How to wear a condom?

Condoms can be used for as long as you want. Some couples use male condoms always before sex as a means to prevent pregnancy for years while others use it as a secondary form of protection while being on other birth control. You can use condoms for many years or just a day - they are best to protect pregnancy and STD/STI's any time, without any side effects. 

There are many types of condoms. Do you need help on how to put on male condoms or female condoms? Are you searching for the best condoms that fit right and work perfectly? Read below: 

How do you put on a male condom?

1. Carefully tear open the package, starting from the serrated edge. The condom won't tear because it's flexible. But go gently, and don't use your teeth, or anything sharp, like scissors. Don't use the condom if the package is damaged or it's out of date.

Check which way the condom unrolls. It won't roll over the penis if it's the wrong way. If you accidentally start putting the condom on the wrong way around, throw it away and use a new one.

2. Place the condom on the head of the erect penis

3. Unroll the condom all the way to the base of the penis Read more here about condoms, including safety tips and how to take them off.

4. Use a new condom with each act of sexual intercourse. 

How to use condoms - Tips for male condoms 

Put it on with your mouth

Put the condom in your mouth, gently suck on the condom tip (teat) between your teeth, put the condom over the end of the penis in your mouth, then take the penis into your mouth to roll the condom down it. Try licking the condom all the way down.

If you want some extra practise before doing this on him, try practising on a cucumber or a dildo. This is a good technique to use if he says that wearing condoms or putting them on is awkward.

Give him the green light

Think of ripping open a condom packet as a ‘green light’ for sex. Taking a condom packet out and confidently ripping it open is a sexy way to show your partner that you’re ready for some penetrative action.

Use this on your partner especially if he’s not keen on the idea of using a condom. And add a bit of water-based lubricant on the inside of the condom so it slides on easily – not too much though, or the condom could slip off.

Tease him

Slowly slide a condom on him, gently caressing his penis, testicles or anus. To add some variation, ask him to put on a condom and show you how he likes to be touched. Let him know it turns you on.

Use thin condoms for a skin-to-skin feeling

Thinner condoms are no more likely to break than thicker or regular condoms when you’re having sex, even if you’re having anal sex. So to feel extra close, try using some thinner ones next time. This is a good option if you and your partner want to feel even closer during sex.

Messy is sexy

If you like sex that’s messy, and watching your partner come, get him to pull out before he ejaculates. He can take off the condom and come all over your chest, breasts or back.

How to put in a female condom?

Female condoms aren’t just for women. In Zimbabwe, men use the word ‘tekenyenza’ to describe the gorgeous tickle he feels when his penis rubs on the inner ring of the female condom.

After putting in a lubricated condom, some Indian women said they had their first orgasms!

1. Squeeze the inner ring (the smaller one), making the sides touch.

2. Push the inner ring in as far as it will go. Leave the larger ring on the outside.

3. Guide your partner's penis into the outer ring.

4. When you've finished, twist the condom three times, then pull it out.

How to use condoms - Tips for female condoms 

“Tease me, tease me, till I lose control” Get your partner to put the condom in your vagina, and then use fingers or his penis to gently massage the outer ring on your labia or clitoris.

“Look but don’t touch” Alternatively, you could put the condom in while your partner watches. Tell your partner that he can look but not touch!

“Bump and grind” Many women like it when their partner hits the inner ring of the female condom. Try it to see if you like it too… Apparently, this is pretty erotic for the guys – so much so that in Ghana men buy female condoms to masturbate with!

“You’re making me so hot” Unlike most male condoms, female ones are made out of polyurethane, which is thinner than latex. So much so that when you’re having intercourse you can feel your partner’s body heat.

“It only makes that noise when you’re doing it right” Female condoms can make a crinkly noise when you’re having sex, which can put some people off. However, you can tell your partner it only makes sexy noises when he’s doing it right!

Failure Rate for female condoms: 

The failure rates are higher than male condoms in both typical use (21%) and perfect use (5%).

Do you have any questions on how to use condoms? Share with Love Matters (LM) on our Facebook page. If you have a specific question, please ask LM experts on our discussion forum.