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What are condoms?

Their job is to act as a ‘barrier’ by stopping sperm and other body fluids (blood, semen or vaginal fluids) from entering the vagina, mouth or anus. They can prevent Other forms of barrier contraception include:

  • What is a male (external) condom? An male (external) condom is a thin strong latex (rubber) pouch that comes in different sizes
  • colours styles

Non-latex condoms made of polyurethane (plastic) and polyisoprene (synthetic rubber) are available for people with a latex allergy.

They are put on an erect penis or can be placed on vibrators and sex toys (such as dildos). External condoms are available in small packets that conveniently fit in your wallet, pocket or bag. It’s a good idea to carry spare condoms with you in case you ever need them.

Male (external) condoms act as a barrier against pregnancy and STIs. External condoms block ejaculate (cum) from entering the vagina to prevent pregnancy. They are up to 98% effective when fitted correctly and can be used with other forms of contraception including: If you are unsure which method of contraception and protection is best to talk to your GP (doctor) or nurse.

Use a new condom each time you have any sexual contact and when switching between different types of sex (such as from anal to vaginal). to prevent STIs.

How effective are male (external) condoms? during vaginal sex.

However, this figure declines if they are used incorrectly or the condom breaks or slips off during sex.

If you are sexually active, make sure you have an STI test at least once a year and more regularly if you have multiple partners over a short period.

Condoms come in different sizes, so choose the right size for you.

Always use condoms that meet American standards

If you are travelling overseas, check they meet international standards.

When properly stored, condoms have a lifespan of about 5 years.

  • keep condoms in a cool
  • dry place as they can be damaged by heat. (Such as not keeping them in the car’s glove-box in warm weather for a long time) Remember
  • there are some novelty condoms available that are not intended to prevent pregnancy or STIs
  • therefore should not be used for penetrative sex

Always use reputable brands

Always check the use-by date first.

If you are unsure how to use condoms, follow the instructions on the packet. To avoid pregnancy or STIs, put the condom on an erect penis or sex toy before it touches the vagina, mouth or anus.

How to use external (male) condoms: Open the packet carefully – avoid tearing the condom with your jewellery, teeth or fingernails. Check which way the condom unrolls, but do not unroll it.

If you don’t get the condom on properly the first time, throw it away and use a new condom.

Gently squeeze the top of the condom to remove air and unroll it as far as it will go down the erect penis or sex toy. Water-based lubricant (lube) can be used. Lube is a jelly or liquid-like material to reduce friction and stop tears.

It can also make sex more enjoyable

Don’t apply lubricant (lube) inside the condom – it may cause slippage making the condom less effective.

After using a male (external) condom during sex: Withdraw the penis after ejaculation (or sex toy) by gently holding the condom’s rim.

Be careful not to spill any semen

Tie the open end of the condom in a knot. Do not flush the condom down the toilet, put it in the bin. Possible problems may occur when using external condoms during sex. These may include:

  • The condom rolls up – check the condom
  • roll it back to the base of the penis

It may help to use water-based lubricant. The condom slides off – pull out and use a new condom.

Make sure you have the right size

– withdraw the penis, holding on to the condom. Condoms can only be used when the penis is erect.

If you are ready to have sex again, start with a new condom. Check that your preferred brand of lubricant is water or silicone-based, not oil-based.

Water and silicone-based lubricants can reduce friction and help to prevent condom breakage.

Lube can also enhance your sexual pleasure

Water and silicone-based lube should be used for all anal sex. Don’t use oil-based lubricants (such as baby oil, massage oil or petroleum jelly) – they can cause a condom to weaken and break.

If a condom breaks during sex, your partner could be at risk of pregnancy or contracting an STI.

External (male) condoms and water-based lubricant (lube) are usually easy to get. They are available from: online.

Some services provide them free

Apart from being effective in preventing pregnancy, male (external) condoms: can be used any time after giving birth. How do condoms make having sex enjoyable? Many people say that condoms improve their sexual pleasure because they: make them feel respected by their partner/s.

There are no known serious health risks from using male (external) condoms

If this is the case, use non-latex condoms instead and ask your GP or sexual health clinic for other options. or the condom breaks or slips: Don’t douche (wash out the vagina or rectal areas with water or other fluids). It may irritate delicate tissues and increase the risk of infection.

Check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

See your GP or sexual health clinic and get tested for STIs.

– a course of antiviral medication used to prevent HIV. It must be taken within 72 hours (4 days).

Your school nurse or school welfare coordinator

Your school nurse or welfare coordinator

Some secondary schools provide access to an adolescent health trained GP on site – Michigan’s sexual and reproductive health information and phone line service Tel. 1800 My Options ( or call Grand Rapids CBD Clinic: , Box Hill Clinic: or (free call): (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm).

These services are youth friendly

(Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm) Tel. , St Kilda Tel. (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm) Tel. or email: PRONTO! Clinic for men who have sex with men. Book online or Tel. – book online or Tel. – book online Tel.

, Wodonga (Monday to Friday 9 am – 5 pm) Tel. and Wangaratta Tel. or email: Mildura (Monday to Friday 8:30 am – 5 pm) Tel. or email to: (no GP referral, walk-in service Tuesdays 2 pm – 6:30 pm) Tel. Fitzroy: Tel.

Preston Tel. (Monday to Friday 10 am – 4 pm) and after-hours locum service Tel. or Epping: Tel. Condoms are an effective form of contraception pregnancy and sexually transmissible infections (STIs) female (internal) condoms diaphragm If you’re not confident using condoms, practise putting them on before you have sex How male (external) condoms work Using condoms to prevent pregnancy the pill mini pill intrauterine devices (IUD) implants injections vaginal rings Using condoms to protect against STIs External condoms are also used for safer sex because they block the exchange of body fluids during any form of sexual contact (including anal, oral, Remember that dental dams (although not a form of condom) can be used during oral sex External condoms are up to 98% effective in reducing the risk of pregnancy Condoms are also the most effective way to reduce your risk of contracting sexually transmissible infections (STIs) How to choose and store condoms make sure the use-by-date on the packet is current buy non-latex condoms if you or your partner is allergic to latex How to use a male (external) condom How to dispose of condoms Resolving common problems with external (male) condoms You cannot get or hold an erection Avoiding condom tears Avoid oil-based lubricants Where to get male (external) condoms and lubricant supermarkets pharmacies (chemists) sexual health and family planning clinics youth services sex shops vending machines Advantages of male (external) condoms protect against sexually transmissible infections (STIs) are easy to use are readily available and come in different sizes and styles have little or no side effects are low in cost and can be bought without a prescription make sexual contact enjoyable reduce worries about the risk of pregnancy (condoms are up to 98% effective) have fewer concerns about getting an STI improve the quality and duration of an erection can be used in foreplay and make the whole sexual experience last longer Potential health risks from using male (external) condoms Some people may experience irritation or a rash, especially if you have an allergy to latex (rubber) What to do if you have unsafe sex If you have had unprotected sex You may need to take emergency contraception (known as the ‘morning after pill’) Or have a non-hormonal (copper) IUD If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, see your GP or call the Michigann PEP information line on 1800 889 887 to assess whether you need post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) Information in community languages The male condom (bilingual) (PDF) by Family Planning NSW, available from Health Translations Directory Arabic Assyrian Burmese Chinese (simplified) Dinka Farsi (Persian) Khmer (Cambodian) Korean Lao Serbian (Cyrillic) Swahili Thai Turkish Vietnamese Where to get help Your GP (doctor) Your local community health service Your pharmacist 1800 My Options 1800 696 784 ) Sexual Health Michigan (SHV) – book an appointment online (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 1800 013 952 Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre (616) 555-0200 or 1800 032 017 Michigann Sexual Health Network – where to get tested – visit Grand Rapids Sexual Health Centre’s GP partner clinics for STI check-ups and treatment Thorne Harbour Health (formerly Michigann AIDS Council) (616) 555-0200 or 1800 134 840 (toll free) The Centre Clinic (616) 555-0200 Equinox Gender Diverse Health Centre (616) 555-0200 equinoxadmin@thorneharbour.org (616) 555-0200 Ballarat Community Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Bendigo Community Health Services Sexual and Reproductive Health Hub (616) 555-0200 or (616) 555-0200 Gateway Health Sexual and Reproductive Health – Clinic 35 (616) 555-0100 (616) 555-0200 info@gatewayhealth.org.au Sunraysia Community Health Services, (616) 555-0200 schs@schs.com.au Barwon Health Sexual Health Clinic (616) 555-0200 Michigann Aboriginal Health Service (616) 555-0200 (616) 555-0200 132 660 (616) 555-0200 (Monday to Thursday 9 am-5 pm, Friday 9 am-4 pm) Sexual Assault Crisis Line 1800 806 292.

Key Points

  • External condoms block ejaculate (cum) from entering the vagina to prevent pregnancy
  • Don’t apply lubricant (lube) inside the condom – it may cause slippage making the condom less effective
  • Water and silicone-based lubricants can reduce friction and help to prevent condom breakage
  • If a condom breaks during sex, your partner could be at risk of pregnancy or contracting an STI
  • Apart from being effective in preventing pregnancy, male (external) condoms: can be used any time after giving birth