Condoms & Lube
Condom Information
Condoms are not 100% safe but are the best way of stopping HIV and other sexually transmitted infections. If they break or slip off it’s usually because they’ve not been used properly.
Which Type
Condoms come in different thicknesses, sizes, shapes and even tastes. So make sure you get that one that’s right for you.
Thicker or Thinner
It used to be thought gay men needed thicker (‘extra safe’) condoms because regular (thinner) condoms weren’t strong enough for anal sex. But research now shows regular condoms are no more likely to break during anal sex than thicker (‘extra safe’) ones.
All other condoms, including other types of Durex and Mates condoms, are ‘regular’ thickness –i.e. thinner but still safe to use for anal sex. Whether a condom breaks or comes off isn’t connected to thickness but whether it’s used properly.
Flavoured
Flavoured condoms can make oral sex safer. As long as they have a kite mark of CE mark, they can also be used for anal sex.
Size
Too wide and a condom is more likely to come off. Too narrow and it’s uncomfortable. There can be up to 1.5cm difference in widths.
Smaller width condoms are sold with names like ‘snug’, ’snug fit’ or ‘trim’;
Larger width condoms vary in width from 5.5cm to 6.5cm (it’s stated on the box)
Rubber or Plastic
Most condoms are made of latex (a kind of rubber). One brand (Avanti) is made of a type of thin plastic called polyurethane. It’s good for people allergic to latex. It’s also baggier and wider than most latex condom, feels thinner and has no rubber smell. It’s safe to use oil-based lube with polyurethane condoms (oil-based lubes rot latex ones).
Condom Tips:
- Carry condoms on you just in case
- Strong sunlight, heat and damp weaken them
- Each condom has an expiry date on its wrapper, so make sure it’s in date
- Check there is a kite mark or CE mark
- Wearing two condoms (one on top of the other) cause friction, meaning more chance they’ll break
Doing it right
Here are some tips:
- Avoid stretching or unrolling condoms before putting them on – it can weaken them
- Condoms can only go over a hard cock
- Tearing the pack with your teeth risks ripping the condom
- A condom’s on the right way if you can put it on your finger and start rolling it down
- Squeezing air out of the tip (‘teat’) gets rid of air pockets – these make rips and spillage likely
- Hold the condom over the top of the dick then roll all the way down to the base
- Add lube to the outside of the condom and on the arsehole of the guy being fucked. Lube inside condoms makes them more likely to slide off!
- Add more lube and check the condom – condoms are more likely to break after 30 minutes or so
- After cumming, hold the condom at the base of the cock when pulling out to avoid cum leaking out of the condom or staying inside the arse.
Hard-on Problems
- Get the other guy to put the condom on you
- Or grip the base of the cock to keep it stiff
- A cock ring may help!
- If this persists see you GP or Sexual Health Clinic
To increase sensation, try condoms that are:
- Thinner
- Made of polyurethane
- Ribbed and shaped
Where to get condoms
Free condoms and lube are available in many gay pubs and clubs, also sexual health clinics, sexual health projects and other agencies (see listings) or you can purchase them from most supermarkets/chemists etc.
Lube
Lube is a vital part of using the condom correctly in anal sex. The arse does not have enough natural lubrication so using plenty of lube goes a long way for you to be safe.
Too much friction when having anal sex increases the risk of breaking the condom and causing damage to the cock and arse by tearing the skin.
This will also increase the risk of passing on STIs and HIV.
Always use a water based lubricant with latex condoms
Never use spit as this can pass on other infections as well as damage the condom. Lube comes in many varieties from opaque to flavoured! So pick the one that suits you best, but NEVER USE Oil Based Lubricants as this will damage the condom and make it ineffective.
Free condoms
c:card is a free condom service in Edinburgh and the Lothians: www.ccard.org.uk.
