Condoms and Lube: A Practical Guide

Condoms are one of the simplest, cheapest, and most effective ways to protect yourself and a partner — they help prevent both pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections (STIs), and you don't need a prescription, an appointment, or a parent's permission to get them. Add lube to the mix and everything works better: the condom is less likely to break, and sex is more comfortable for everyone.

How to use a condom correctly

• Check the expiration date and make sure the wrapper has a little air cushion inside (squeeze it gently).
• Tear the condom open with your hands — never teeth or scissors — and take it out.
• Flip the condom so it can roll down (it only works one way).
• Pinch the tip, and while pinching, roll the condom all the way down to the base.
• Still pinching the tip, smooth out any air bubbles with your other hand.
• Use water- or silicone-based lube on the outside of the condom.
• When you're done, pull out while the penis is still erect so the condom doesn't slip off — hold the base as you do.
• Throw it in the trash, not the toilet (it can clog pipes).

Can someone be allergic to condoms?

Yes. Most condoms are made of latex, and some people get itchy or swollen when they come into contact with it. If that's you, don't worry — you have options that keep you just as safe:

• Polyurethane (plastic) condoms — the Durex Avanti is one well-known kind.
• Internal ("female") condoms — designed to go inside a vagina or anus instead of over a penis; also made of polyurethane.
• Lambskin condoms — WARNING: these only protect against pregnancy, not STIs.

Where can I get condoms?

At the Daly City Youth Health Center, of course. We hand out a bag of 16 condoms plus a packet of lube — completely free, no questions asked.

If you can't make it to the Health Center, condoms are sold pretty much everywhere: pharmacies, supermarkets, convenience stores. There's no minimum age to buy condoms, although small corner-store clerks technically have the right to refuse service to anyone — big chain stores won't give you any trouble.

What's the point of a flavored condom?

Flavored condoms are for protection during oral sex on a penis — and ONLY for oral sex. They're not designed for vaginal or anal sex, so they break more easily, and the sugars in the flavoring can cause vaginal infections and make STIs easier to catch. Keep them in their own lane.

What is lube, and why bother?

• It helps your condom last longer.
• It makes the condom less likely to break.
• It makes anal and vaginal sex more comfortable.

If you use lube, make sure it's water- or silicone-based. Anything oily — lotion, Vaseline, baby oil, massage oil — breaks down latex and will make your condom fail. When buying lube, check that the bottle says "compatible with latex condoms"; common store brands include Astroglide and ID Glide.

One more tip: if you're putting lube inside the condom, use only one or two drops — any more and the condom can slide right off. On the outside, use as much as you need.

I got a packet of flavored lube in my condom bag — what's that for?

It's for protecting yourself during oral sex on a penis. The condoms you get from the Health Center aren't pre-flavored, so you can add the flavored lube to them. Just remember: that flavored lube is not for vaginal or anal sex.