Condom
Hear this word Condom
Also known as: rubber, hat, jimmy, balloon
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What Is It?
A condom is an item to help with safer sex. It helps to prevent pregnancy and can also lower the risk of sexually transmitted infections, or STIs. There are external condoms and internal condoms.
Condoms act as a barrier between sexual partners. Condoms help to prevent body fluids (like semen and fluid from the vagina) from entering or touching a sexual partner’s body.
Condoms are available at health centers (often for free), pharmacies, and grocery stores.
Never use a condom that is torn and never reuse a condom.
External condom on an erect penis
Internal condom inside the vagina
An Example
Abigail and Dan use condoms during sex to avoid passing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to each other and to help prevent pregnancy. Together they decide if they would like to use external condoms or internal condoms.
Preparing to use condoms
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- Some condoms are called external condoms because they are put on the outside of a penis or a sex toy before inserting into another person’s body. Other condoms are called internal condoms because they are inserted inside the body, either the vagina or the anus, before a penis, finger, or sex toy is inserted.
- Always use new condoms that are not expired.
- Used condoms should always be thrown away after each sexual activity.
- To increase pleasure and to add more slipperiness, some people use a few drops of water-based lubricant when they use condoms.
- After putting an external condom on a penis or sex toy, add a few drops of lubricant to the outside of the condom. Some people add a drop of lubricant inside an external condom before rolling it on the penis or before inserting an internal condom into the vagina or anus.
Think about
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How might a person communicate with their partner about using condoms during sex?
They can share that they are looking forward to having sex with their partner and they want to use condoms during sex.
They can help partners to put on the external condom or help partners to insert the internal condom correctly.
Let their partners know that they have backup condoms available.
Why might some people prefer an external condom?
- Some people prefer external condoms because they are easy to get for low-cost or for free at many locations.
- They might have more experience putting an external condom on a penis or a sex toy.
- They might prefer how an external condom feels during sex.
