• Condoms are used for birth control and for reducing the risk of disease. While there are other forms of birth control, they don't protect against disease, or reduce the risk of getting STDs (sexually transmitted diseases).
• Condoms do not make sex 100% safe, but the can reduce the risk of contracting STDs and AIDS.

• The condoms should be made of polyurethane or latex (rubber).
• The condoms should say to prevent disease, and if used properly. If the package doesn't say anything about preventing disease, the condoms probably won't provide the protection you want. Novelty condoms, will not be labeled for either disease- or pregnancy-prevention. Condoms that don't cover the entire penis are not labeled for disease prevention and thus shouldn't be used for this purpose. For proper protection, a condom must enroll to cover the entire penis.
• Check the expiration date. The condom shouldn't be purchased or used after that date.
• Condoms are available in many stores and vending machines. Be sure to check for proper labeling when purchasing from vending machines. Never purchase condoms from a vending machine located where it may be subject to extreme temperatures and/or direct sunlight.
• Condoms should be stored in a cool, dry place and out of direct sunlight. Closets or drawers are generally good storage places. Condoms should never be kept in a pocket, wallet or purse for more than a few hours at a time because they can be exposed to extreme temperatures.

• When opening a condom, handle the package gently. Never use teeth, sharp fingernails, scissors, or other sharp instruments that may damage the condom. Also, make sure you can see what you are doing! After the package is opened, inspect the condom, if the material sticks to itself or is gummy-like, discard the condom as it's no good. Check the condom top for other obvious damage like brittleness, tears and holes, but don't unroll the condom to check it because this could also damage it.
• Use a new condom for each and every act of oral sex and intercourse
• Put the condoms on the erect penis before any contact is made between the penis and any other part of the partner's body.
• If using a spermicide, be sure to put some inside the condom tip.
• If the condom does not have a reservoir top, pinch the tip enough to leave a half-inch space for the semen to collect. Make sure to eliminate any air in the tip to help keep the condom from breaking
• Hold the condom by the rim (and gently pinching the half-inch tip if necessary) and place the condom on top of the penis. Then, continue to hold the condom by the rim and unroll it all the way to the base of the penis. If you are using a water-based lubricant, you can put more on the outside of the condom.
• If you feel the condom break, stop immediately and withdraw to put on a new condom.
• After ejaculation and just before the penis gets soft, grip the rim of the condom and carefully withdraw from your partner.
• To remove the condom, gently pull it off the penis paying close attention to being careful so the semen doesn't spill out.
• Wrap the used condom in a tissue and dispose of it properly in a trash receptacle. Condoms may cause problems in sewers, so don't flush them down the toilet. Once the condoms disposed, wash your hands with soap and warm water.

Precaution
Although condoms provide good protection for vaginal and oral sex (where the penis is in contact with the mouth), the protection they give for anal sex is questionable. The Surgeon General of the Public Health Service has said, "condoms provide some protection, but anal intercourse is simply too dangerous a practice." Condoms may be more likely to break during anal intercourse than during other types of sex because of the greater amount of friction and various other stresses involved. Even if the condom doesn't break, anal intercourse is very risky because it can cause rectal tissue to tear and bleed, allowing disease germs to pass more easily from one partner to another.

Spermicides
Spermicides kill sperm and are used for birth control either alone or with barrier contraceptives such as the diaphragm or cervical cap. Scientists have observed that, in test tubes, a spermicide called nonoxynol-9 kills organisms that cause STDs. Though not scientifically proven, it is possible that nonoxynol-9 may reduce the risk of transmission of the AIDS virus during intercourse as well. Using a spermicide along with a latex condom is advisable, and is an added precaution in case the condom breaks. Some condoms come with nonoxynol-9 already added. Their packages are required to be labeled with the expiration date of the spermicide, and they should not be used after that date. Some experts think that even if a condom with spermicide is used, additional spermicide in the form of jelly, cream or foam should be added. These are sold over the counter in select supermarkets and pharmacies. Swallowing small amounts of spermicide has not proven harmful in animal tests, it is not known if this true for humans. For this reason, and because spermicides have a bitter taste, oral sex may be best with a condom that does not contain spermicide.

Lubricants
Lubricants can help prevent some condoms from breaking during use and may prevent irritation that might increase the chance of infection. Some condoms come lubricated with a dry silicone, jelly or cream or it's also possible to add water based lubricants specifically made for this purpose (K-Y Lubricating Jelly is an example). If you use a separate lubricant, never use a product that contains oils, fats or greases such as a petroleum based jelly (Vaseline is an example), baby oil or lotion, hand or body lotion, cooking shortenings, or oily cosmetics such as cold creams. These can weaken latex, causing a condom to tear very easily. If you choose to use a spermicide, you do not need to use a lubricant because spermicide acts as a lubricant.