Evaluating and opening a Condom
|
Condoms are 97 percent effective against most STD's, HIV and unwanted pregnancy when used properly, every time. Therefore, it is important to know how to use a condom. Below you will find instructions on how to evaluate if a condom is good for use. You will also find links to instructions on how to use a condom.
|
Expiration Date of a Condom |
Seal of a Condom Package |
Opening a Condom Properly |
|
|
|
| Here, a condom, shown actual size, has the expiration date printed on the back (shown magnified). Different brands will have the expiration date printed in different locations. You can see that the expiration date on this condom is the third month, March, of the year 2003. |
In the photo above, you can see that the condom is like a small inflated pillow. Look at the corners and notice how they are filled with air. A condom with a broken seal will not do this. |
Many condoms have a "notch" in the edge of the packaging as a place to begin tearing. Notice in the photo above that the condom package is torn only partially. The person opening the condom has stopped in order to be sure that the condom itself is not being torn with the packaging. |
| |
Use Condom-Safe Lubricants |
 There are many brands of lubricants (lube) available on the market that are safe to use with latex condoms. These condom-safe lubricants have water or silicon bases and have no petroleum or oil products in them. Be sure to check the label of any lubricant before using it. Condoms may stick to skin and hair so it is reccomended to use them with appropriate lube(s).
Lube can make the use of a condom during sex more comfortablel for both partners, and they can protect condom durability.
|
Instructions on How to Use a Condom |
For a condom to be effective at preventing the spread of HIV, STD's and preventing pregnancy, it must be used properly. DCAP has created two styles of "How to Use a Condom" instructions. One style is without photos and uses words only. The other is words and photos. The photos are of a condom being placed on a penis model that is made of laytex. Please chose a style that is comfortable to you, or you can chose to return to the Douglas County AIDS Project's homepage.
|
|
