Dos & Don'ts

DOs:

  • DO use only latex or polyurethane condoms.
  • DO store unused condoms at room temperature (68–77°F or 20–25°C) — not in extreme heat or cold — and away from moisture, direct sunlight and direct fluorescent light.
  • DO put the condom on an erect (hard) penis before there is any contact with a partner's genitals.
  • DO use plenty of lubricant with latex condoms as lubricant reduces friction and minimizes the risk of the condom breaking.
  • DO change to a new condom if you have prolonged vigorous and/or anal sex to avoid tearing or breakage.

DON'Ts:

  • DON’T store condoms in a glove compartment, trunk, wallet or back pocket where the temperature and humidity can damage them. And don’t use them after the expiration date, as old condoms can be dry, brittle or weakened and can break more easily.
  • DON’T use two condoms at the same time- it can make the condoms slip off or break.
  • DON’T unroll the condom before putting it on the erect penis.
  • DON’T use oil-based products, like baby or cooking oils, hand lotion or petroleum jelly/Vaseline as lubricants with latex condoms. The oil quickly weakens latex and can cause condoms to break.
  • DON’T use your fingernails or teeth when opening a condom wrapper. It's very easy to tear the condom inside. If you do tear a condom while opening the wrapper, throw that condom away and get a new one.
  • DON’T reuse a condom. Always use a new condom each time you have anal, oral or vaginal sex.
  • DON’T use lubricants with spermicide called nonoxynol-9 ("N-9") as they may cause skin irritation or tiny abrasions that make the genital skin more susceptible to sexually transmitted infections (STIs) like HIV.