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Condoms

Learn How to
Use a Condom

Condoms are a great way to protect yourself during sex. There are different types of condoms and many ways to use condoms to protect yourself during sex.

Instructions & Videos

Find out more about how condoms can help you get protected below.

These Videos were not produced by L.A. County Department of Public Health.

The External Condom

It is sometimes called a “male condom”, or just a condom. This is a great way to protect against HIV and most STIs, a well as unintended pregnancy. This type of condom is usually made to be worn on a penis. While most external condoms are made of latex, some external condoms are made of plastic (polyurethane) or lambskin. The polyurethane material is an option for people allergic to latex, although these condoms break more often than latex condoms. Lambskin is a porous material that only protects against unintended pregnancy, NOT STIs or HIV.

Condoms work best when they are used every time you have sex. Using a water-based or silicone-based lubricant along with a condom may make condom use more pleasurable and help prevent breakage. Avoid using any type of oil-based lubricant (baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly) as those can damage latex condoms.

 Instructional Video (English):

Instructional Video (Spanish):

The Internal Condom

It is sometimes called a “female condom.” This type of condom is made of artificial latex material called nitrile. This can be a good option for people who are unable to use latex condoms because of an allergy. It was originally designed to be worn inside a vagina, but it can also be worn inside an anus to provide protection during anal sex (as recommended by the CDC). See the videos for instructions on how to use this type of condom:

FC2 for vaginal use video (English)

FC2 for anal sex use video (English)

*The internal condom was originally designed to be worn inside a vagina. Internal condoms can also be worn inside an anus to provide protection during anal sex (as recommended by the CDC).

To watch this video with Spanish subtitles:

    1. Click “Settings”
    2. Next, click “Subtitles/CC”
    3. Next, click “Auto-Translate”
    4. Last, select “Spanish”

FC2 for vaginal use video (Spanish)