Safe Sex Express Supplies

External condoms can be used on a penis or on a sex toy, such as a dildo. They should be used during penetrative vaginal and anal sex to prevent unwanted pregnancy and the spread of STIs. A condom should be used every time you have penetrative vaginal or anal sex. Similarly, a condom can be used on a sex toy to help prevent the spread of STIs if the toy is being used on more than one person. A different condom should be used each time the toy is switched between people.

External condoms should also be used during oral sex on the penis to prevent oral STIs from spreading.

1. Check the expiration date on the package, and that the package is in good condition without any holes or tears.
2. Carefully open and remove the condom from the wrapper.
3. Place the condom on the head of the erect, hard penis, or sex toy. If uncircumcised, pull back the foreskin first.
4. Be sure to pinch the tip of the condom as you place it on so that you leave some room. Then, pinch any air out of the tip of the condom.
5. Unroll the condom all the way down the penis.
6. After sex and before pulling out, hold the condom at the base. Then pull out while holding it in place.
7. After sex, carefully remove the condom and throw it in the trash.

Do

• DO use a condom every time you have sex.
• DO put on a condom before having sex.
• DO read the package and check the expiration date.
• DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
• DO store condoms in a cool, dry place.
• DO use latex or polyurethane condoms.
• DO use water-based or silicone-based lubricant to prevent breakage.

Don’t

• DON’T store condoms in your wallet as heat and friction can damage them.
• DON’T use nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide), as this can cause irritation.
• DON’T use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil because they will cause the condom to break.
• DON’T use more than one condom at a time.
• DON’T reuse a condom.

An internal condom can be used in the vagina or the anus when having penetrative sex to protect against unwanted pregnancy and the spread of STIs. Similarly, and internal condom can be used to prevent the spread of STIs if you are using a sex toy and sharing with someone else.

1. Check the expiration date on the package, and that the package is in good condition without any holes or tears.
2. Carefully open and remove the condom from the package to prevent tearing.
3. The thick, inner ring with closed end is used for placing in the vagina or anus and holds condom in place. The thin, outer ring remains outside of body, covering vaginal or anal opening.
4. Find a comfortable position. While holding outside of condom at closed end, squeeze sides of inner ring together with your thumb and forefinger and insert into the vagina or anus. It is similar to inserting a tampon.
5. Using your finger, push inner ring as far up as it will go (if using in the vagina, until it rests against cervix). The condom will expand naturally and you may not feel it.
6. Be sure condom is not twisted. The thin, outer ring should remain outside vagina or anus.
7. To remove, gently twist outer ring and pull condom out of the vagina or anus.
8. Throw away the condom in trash after using it one time. Do not reuse.

Do

• DO use an internal condom from start to finish, every time you have vaginal sex.
• DO read the condom package insert and check the expiration date.
• DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
• DO use lubricant to help prevent the condom from slipping and tearing.
• DO store condoms in a cool, dry place.

Don’t

• DON’T use an external condom with an internal condom, as this can cause tearing.
• DON’T reuse a condom.
• DON’T flush condoms as they may clog the toilet.

Dental dams should be used between the mouth and vagina or the mouth and anus during oral sex. This helps to prevent the spread of oral STIs.

1. Check the expiration date on the package, and that the package is in good condition without any holes or tears.
2. Carefully open the dental dam and remove from package.
3. Place dental dam flat to cover the vaginal opening or anus.
4. Throw away the dental dam once finished. Do not reuse the dental dam, flip it over, or use the same dam on the vagina and anus.

Do

• DO use a new latex or polyurethane dental dam every time you have oral sex.
• DO read the package and check the expiration date.
• DO make sure there are no tears or defects.
• DO put on before starting oral sex and keep it on until finished.
• DO use water-based or silicone-based lubricant to prevent breakage.
• DO store dental dams in a cool, dry place.

Don’t

• DON’T reuse a dental dam.
• DON’T stretch a dental dam, as this can cause it to tear.
• DON’T use nonoxynol-9 (a spermicide), which can cause irritation.
• DON’T use oil-based products like baby oil, lotion, petroleum jelly, or cooking oil because they will cause the dental dam to break.
• DON’T flush dental dams down the toilet as they may clog it.

If you need a dental dam and don’t have one, but you do have an external condom, you can make one out of an external condom.

1. Check the expiration date on the package, and that the package is in good condition without any holes or tears.
2. Carefully open the package, remove the condom, and unroll it.
3. Cut the tip off the condom with a pair of scissors.
4. Cut the bottom (ring) off the condom.
5. Cut down the side of the condom.
6. Lay the remaining piece of latex over the vaginal opening or anus, and use it like you would a dental dam.

In general, flavored condoms should be used only for oral sex. Some flavored condoms contain sugars which can lead to yeast infections if they are used for vaginal or anal sex. Be sure to check the packaging for all flavored condoms to see if they contain sugars. The good news: flavored condoms are safe and great for oral sex! They will help prevent the spread of oral STIs.

However: The flavored condom that are provided to you through Safe Sex Express are sugar-free and are safe for vaginal, anal, and oral sex.

A flavored condom can be used just as an external condom would.

Lube can be used during any type of sexual activity! It can be used on or in a condom, with a dental dam, or during masturbation. There is no such thing as too much lube, so you can use however much feels best to you and your partner(s).

1. It feels good! Using lube can enhance pleasure during oral, vaginal, and anal sex, as well as masturbation!
2. It can make sex safer! Using lube on a condom decreases friction, which makes the condom less likely to break. This helps prevent unwanted pregnancy and the spread of STIs. Be sure to use water or silicone-based lube, not oil-based, as oil will break down a latex condom.
3. For anal sex! Unlike the vagina or mouth, the anus doesn’t provide natural lubrication.

Water-based Lube

• Slippery and may need to be reapplied.
• Easy to clean up with water.
• Look for body safe choices that are free of petrochemicals, glycerin, and paraben.
• Safe for use with latex condoms.

Silicone-based Lube

• Slick and can be used in water (hot tubs, etc.).
• Less likely to need multiple applications.
• Generally require soap and water for clean-up.
• Safe for use with latex condoms.

Oil-based Lube

• Do NOT use with latex condoms – the oil can cause the condoms to break down.
• Includes, baby oil, coconut oil, petroleum jelly, etc.

Flavored Lube

• Not intended for use during vaginal or anal sex as the sugars can be harmful.
• Useful for oral sex with a condom.
• Most often water-based and organic flavored lubes are also an option.

Finger cots can be used for “digital sex”, a.k.a. fingering. They can be used to cover cuts or open wounds on fingers to decrease risk of being exposed to bacteria or viruses. A latex or nitrile glove can be used in place of finger cots as well.

1. Place the finger cot on the tip of the finger.
2. Roll the finger cot all the way down to the base of the finger.
3. Smooth our any air bubbles and check for any holes or tears.
4. When finished having sex, remove the used finer cot and dispose of it in the garbage.
5. Wash your hands with warm water and soap.
6. Repeat these steps each time you engage in digital sex, as well as if you switch from the vagina to the anus, or vice versa.

Tip: Finger cots can be pretty dry, as they are not lubricated. Because of this, if can be a good idea to use lube with them.