Can someone walk me through proper condom use without it being awkward—like when exactly to put it on, how to check it’s the right way around, and what to do if it slips or breaks?

Here’s the unsexy truth: condoms only work if they’re used right, and nobody actually teaches this well. You put the condom on before any genital contact—not halfway through, not “just for the finish.” Open it carefully, check the direction (it should look like a little hat with a rim that rolls down), pinch the tip to leave room for semen, then roll it all the way to the base.If it slips or breaks: stop immediately. If you can, remove it, clean up, and use a new condom. You may want emergency contraception and STI testing depending on where you are in your cycle and your risk.If sex ed left you with more questions than answers, you’re not the problem—Gush is here to walk through the details with zero awkwardness.

Step-by-step guide to using condoms correctly

1. Before any clothes come off: prep and check

You can make condoms part of foreplay instead of an awkward pause.- Check the date:- Look at the expiry date on the wrapper.- Old condoms = higher risk of breaking.- Check the package:- No tears, holes, or weird air leaks.- If it looks damaged, toss it.- Open it right:- Tear from the edge, not with your teeth or nails.- Ripping it with your mouth might look hot on TikTok; it’s less hot when the condom is shredded.

2. When exactly to put the condom on

Timing is not negotiable.- Condom goes on as soon as there’s an erection and before the penis touches your vulva, vagina, or anus.- Pre-cum can carry sperm and STIs, and yes, you can get pregnant or infected from “just a little rubbing around.”If they argue about this, that’s not “preference,” it’s a walking red flag.

3. How to tell which way the condom goes

Condoms are like tiny hats:- Hold the condom by the tip.- The rim should be on the outside, so it looks like a little beanie that can roll down.- If you try to roll it and it doesn’t easily go down the shaft, it’s inside out.If it’s been on the penis and turned out to be inside out:- Do not just flip it and reuse.- Pre-cum might already be on it.- Toss it and grab a new one.

4. The actual step-by-step condom application

1. Partner is hard.2. You (or they) hold the condom at the tip.3. Pinch the reservoir tip between your fingers to remove air and leave space for semen.4. Place it on the head of the penis.5. While still pinching the tip, use your other hand to roll the condom all the way down to the base.6. Add a few drops of lube inside the condom before rolling (optional) and plenty outside after.That pinching step matters. If you don’t leave room at the tip, pressure can build and the condom is more likely to break.Your hormones also impact how much lube you need:- Around ovulation, estrogen is higher, cervical mucus is slippery, and sex might feel naturally smoother.- In your luteal phase or on hormonal birth control, you’re often drier—so external lube becomes non-negotiable, not “extra.”If you’re realizing no one has ever walked you through this like you’re an actual human, not a diagram, that’s exactly what Gush is for—real talk about what’s happening with your body and timing.

5. During sex: keeping the condom in place

To keep things safe while you’re busy having fun:- Check occasionally that the condom is still rolled down to the base.- If it starts sliding up, pause, roll it back down, and add more lube.- If it feels too tight or painful, it might be the wrong size.Cycle-wise:- When you’re closer to ovulation (mid-cycle), you’re more fertile. Sperm + condom fail here = higher pregnancy risk.- That doesn’t mean other days are “safe”—you can ovulate early, late, or unpredictably, especially with irregular cycles.

6. After sex: how to take a condom off correctly

When he’s about to finish or just finished:1. Once ejaculation happens, he should hold the condom at the base.2. Pull out while still hard, before losing the erection.3. Move away from your body before removing the condom so nothing spills on or in you.4. Slide it off carefully, tie a knot if you want, wrap it in tissue, and throw it in the trash.Do not flush condoms. Your pipes and the planet both hate that.

7. What to do if the condom slips or breaks

If the condom breaks or slips off inside you:1. Stop immediately.2. If you can, reach in gently and remove it.3. Clean up any visible semen with toilet paper, but don’t douche or use harsh soaps—they can irritate you more.Then think through two main risks: pregnancy and STIs.- Pregnancy risk:- Highest if this happened in your fertile window (usually about days 8–19 in a typical 28-day cycle, but this varies a lot).- Sperm can live up to 5 days inside you.- Emergency contraception (EC) works best the sooner you take it, ideally within 24 hours, but many options work up to 3–5 days after.- STI risk:- If there’s any risk, both of you should consider testing.- For known exposures (like HIV), emergency treatments exist—but they’re time-sensitive.If your cycles are irregular or you’re not sure where you are in your cycle, assume pregnancy is possible and act accordingly.

8. Condoms + other birth control = layered protection

Condoms are about more than pregnancy—they’re your front line for STI protection. Still, combining methods is smart:- Condom + pill/patch/ring/IUD = strong pregnancy prevention + STI protection.- Your natural cycle is more “flat” on hormonal birth control, but ovulation can still sometimes happen, especially if you miss pills.Using condoms consistently means you’re not playing roulette with:- The exact day you ovulate.- How long sperm survives this time.- Whether your partner was honest about their sexual health.You don’t need to be perfect. You just deserve actual information so the decisions feel like yours.