Guide to Contraception: - Male and Female Condom: how to use them How do you use a male condom? If you get your male condoms from a doctor or a family planning clinic, you may be told how to use them or you can ask. Instructions are also given on the pack or in a leaflet inside the pack. The man can put the condom on himself, or his partner can do it. Use a new condom each time you have sex. Always check the expiry date on the packet and that there is a quality mark.   Always put the male condom on as soon as the penis is erect but before there is any contact with the woman’s genital area. This is important because fluid, which may contain sperm, can seep from the penis early during sex.  Take your condom out of the packet carefully, making sure that you don’t damage it with your fingernails or jewellery.  Gently squeeze the last centimetre of the closed end between your finger and thumb, to expel any trapped air and make space for the man’s semen. Keeping the end of the condom 'air free', hold the condom at the tip of the erect penis.  With the flat part of your fingers, roll the condom carefully over the penis. It is now safe for the penis to enter the woman’s vagina or touch her genital area.   After the man has ejaculated but before his erection is completely lost, hold the condom rim firmly around the penis while the penis is withdrawn. This makes sure that the condom doesn’t slip, accidentally spilling semen in or around the woman’s vagina.   ________________________________________________  How do you use a female condom? If you get your female condoms from a family planning clinic, the nurse or doctor will explain how to use them or you can ask. The pack also contains an instruction leaflet. The female condom can be put in by the woman or her partner.   Use a new condom each time you have sexual intercourse. Always check the expiry date on the pack.   You can put your condom in any time before having sex. You must put it in before the man’s penis touches your genital area. This is important because fluid, which may contain sperm, can seep from the penis early during sex. You can put the condom in when you are Iying down, squatting, or with one leg on a chair. Experiment to find the position that suits you best.   Take your condom out of the packet carefully, making sure that you don't damage it with your fingernails or jewellery.  Hold the condom at the closed end, and squeeze the inner ring between your thumb and middle finger. Keeping your index finger on the inner ring helps to keep the condom steady.  With your other hand, separate the folds of skin (labia) around your vagina. Then insert the squeezed ring into the vagina and push it up as far as you can. Now put your index or middle finger inside the open end of the condom, until you can feel the inner ring. Then push the inner ring further into the vagina, so that it is lying just above your pubic bone. (You can feel your pubic bone by inserting your index or middle finger into your vagina and curving it forward slightly).   Make sure that the outer ring lies close against the vulva. During intercourse, it is a good idea for the woman to guide the man's penis into the condom to make sure it does not enter the vagina outside the condom. As the female condom is loose-fitting, it will move during sex, but you will still be protected because the penis stays inside the condom.   To remove the condom, simply twist the outer ring to keep the semen inside, and pull the condom out gently.