should have a use by date on the packet. Don’t use expired condoms or condoms without a use by date. 
• Heat can damage condoms — it’s a good idea to store them somewhere cool and dry. 

Advantages:

• Easy to use and carry
• You only use condoms when you need them
• Protection against STIs
• No side effects — unless you’re allergic to rubber
• Help prevent cervical cancer
• It’s easy to get condoms from our clinics, or from other health care providers
• You can buy condoms from pubs, clubs, pharmacies, supermarkets, and many other shops
• You can get a prescription for condoms

Disadvantages:

• They aren’t the most effective type of contraception
• Some people are allergic to rubber
• You need to put a condom on every time you have sex
• Condoms have to be put on when a penis is already erect — but before you have sex
• Some people don’t like the feel of condoms
• Condoms can slip off or break 

This is a checklist of things that are really good to do, or know, before you start using condoms:

• Practise putting condoms on
• Always check the use by date of your condoms — expired condoms are no good
• Check the condom’s packet for damage — if the packet is damaged, use a different condom
• Learn how to use condoms correctly
• Use a water-based lube when you use a condom — that’ll make it less likely to break
• Don’t re-use a condom — throw it away after one use
• It’s not a good idea to use novelty condoms
• Don’t use an external condom at the same time as an internal condom 

Here are step by step instructions on how to use a condom correctly:

1. Check the condom packet. Make sure that the packet isn’t damaged, and that the condom hasn’t passed its use by date.
2. Open the packet carefully — fingernails, rings, and teeth might tear the condom.
3. Make sure your penis, sex toy, or strap, doesn’t touch anyone’s vagina, mouth, or anus until it’s covered by a condom.
4. Check the condom is the right way up.
5. Pinch the tip of the condom to remove any air.
6. Roll the condom on over a hard penis, sex toy, or strap — all the way down to the base. If the condom doesn't roll, you’ve probably put the condom on the wrong way. If that’s the case, start over with a new condom.
7. Use a water-based lube.
8. If you cum, start to get soft, or you’re finished using your penis, hold the condom at the base of the penis and carefully pull out. You don’t want to spill any cum.
9. Wrap the used condom in tissue, or toilet paper, and put it in the rubbish.
10. Use a new condom and lube every time you have sex. Use a new condom anytime you switch from anal, to vaginal or oral sex. Never re-use a condom. Never use a condom that has already been opened. 

These are some of the most common reasons that your condoms break or slip off:

• The condom isn’t put on correctly
• The condom is the wrong size
• The condom has been torn by fingernails, jewellery, or teeth
• You aren’t using enough lube
• You aren’t using a water-based lube — other lubes can damage condoms
• You have very hard and fast sex, or you have sex for a very long time
• Your penis gets soft, and the condom falls off
• The condom falls off when you’re pulling out
• The condom has been stored in a warm place and has become weak
• The condom is too old — past its use by date
• Some thrush treatments can damage condoms — clotrimazole is the least likely thrush treatment to damage condoms 

If you often have problems when you use condoms, talk to us about it. We may be able to help. 

Lube makes it easy to slide in and out during sex. 

If you don’t have enough lube, your condom is likely to break. It’s a really good idea to always use lube when you use a condom — especially if you are having anal sex. 

You need to use a water-based lube when you use a condom.

Oil-based lubes will damage your condom. Oil based lubes are things like:­ Vaseline, baby oil, suntan oils, cooking oils, butter, or table spread, hand lotion, or massage oils. You don’t want to use oil-based lubes when you are using a condom.

If you have nothing else, you can use spit as a lube — but it normally dries quickly, and isn’t slippery enough to really work well.

It’s a good idea to avoid using spermicides.

Spermicides can irritate sensitive skin and they increase the risk of sexually transmissible infections (STIs). 

If a condom breaks or slips off, and you’re worried about pregnancy: go to one of our clinics, a doctor, or a pharmacy for emergency contraception within 72 hours.

It’s also a good idea to get an STI test. It doesn’t matter whether the condom was on a penis, sex toy, or strap — if the condom breaks or slips off, it’s best to get an STI test.

If a penis went inside your vagina, or cum spilled on your vulva, you might become hapū. You probably won’t become hapū if you are on the pill, or if you are using long-acting contraception. If you had sex without a condom, and you aren’t using contraception, it’s a good idea to get a pregnancy test.

You can get an STI test, or a pregnancy test, at any of our clinics.

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Some people don’t want to use condoms. If you want to use a condom, and the person you plan to have sex with doesn’t want to use a condom, it’s often best to not have sex with that person. 
 
If you still want to have sex with a person who doesn’t want to use a condom, you can try having kinds of sex that don’t need condoms. These are some types of sex, or physical intimacy, that don’t need condoms:

• Masturbating together
• Massaging each other
• Cuddling

If you tell somebody that you want to use a condom — to keep yourself safe from STIs or pregnancy — and they say that they don’t want to use a condom with you, that’s a red flag.  
 
A person that respects your body and your health will take you seriously when you say that you want to use a condom.  

You’re legally allowed to buy condoms at any age.

You can get a prescription for condoms from us, or you can buy condoms from our web shop. We can even prescribe you condoms in a phone appointment.

You can buy condoms from pharmacies, supermarkets, and lots of other shops. 

You can also buy internal condoms from us, or from some pharmacies.

We can help you decide if the external or the internal condom is best for you. We can help you with other contraception types too. 
 
We are sexual wellness experts. You might find it scary or embarrassing to talk about this stuff, but we have seen and heard it all before. 
 
Anyone can visit our clinics. If you want to talk to us, we're here to talk to you. 

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