Condoms

sexual health pages

> available free online from Healthy Gay Scotland

Why use a condom?

If you enjoy a good fuck, then don't allow any irrational fears to put you off. Just make sure you fuck safely, using condoms properly and consistently. Using a condom for fucking is the best way to avoid exposing yourself and your partner to the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases.

Choosing a condom

Condoms are available free from all gay bars and clubs in Edinburgh, from Gay Men's Health at 10a Union Street, the GUM clinic, and at C-card outlets throughout the city. Choose an extra-strong condom which carries the Kite Mark (certified to conform to British standards) such as SafeGuard Forte or Durex UltraStrong. Try out the different makes of condom; you may find one type suits you better than others. Make sure the 'sell by' date has not passed. If you're allergic to rubber, try using Durex Allergy ... it isn't extra-strong, however, but better than nothing!

Lubricant

Make sure you use a water-based lubricant such is ID lubricant, Liquid Silk (which doesn't dry up so quickly), KY jelly, Boots own brand or De Puy Aquagel. You can get lubricant free from the same places as condoms.
Never use an oil based lubricant as this will damage your condom. Don't use vaseline, hand cream, massage oil or anything like it. If you're desperate to fuck and don't have a water based lube to hand, then even spit is preferable to an oil based lube, though don't make a habit of this. Don't use condoms dry (without lubricant) as they are more likely to rip.

Putting it on

If you want to practice putting on a condom, then try it next time you have a wank. Take care not to rip the condom as you take it out of the packet. Be especially careful if you have sharp nails and don't open the packet with your teeth. Put a very small dab of water based lube on the end of your cock (or his, depending on who's doing the fucking) as this will heighten sensitivity. Make sure the condom is the right way up; you can test with a finger that it rolls out and down. Squeeze any air out of the end of the condom using your thumb and forefinger. Air trapped inside the condom will weaken it. Hold the condom over the tip of the cock and with the other hand carefully unroll it down to the base. If you have a foreskin, pull it back before covering the head of the cock with the condom. Smooth the condom to eliminate any air bubbles. Never use two condoms at the one time. This could lead to breakage. Check the condom occasionally to ensure that it's still OK.

Afterwards

After coming, pull out before your cock becomes soft, holding it firmly around the base. Never use a condom more than once, and never go fucking from one person to another without changing condoms. Dispose of your condom carefully. Wrap them in tissue and bin them.

For further information on this and a range of other important sexual health issues, contact the GUM Clinic or Gay Men’s Health.

Images courtesy of the Steve Retson Project

Last updated 20th May 2004

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