Before any genital contact, put the condom on the tip of the erect penis with the rolled side out.

Don't forget the tip! If the condom does not have a reservoir tip, pinch the tip enough to leave a half-inch space for semen to collect.

To make the process more pleasurable, take time to stroke and massage the penis as you roll the condom upward. Many people with penises enjoy it when a partner puts the condom on them.

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​Use a new condom for every act of vaginal, anal and oral sex throughout the entire sex act! When used from start to finish, condoms prevent STDs and the pregnancies that could occur from pre-ejaculatory fluid. Also known as pre-cum, many people with penises leak this sperm containing fluid even before orgasm.

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After ejaculation and before the penis gets soft, grip the rim of the condom and carefully withdraw. Then gently pull the condom off the penis, making sure that semen doesn’t spill out. Wet wipes are a helpful commodity to have on hand when cleaning any genitals after sexual activity.​

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If you feel the condom break at any point during sexual activity, stop immediately, withdraw, remove the broken condom. A broken condom situation is often accompanied by confusion or high emotions, so take a break from sexual activity to cool down and process your feelings before moving on.

Ensure that adequate lubrication is always used during vaginal and anal sex. Flavored lubricants are unsafe for vaginal sex, as they can cause bacterial infections. Oil-based lubricants (e.g., petroleum jelly, shortening, mineral oil, massage oils, body lotions, and cooking oil) should not be used for the same reason, and also because they can weaken latex and cause a condom to break.

For more information on how to use a condom correctly, visit CDC’s Condom Effectiveness web site.