What to Use With Condoms

What to Use With Condoms

ondoms can be made out of latex, polyurethane, or lambskin. Latex condoms should always be used with a water-based lubricant. Following are products that should be used with condoms and products that should be

avoided when using latex condoms. All types of lubricants, in­cluding oil-based lubricants, can be safely used with polyurethane condoms.



Water-based lubricants (including products such as AquaLube, AstroGlide, K-Y Jelly, N-R lubricating jelly, Touch, and Wet) glycerin Gynoll II spermicide saliva water

silicone lubricant


baby oil

yeast infection medication

cold creams

hand and body lotions

massage oil


vegetable or mineral oils suntan oil and lotion whipped cream rubbing alcohol

Source: Planned Parenthood Federation of America, 2004. Retrieved November 2, 2005, from http://www. plannedparenthood. org/bc/condom. htm

have demonstrated that when used correctly (without common errors in use, such as not leaving room at the top of the condom for the ejaculate), the overall risk of con­dom breakage is very low (Hatcher et al., 2004). Using a condom after the expiration date is the leading cause of breakage. However, if a condom does break while you are using it, the best thing to do is to insert a spermicidal jelly or cream into the vagina immediately.

As we discussed earlier, using certain products with latex condoms may cause them to tear (see the accompanying Sex in Real Life, “What to Use With Condoms”). These also include creams for vaginal infections (such as Monistat™ and Vagisil™). Exposure to heat can also cause a condom to break when used. This is why it’s not a good idea to carry a condom in your pocket or wallet for an extended period of time.


Barrier methods of birth control, including latex condoms, offer the most protection from STIs, including the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, condoms encourage male participation in contraception, are inexpensive (depending on how sexually active the couple is), do not require a prescription, may reduce the incidence of premature ejacu­lation, reduce postcoital drip, and have no medical side effects. Lubricated condoms postcoitai drip may also make intercourse more pleasurable by reducing friction. Overall, polyurethane A vaginal discharge (dnpping) triat °ссшз after

condom users report more sensitivity than do latex condom users (Hollander, 2001). .