Everyone always tells us to perform safer sex. “Use a condom,” our teachers frequently tell us. “Why didn’t you use a condom?” They ask when something went wrong, but has anyone ever actually told us how to use one? How to make sure it is put on in the right way? It can be daunting to put one on for the first time, especially in front of someone you are trying to whoo in the bedroom. I am here to help you figure out how to get that external condom over your penis, or even a toy. You can even grab a banana or a cucumber if you’re just trying to practise. 

 

When I was at college there was an exchange student from America and she said that her teachers told her to think of Oprah. ‘Oprah?’ I said. ‘Why would Oprah help you put on an external condom?’ OPRAH is actually an acronym and each letter stands for something, so let’s go. 

 

O – Observe & Open

 

Observe the condom packaging for the expiry date. If the condom expired last year, it is not safe to use during sex and you should find another condom. 

My tip is to check the expiration date before you meet up with the person you want to be intimate with because when we are aroused, we might ignore the expiration date in order to have sex. We don’t always think clearly when we are in the heat of the moment. 

 

Open the condom using your hands. Most condoms have a ridged side that will make tearing it open with your fingers easy. Do not use anything sharp like a knife, pair of scissors or even your teeth. If these sharp items damage the condom, it may not work as effectively. 

 

P – Place & Pinch

 

Once you have opened your condom and want to put it on your penis or a toy, remove the condom from the packaging and place it on your erect penis or toy. It is vital here that you ensure the condom is placed in the correct position where the condom can easily roll down the penis. Once you have placed the condom Pinch the tip of the condom, not your penis, to remove any air bubbles. 

 

R – Roll

 

Once you have pinched the tip of the condom, roll the condom down the penis or toy. 

 

A – Action Time

 

Now that the condom is on safely, you can have some fun Action time. 

 

H – Hold

 

Before you remove the penis, hold the condom around the base of the penis, and then safely pull out. If you don’t do this, your condom might slip off your penis as you pull out. 

 

The last letter is a bonus round.

 

D – Dispose

 

Dispose of your condom. You can wrap it in toilet paper before disposing of it in the trash. Remember, condoms aren’t flush- friendly.

 

Final Tips: 

 

Just because you don’t have a penis, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t carry external condoms with you if you are sexually active or meeting up with someone who does have a penis. You can even carry internal condoms if you can find them. 

 

You can only use a condom one time. They are not reusable.

 

Two condoms don’t work better than one. Do not use two condoms at the same time as the chance of the condoms breaking increases due to the friction. 

 

Some people are allergic to latex, luckily latex free condoms are available.

 

Safer sex is every person’s responsibility. 

 

Remember to always get consent, even when you are in a relationship, and to have fun exploring each other’s bodies. 

 

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