Healthier Scotland. Scottish Government

Barriers

Better, safer sex with condoms

Here are a few tips on using condoms:

• choose condoms with the CE mark – a recognised safety standard, don't use 'novelty' condoms – they are not safe
• use a fresh condom every time
• put the condom on well before there's any contact with the mouth, vagina or anus
• change condoms during sex if you're having sex for a long time
• use extra, water-based lubrication with your condoms for safer anal sex
• never use two condoms together (even male and female condoms)
• if you accidentally start unrolling it inside out, throw it away and start again with a fresh one
• squeeze the air out of the end before you start putting it on
• be careful with fingernails – they could tear the condom

Using extra lubrication, as well as the lube that comes already on the condom, can help prevent bursts and tears. It can also make sex feel better too (try putting an extra drop of lube inside to increase sensation).

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Using condoms with sex toys

If you share sex toys, covering dildos and vibrators with condoms can help you have safer sex.

Plastics, rubber and silicone can be very hard to clean properly – even with alcohol – and are great places for bacteria to grow and viruses to hide.

Put a fresh condom on the sex toy before you start and whenever you switch who's using it. That way, you'll help stop any infection passing from person to person.

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Safer oral sex

Using a condom for oral sex greatly cuts down the risk of sexually transmitted infections, which can be passed in either direction during unprotected oral sex.

For safer oral sex on a man, put a condom on before you get started. Lots of folks don't like the taste of condoms, so try using flavoured ones.

For safer oral sex on a woman you can use a latex square called a dam. You can get these from good chemists, online, from some sexual health projects or you could try at your local Sexual Health Service. They come in a range of flavours too.

Alternatively, use a cut up condom. (Female condoms are better for this as they're a bit bigger.)

You should also use a cut up condom or a dam if you want to lick or kiss the anus.

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