How To Put On A Condom Properly: Step By Step Guide - Refinery29

Skip navigation!ADVERTISEMENTStory from Sex SchoolHow To Use A Condom For Maximum Safety And PleasureSophie Saint ThomasLast Updated August 21, 2019, 7:10 PM ADVERTISEMENTSee All SlidesBegin SlideshowYou might think you've mastered the art of putting a condom on a partner or yourself after sex ed in school, but when it comes to handling one IRL, things can get complicated (like if the condom breaks). At some point, all of us could probably use a refresher on how to put on a condom, whether we had rad health teachers or were stuck with abstinence-only education.Because the truth is, according to Planned Parenthood, condoms are only 82% effective when you add in human error (but 98% effective when used properly). And human error is common with condom use — in one study, 25.3% of people reported unrolling the condom before putting it on. Knowing the exact right way to use condoms is important for anyone looking to prevent pregnancy or STI transmission.That's why we reached out to a couple of our favorite sex educators and consulted Planned Parenthood's recommendations to get an in-depth refresher on how to put on a condom.The first thing to keep in mind? When people talk about condoms, they're usually referring to the male condom, a birth control method and safer sex barrier typically made out of latex and placed over a penis. But condoms aren't just for penises; they can also be used over dildos to protect against STIs. (Yes, STIs can spread through sex toys.) And if latex male condoms don't work for you (for whatever reason), know that there are other sexual barrier options out there.Read on for a step-by-step guide to putting on condoms — and don't be afraid to practice on a banana or cucumber.The gap between what we learned in sex ed and what we're learning through sexual experience is big — way too big. So we're helping to connect those dots by talking about the realities of sex, from how it's done to how to make sure it's consensual, safe, healthy, and pleasurable all at once. Check out more here. Begin Slideshow ADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT RelationshipsI Use Romantasy Books As “Masturbation Material” — Is That Healthy?It’s 2 a.m. and the enemies in my new romantasy book have just turned into lovers — and it’s turning me on more than I expected. This is part of a faby Rebecca FearnOnline DatingReddit’s Dirtiest Pick-Up Lines Will Make You BlushWe’re all familiar with “Hey baby, what’s your sign?” and “If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.” But what about… diby Erika W. SmithWellness6 Signs You Just Had An OrgasmYou might have heard an orgasm described as a vaginal sneeze or called “la petite mort” — French for “the little death.” Others might describe orby Erika W. SmithRelationshipsDating Is So Bleak, Even The Anxious Girlies Are Becoming AvoidantAre you anxious, avoidant or secure? What’s rarely discussed is whether people can switch from one camp to another. People wear their “anxious” labelby Tanyel MustafaSexThe Sexual Hygiene Habit You Should Never SkipThere are two rules that anyone having anal sex has hopefully heard before: First, always use lube; second, don’t go straight from anal sex to vaginaby Cory StiegBodyIf Your Vulva Is Tingling, This Might Be WhyDepending on the situation, your vulva can sometimes feel wet, itchy, burning, or swollen. Sometimes a new feeling in your vagina is the result of a healthby Erika W. SmithSex17 Steamy & Free Erotic Literature Sitesby Kasandra BrabawSexThe Kama Sutra Sex Positions You Didn’t Know Existedby Lux AlptraumSexWhat To Do When Doggy Style Sex Gets UncomfortableDoggy style is one of the most universally popular sex positions, at least according to both online surveys and Google search data. It requires no flexibilby Cory StiegRelationshipsWhat To Say If You Get Tongue-Tied During Phone Sexby Cory StiegSexOut Of Sexting Ideas? Try Theseby Kimberly TruongSex21 Steamy Erotic Stories Written By Women — & Why They’re Importantby Rachel Kramer BusselADVERTISEMENTADVERTISEMENT