External condoms are thin sheaths or barriers placed over the penis or a sex toy during sex to prevent the exchange of body fluids. Condoms and barrier methods help prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and/or pregnancy. Condoms can be used for oral, anal, or vaginal sex, but should be switched out between different types of sex and never reused. Flavored condoms are intended only for oral sex and should not be used for vaginal or anal sex. External condoms come in a variety of styles and sizes, but all should fit snugly to keep fluids inside the condom.   

Condoms can be made from latex, non-latex materials (polyurethane), and natural membranes. Natural membrane or lambskin condoms do not protect against STIs.

Pick up assorted sizes and types of condoms for free from The Condom Concierge.  

How to Use an External Condom

1. Before having sex, check the expiration date and packaging for damage before opening carefully. 
2. Using your fingers, open the condom by moving it to the side and tearing along the perforation. 
3. Remove the condom and check to see if the condom tip is facing the correct direction (the tip should be sticking up through the side with a rolled outer rim).  
   • A drop or two of water-based or silicone-based lube can be place inside the condom or on the penis before placing the condom to reduce the likelihood of breaking, help it glide on, and increase pleasure. 
4. Pinch the tip of the condom and place it on an erect penis. 
   • Pull foreskin back if uncircumcised. 
5. Roll the rim of the condom down. (If it does not roll easily because it was placed the wrong way, throw it away and get a new one.) 
6. Roll the condom down to the base of the penis and ensure it fits snugly so it will not slide off.  
   • If it does not cover down to the base or if it is cutting off blood flow at the base, then the condom is too small and is more likely to break. 
7. Additional lube can also be added to the outside of the condom to make insertion more comfortable. 
8. After sex, to remove the condom, hold on to the base of the condom while pulling the penis out and away from your partner. 
9. Throw the condom away in the trash. 

How NOT to Use External Condoms

• DO NOT use oil-based lubricants with condoms. 
• DO NOT use more than one condom at a time. 
• DO NOT reuse a condom or continue using it after ejaculation. 

Internal condoms (sometimes called “female condoms”) are inserted inside into the vagina or anus rather than on a penis. They can be inserted up to two hours prior to sex. They are latex-free (nitrile) and have silicone lubricant. Internal condoms can be used as protection against pregnancy and STIs for vaginal or anal sex.

How to Use an Internal Condom

1. Before having sex, check the expiration date and packaging for damage before opening carefully. 
2. Using your fingers, open the condom by moving it to the side and tearing along the perforation. 
3. Identify the closed end with the thick, inner ring. The open end of the condom will remain outside of the body covering the area around the opening. 
   • Remove the ring for anal sex. 
   • Keep the ring for vaginal sex. 
4. Before vaginal sex, insert the internal condom by squeezing the closed end of the condom containing the inner ring so that it can be inserted into the vagina like a tampon or menstrual cup/disc. 
   • It may be helpful to find a comfortable position by squatting, putting one foot up on something, or laying down. 
5. For anal or vaginal insertion, use your finger to push the internal condom into place allowing about an inch of condom remaining on the outside. 
   • For vaginal use, the inner ring should rest against the cervix. 
6. Make sure the condom is not twisted. 
7. Hold the outer end of the condom in place while inserting the penis or sex toy. 
   • Make sure to avoid the internal condom slipping to the side. 
8. After sex, twist the outer ring of the condom to prevent semen from spilling out. 
9. Pull the condom slowly out and throw it away in the trash. 

Personal lubricant, or more commonly lube, is a gel-like fluid that can be used alone or with external/internal condoms and dental dams to increase sexual comfort and reduce breakage of safer sex products.  

Lubricants do not prevent STIs or pregnancy. When using lube with safer sex products such as condoms and dental dams, only use water-based or silicone-based lubricants. 

Flavored lube can also be used to increase pleasure and taste during oral sex but is not intended for internal use because it can cause irritation or infection.

Both silicone and water-based lubricants are offered by The Condom Concierge.  

How to Use Lube

1. Pick out a lubrication type:
   • Water-based: Safe to use with condoms and toys. May not last as long and require reapplication during sex. 
   • Silicone-based: Safe to use with condoms but may damage silicone toys. May be longer lasting 
   • Oil-based: Not safe to use with condoms or toys. It can cause condoms to break. 
2. Apply lubricant directly onto the genitals and to the opening and/or inside of the vagina or anus.
   • Lubrication is important to prevent tissue injury during anal sex. 
   • A drop of lubricant can be placed inside a condom or on the dental dam (the side facing the vulva or anus) to enhance pleasure or comfort. 
3. Reapply as needed.

A dental dam or oral dam is a thin, flavored latex or polyisoprene sheet that is placed on the vulva or the anus to create a barrier for when the mouth, lips, or tongue are used to sexually arouse a partner, also known as oral sex. Like the condom, the dental dam helps prevent fluids from being exchanged between partners and helps prevent skin-to-skin contact which is important for sexually transmitted infection (STI) protection. 

How to Use a Dental Dam

1. Check the expiration date and packaging for damage before opening carefully. 
2. Remove the oral dam/sheet and inspect for damage or tears. 
3. Place on vulva or anus before mouth/tongue contact occurs. 
4. Hold the oral dam in place so it does not move or fall off. 
5. Keep the same side down on the vulva or anus during use. 
6. After sex, throw away the used dental dam in the trash. Do not reuse. 

Flavored or unflavored water or silicone-based lubricants (NOT oil-based) can be used to safely increase pleasure – just make sure to keep the flavored lubricant on the mouth side and unflavored on the other side. 

If you do not have a dental dam, you can use non-porous plastic wrap or cut open a condom lengthwise.