The Facts

• Used correctly and every time you have sex, condoms are 99% effective.
• You can rely on them to prevent pregnancy.
• Condoms help prevent STI’s.
• Always check the condom packet for the ‘use by’ date to make sure it isn’t out of date. Always check for the British Kitemark symbol, or the European CE symbol which means that it’s been tested properly and professionally.

How are condoms tested?

Electronics testing

• A passage of current checks for holes and imperfections in every single condom that Durex manufacture.

Water testing

• A condom filled with water and suspended for one minute to check for leaks, Durex sample 2 million condoms per month.

Air inflation test

• Inflation to check for burst strength and elasticity.
• International standard: 18 Litres.
• Durex Minimum:22 Litres.
• Typically Durex Condoms will expand to 40 litres.
• Durex sample 2 million condoms per month.

If any condoms fail from the water testing for leaks or the air inflation the entire batch of 432,000 condoms is thrown away.

This example only applies to Durex condoms, and should not be stated for other manufacturers.

Where do you get condoms from?

Condoms are usually really cheap to buy and you can get them free from;

• Your GP
• GUM Clinic
• Community Sexual Health Clinics
• Teenage Parent & Sexual Health Team
• School Health Nurse (only in St Helens where schools have ‘Clinic in a Box’)
• Riverside College Student Services.
• Riverside College have condom machines in the toilets and sell condoms for 50p for a pack of three.
• You can also get them from the pound shop, supermarkets, chemists, petrol station, public toilets and shops.

Halton and St Helens have a GP Condom Scheme which means you can get free condoms from your GP. Halton also has a ‘C Card Scheme’ which means you can get a card from a professional such as the Teenage Parent & Sexual Health Team, Riverside College Student Services and other local services. The professional will run through the process for using condoms properly and then you can use the card to get free condoms any time after that – all you have to do is show the card.

Condoms can burst if they are not used properly which means that a woman will need emergency contraception to protect her from getting pregnant if she is not using ‘double Dutch’. It can also mean an increased risk of contracting an STI, so you should consider getting tested about three weeks after the event, click here for more STI info.

How do I stop a condom from bursting?

1. First of all, DO NOT use any oil based lubricants like massage oil/baby oil etc because if it touches the condom it will cause it to become weak and split.
2. Wait until the penis gets hard. Take the condom out of the wrapper carefully, don’t use your teeth!
3. If you find that the condom is hard to roll down it may be inside out so it will fall off the penis of burst – the ridge should be on the outside.
4. If the penis has a foreskin which is easy to roll back, you may find it easier to do this before putting on the condom.
5. Unroll the condom a bit to check that it’s the right way round before putting it near the erect penis. Squeeze the tip of the condom to get rid of any air. Place over the tip of the hard penis.
6. Roll the condom all the way down to the base of the penis.
7. Check during sex that the condom hasn’t slipped off. After sex withdraw carefully while the penis is still hard.
8. Hold the condom at the base when you pull out, to stop it slipping off.
9. Wrap the condom in a tissue and put it in the bin, not down the toilet as it can block them!

Keep your condoms close by so that you don’t have to waste any time before you get down to having sex.

Remember! Sperm comes out way before a bloke ejaculates / ‘comes’ so if you’re going to get close – get a condom on.

Condoms are made to fit all different penis sizes. Don’t believe anyone who tells you they can’t find a condom to fit them – it’s not true. You can even get different flavours and shapes.

Lubricant: Putting extra lubricant into the end of the condom can feel extra sensitive… or on the outside might make it feel better for girls. You can use lubricant during foreplay which can be really good fun, and create a better feeling for both partners. Make sure you avoid OIL based lubricant because it will stop the condom from working.

Never use a condom more than once – it won’t work. Make sure you only use one at a time – it’s all you need. Try to get rid of the condom as soon as possible after sex so that nobody else finds it because it can be really embarrassing and it’s a bit yukky too!

Halton has showed some recent improvements in Teenage Pregnancy rates but St Helens has demonstrated a slight increase meaning that teenage pregnancy is still a huge challenge for us locally.

Benefits of using condoms

1. Condoms are the only form of contraception to offer protection against both STI’s and unplanned pregnancy.

2. Used correctly and consistently, condoms are up to 98% effective.

3. Condoms will help protect against a range of STIs, including gonorrhoea, genital warts, herpes, Chlamydia and HIV.

4. Condoms are the most popular method of contraception in the UK

5. Carrying condoms shows a willingness to practice safer sex and respect for you and your girlfriend/boyfriend’s health.

6. Condoms can be carried around easily, discreetly placed in pockets, bags, wallets and purses.

7. Condoms are easy to put on.

8. There is no need to go to the doctor for a prescription.

9. They are easily available from pharmacies and up to 24 hours a day from garages, supermarkets and vending machines.

Best answers to lame excuse’s for not wanting to use a condom:

“I don’t have any infections”
Make sure it stays that way – use a condom every time you have sex

“I have superb control”
With a condom you don’t need to – accidents do happen and you can really get carried away by the passion of the moment.

“Sex doesn’t feel as good”
Using a condom stops those niggling worries about pregnancy or STIs – great sex is safer sex

“Condoms cut off my circulation”
Fact : Condoms can hold 40 litres of air – more inflated than your ego!

“If you love me you wouldn’t ask me to wear one”
If you love me you’d protect me

How to put on a condom properly

If you are uncertain how to put on a condom, simply follow this step-by-step guide:

Tear along one side of the foil being sure not to rip the condom inside. Carefully remove the condom. Put the condom on when the penis is erect, before there is any contact between the penis and your partner’s body. Fluid released from the penis during the early stages of an erection can contain sperm and micro-organisms that can cause STIs.

Air trapped inside a condom can cause it to break. To avoid this, squeeze the closed end of the condom between your forefinger and thumb and place the condom over the erect penis. Be sure the roll is on the outside.

Whilst still squeezing the closed end, use your other hand to unroll the condom gently down the full length of the penis. Make sure the condom stays in place during sex; if it rolls up, roll it back into place immediately. If the condom comes off withdraw the penis and put on a new condom before intercourse continues.

Soon after ejaculation, withdraw the penis while it is still erect by holding the condom firmly in place. Remove the condom only when the penis is fully withdrawn. Keep both the penis and condom clear from contact with your partner’s body. Never use a condom more than once. Dispose of the used one hygienically, wrapping it in a tissue and placing it in a bin.

Do’s and Don’ts of condom use

Do’s

• Do make sure you use a condom every time you have sex
• Do carry a condom at all times as you never know when you might need one
• Do practice putting condoms on so you know what you are doing when it comes to the real thing.
• Do check your condoms carry the CE Marking on the pack to show they comply with European Standards
• Do make sure the condom is not inside out when you put it on
• Do take care not to damage the condom, either when removing it from its foil packet or when putting it on. Beware of rings and sharp fingernails!
• Do store condoms in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight

Don’ts

• Don’t be tempted to take risks if a condom isn’t available
• Don’t use a condom if it has passed its expiry date
• Don’t use oil-based lubricants with latex condoms. It can damage them!!
• Don’t use a condom more than once
• Don’t try to put a condom on if the penis is not erect