Daily Options: NYC Loves Condoms

Condoms Prevent HIV and Other Sexually Transmitted Diseases

• Use condoms correctly and consistently for vaginal, anal, and oral sex. Forgetting even once increases your risk of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs).
• Condoms are especially important if you have a new partner — or more than one partner.
• Use only latex or polyurethane condoms. Other types prevent pregnancy, but don’t protect against HIV and other STDs.
• Use water-based lubricants with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants (such as petroleum jelly, massage oils, and body lotions) can cause latex condoms to break.
• Both water- and oil-based lubricants can be used with polyurethane condoms.

Condoms Prevent Pregnancy

• Even if you use another birth control method, use latex or polyurethane condoms to protect against HIV and other STDs.
• If you are pregnant, you can still use condoms to protect yourself and your baby against HIV and other STDs.

How to Use Male Condoms

• Use a new condom every time.
• Store condoms in a cool, dry place. Don’t leave them in your wallet or in your car too long — this can make them break easily.
• Be careful not to damage the condom when taking it out of the wrapper. If it is torn, brittle, or sticky, throw it away and use a new one.
• Put the condom on when the penis is erect, before sexual contact occurs. Unroll it all the way down.
• Leave a half-inch or so at the tip to collect semen. Squeeze out any extra air.
• If you put on a condom the wrong way by mistake, just throw it away and use a new one.
• After sex, pull out before the penis softens. Hold the base of the condom to make sure it doesn't spill.
• Throw the condom away.

Female Condoms Work Just as Well

• The female condom is a soft, loose-fitting, polyurethane pouch that is placed in the vagina. Some women feel it gives them more control than a male condom.
• Female condoms work just as well as male condoms to protect against HIV and other STDs, and to prevent pregnancy.
• Because female condoms are made of polyurethane, not latex, you can use either water- or oil-based lubricants.
• Like male condoms, female condoms should be used only once, then thrown away.

Talk About Condoms

• Talking about condoms can help you and your partner feel close.
• You can enjoy sex more when you don't have to worry about STDs or unplanned pregnancy.

B.Y.O.C. (Bring Your Own Condom)

• Be prepared. Make sure you always have condoms available.
• Don't be embarrassed. More and more men and women are choosing to carry and use condoms.

You Have the Right!

• No one — not even a spouse or intimate partner — can take away your right to use condoms, or your right to refuse sex.
• Forcing sex is sexual assault, and sexual assault is a crime. For help, call the New York City Domestic Violence Hotline at (212) 621-HOPE (4673), or call 311.

Source: New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygene