DOH: Male Condom Instructions

Check the expiration date of the condom, which is on the package.The condom package should look like a small inflated pillow. Look at the corners of the package and notice how they are filled with air. A condom with a broken seal will not do this. Open the package at the end so that you don't damage the condom. Many condom packages have a notch in the edge of the packaging as a place to begin tearing.
Condoms may stick to skin and hair so it is recommended to use them with only water-based lubricant–do not use condoms with spermicide, also known as nonoxynol-9. In people with an allergic reaction to the spermicide, nonoxynol-9 can result in little sores that make the transmission of HIV and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) more likely. Be sure to check the label of any lubricant before using it.
Put on the condom as soon as the penis is hard. Be sure the roll-up ring is on the outside facing away from the penis. Hold the tip while you unroll the condom along the length of the penis to the hair. Because a condom rolls down the penis, it can only go on one way. If you ever try to put a condom on with the wrong side onto the penis, throw it away and start with a new, unopened condom. Never unroll the condom before putting it on the penis.
While unrolling the condom, be sure to leave some space at the tip to hold the semen---about one-half to one inch at the tip of the condom. Some condoms have reservoir tips. (If there is not enough room at the tip, the semen could break the condom.) Squeeze the tip gently so that no air is trapped inside.
When putting the condom on, avoid tearing it with fingernails, jewelry, or anything else sharp or metallic.
A condom fits rather snuggly on a penis, so rolling it down can be difficult. Be gentle, so as not to injure the penis or cause discomfort. It is important that the penis stay erect in order to apply the condom.
Right after ejaculation the penis should be pulled out slowly while it is still hard. Hold the condom in place on the penis to avoid spilling semen. While holding the tip, roll the condom up only a portion of the way and then gently pull it off of the penis.
You need to use a new condom every time that you have sexual intercourse. Never use the same condom twice.
Dispose of used condoms properly. If possible, wrap them in something like a paper towel or tissue and dispose of them in a trash container. Do not flush condoms as they can easily clog plumbing. Do not throw them away on the ground where they can present a hazard to children and a litter problem.