External Condom
Hear this word External Condom
Also known as: rubber, condom
Image description: A drawing of a penis in an erect state with an external condom over it.
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What Is It?
An external condom is a thin stretchy pouch that is worn over the penis. An external condom can prevent semen from entering a sexual partner's body.
Using one correctly can help prevent pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. External condoms are usually made of a material called latex.
External condoms can be bought in may stores, such as pharmacies. Some organizations or medical offices offer condoms for free.
An Example
Drew and Kelly like to be prepared with external condoms before their dates. They both want to make sure they have condoms to protect each other. They want to avoid passing sexually transmitted infections (STIs) to each other and they want to reduce the chance of creating a pregnancy during penis-in-vagina sex.
What to Know
Every glossary word connects to different parts of the Sexuality Wheel. Explore the information below to learn more.
- An external condom can prevent semen from entering a person’s body.
- During penis-in-vagina sex, an external condom can help to prevent a pregnancy.
- External condoms can also be worn during oral sex, anal sex, or penis-in-vagina sex to prevent passing sexually transmitted infections, or STIs between partners.
- How to Use an External Condom:
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- OPEN the package carefully after checking the expiration date.
- PINCH the tip to make room for semen.
- ROLL the condom down to the base of the penis or sex toy.
- ACT only if you have consent.
- HOLD & REMOVE condom while turned away from your partner and avoid spillage.
- THROW AWAY the used condom in the trash.
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- An external condom should be worn only once.
- An external condom can rip or tear during sexual activity. If this happens, carefully remove and throw away the torn condom. Put a new external condom on the penis before continuing sexual activity.
- Sometimes people use a little water-based lubricant to make the external condom more comfortable.
- Sometimes people are allergic to latex condoms. They might feel itchy or uncomfortable from the latex material. Polyurethane condoms might be a better choice for people who are allergic to latex.
- External condoms are available in different sizes to fit all types of penises.
- If someone says they will not wear a condom, it’s okay to say you don’t want to have sex!
Think about
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How might a person ask their partner to use an external condom?
- "Do you have a condom? I have some if you don’t. Can you put one on before we have sex?"
- "I really like you. If we have sex, I want us to use condoms. If we don’t have condoms, then I won’t want to have sex, but maybe we can do other things. How do you feel?"
- "If you wear a condom, it will help me focus on us instead of worrying about STIs or pregnancy. Will you put on a condom before we have sex?"
Do you know where to get external condoms?
- External condoms are available in many locations including pharmacies, grocery stories, health care centers.