Cite this Response
Alice! Health Promotion. "How can I make sure my condom works properly? ." Go Ask Alice!, Columbia University, 05 May. 2025, https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/how-can-i-make-sure-my-condom-works-properly. Accessed 24, May. 2025.
Alice! Health Promotion. (2025, May 05). How can I make sure my condom works properly? . Go Ask Alice!, https://goaskalice.columbia.edu/answered-questions/how-can-i-make-sure-my-condom-works-properly.
Dear Alice,
Recently, during intercourse, my condom broke. Now, of course, I am very worried about it happening again. I am constantly checking the condom during sex and find that the condom is extremely tight against the tip of my penis whenever I check. I am afraid it will get tight again and break. I'm not sure what to do or where to go. Is the condom supposed to be very tight at the tip or not? Any help would be great.
Thanks,
M
Dear Alice,
Here's my query. I recently started having sex, and we are committed to using condoms. What is the "right" way to use a condom? I know how to put them on and take them off. But I'm petrified about having it break or come off. Also, someone told me that I should pull out immediately after I ejaculate. Is this true? This has happened before, but I have "stayed in" because I wanted my partner to have an orgasm. Is it really important to withdraw immediately after ejaculation?
Thanks for all your help,
Having fun and being safe
Dear M and Having fun and being safe,
Condoms are a great way to protect yourself and your partner(s) from things like pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections (STIs). There are a few different kinds of condoms, including internal condoms however, this response will focus on external condoms (which cover the penis) as this sounds like the type of condom you’re both describing. External condoms are a convenient and reliable form of barrier protection and can be up to 98 percent effective when used correctly. Most condom failure is due to improper use. That said, too much friction can also cause a condom to tear and using the wrong size might cause it to slip off. Read on to learn about how to prevent these things from happening!
What is the correct way to use a condom?
The first step is making sure you have a condom that fits properly. There are many different sizes, textures, thicknesses, and brands to choose from. If it’s too loose, it may not stay on properly. On the other hand, if it’s too tight, it may be more likely to break. Follow in the footsteps of Prince Charming and try a bunch of different kinds until you find the perfect fit. The best condom for you is one that will stay on, that isn’t too tight, and that you won’t be tempted to take off.
To put a condom on correctly:
- Check the condom wrapper to see that it isn’t expired, stiff, or punctured in any way.
- Using both hands (and not your mouth) tear at the perforations on the wrapping to open the condom and remove it.
- You can unroll it a bit to make sure it’s not inside out.
- Pinch the tip with your thumb and forefinger leaving about a half an inch of room at the end and hold it against the head of the penis. This leaves room for the ejaculate.
- While holding the tip, unroll the condom down the shaft of the penis to the base.
- Even if the condom is already lubricated, apply plenty of lube before having sex, and add more if things start to feel a bit dry. This will help defend against friction which could lead to breakage.
- When you are done, hold the rim of the condom when pulling out to keep it from slipping off or leaking.
Overall, the best way to use a condom is to make it fun or sexy! You can have your partner put it on for you or make it a regular part of foreplay. Whatever keeps you both excited and safe!
How can you prevent a condom from failing?
The most important step in helping a condom do its job is to make sure you get the right one! This means finding the right size for you as well as one that doesn’t decrease pleasure, which is commonly related to the material and thickness.
One step to preventing a condom from failing is to take care of it before you even use it. Make sure that they’re not stored long-term in places like wallets or glove compartments. These locations often vary in temperature and wear down the condom material making them less reliable.
After the condom has done its job (and you’ve done yours), it’s usually a good idea to pull out not long after. Otherwise, you may begin to lose your erection, which makes it more likely that the condom will slip off. Hold the rim of the condom when you do pull out to keep it from remaining in your partner. Tie it off so the contents stay inside and then throw it away in the trash can and not the toilet. Condoms aren’t meant to be used more than once!
What should you do if a condom breaks or falls off?
If the sensation during sex changes at any point (like if you hear a tearing sound or things suddenly feel different), you might want to check on the condom. If it’s torn or has fallen off, don’t panic! If you act quickly, you can prevent pregnancy or STIs.
If pregnancy is a possibility, you may want to seek out emergency contraception (such as Plan B or Ella). If you’re unsure of your partner’s HIV status, consider visiting a clinic to take a rapid test—which will help you figure out if you need to go on Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP). Additionally, it may be worth checking in with a health care provider about the best time to test for other STIs.
Now that that’s all wrapped up, go have some safe(r) fun!