External Condoms

An external condom (usually just  is a sheath-shaped ‘barrier’ device worn on the penis or sex toys during sexual activity to reduce the likelihood of pregnancy or transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI). 

Condoms prevent the exchange of bodily fluids during sex, and create a barrier during skin-to-skin and mucous membrane contact. Mucous membranes include the eyes, genitals, mouth, and anus.

Condoms can be highly effective when used correctly. STI transmission is still possible because the condom only protects the areas it covers. This means the condom protects the penis itself as well as the parts of the other person’s body it is in contact with (such as the vagina, vulva, anus, mouth, etc). 

The material the condom is made of will impact its effectiveness. ‘Sheepskin’ or ‘lambskin’ condoms do not protect against STI, so may not be the best choice for sex workers. 

Condoms are one of the least intrusive kinds of birth control for people of all genders, because they’re easy to use and have few side effects.

Sex workers can access free or low-cost condoms and other safer sex supplies from local sex worker organisations and sexual health clinics. 

There are lots of different types of condoms and it’s important to choose the right one for your purposes. 

There are only a few  types of condoms that are effective at preventing STI and BBV transmission: 

• Latex condoms
• Non-latex polyisoprene condoms (such as SKYN brand)
• Polyurethane condoms (such as Sagami brand)

‘Sheepskin’ or ‘Lambskin’ condoms do not protect against STI, so may not be the best choice for sex workers. 

• Supplying condoms yourself or using what’s available at your workplace gives you the most control over what type of condom you use. This means that you can check the material, expiry date and make sure the packaging is not damaged. 
• Some people are allergic to certain condom materials (such as latex). If you or a client have an allergy, you can choose another type of condom that can prevent STI transmission, like polyisoprene condoms (such as SKYN brand) or polyurethane condoms (such as Sagami brand). 
• Some sex workers choose coloured or flavoured condoms for certain services, but these may also contain ingredients that can cause skin irritation or allergies, especially during vaginal or anal penetration.
• Experiment with different types and brands until you find the best one for you – just make sure that you are using latex, polyisoprene or polyurethane condoms to prevent STI transmission. 
• Carrying or having access to a range of sizes of condoms is helpful, as the condom is most effective if it fits correctly and doesn’t break or fall off. 
• Store condoms in a safe, cool place protected from sharp objects (not loose in your bag or wallet).
• Don’t use condoms coated in spermicide (Nonoxynol-9) because it can cause irritation in and on the genital area and increase your risk of getting an STI, BBV or other infection, such as urinary tract infection (UTI).

Never use two condoms on top of each other. It may seem safer, but it’s not. The condoms will rub against each other and can break or slide off more easily. One condom is the safest, and it’s all you need.

1. Use a new condom and check the expiry date because out-of-date condoms are more likely to break. Every condom has an expiration date on the package. Check it before you open one and/or regularly check your supplies. Remove any that are expired.
2. If you have already touched someone else’s genitals without using gloves, wash your hands before handling the condom. 
3. Carefully open the condom wrapper. The rolled-up edge of the condom needs to be on the outside, facing up, or the condom won’t roll down correctly. Only put a condom on once there is a partial or full erection (after the penis has ‘gotten hard’).
4. Squeeze the tip of the condom with your fingertips to leave some extra space in the tip. Then, pinch the tip of the condom while you roll the it down the length of the penis or toy. This helps prevent condom breakage. The rim of the condom should be as close to the base of the penis as possible.
5. Run your fingers from the tip down to the base to squeeze out any air bubbles.
6. Put some more latex-safe lube (not oil-based) on the outside of the condom. Lubes that contain oil can degrade latex condoms, which makes them more likely to break. 

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Here are some videos that provide more information on how to use a condom:

• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eEkW-Kgc2KY
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LzDHYuEltTw
• https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PWeo0ILUebs

Remove the condom immediately after ejaculation, when you are finished having sex, or when you change to another form of penetrative sex.

1. Hold the base of the condom (the rolled-up part near the base of the penis) with your hand while the penis is withdrawn to stop it slipping off.
2. Remove the condom while the penis is still partially or fully erect. If you wait until the penis is soft, the condom can slip off or spill semen/fluids.
3. Pull off the condom with one hand on the base of the condom and your other hand on the tip. Pulling it off by the tip alone can make a mess and increase your chance of making contact with semen/fluids.
4. Tie a knot near the base of the condom and wrap it in a tissue. 
5. Throw the condom away in a rubbish bin (don’t flush them down the toilet) and NEVER reuse condoms.
6. Wash your hands after disposing of a condom.

Putting a condom on with your mouth can make using condoms sexier for the client. It can also help get a condom on a partially erect penis.

1. Make sure the condom is on the right way around and will unroll. The curled rim is on the outside and facing up.
2. Put the condom in your mouth with the tip facing the back of your throat.
3. Hold the condom between your teeth and lips, with the tip touching the teeth. Be careful that your teeth or any tongue/lip piercings don’t break the condom.
4. Squeeze the tip of the condom by flattening the tip between your tongue and the roof of your mouth. This will remove the air.
5. Using your mouth, place the rim of the condom around the tip of the penis and push the condom down firmly using your lips.
6. Run your fingers down the shaft once the condom is unrolled to push out any air bubbles.

Do not allow your mouth to touch any part of the penis shaft or surrounding areas.. You can practice it with a partner, dildo, or a regular client you feel comfortable with.

• Latex condoms can have a drying effect, so it is important to always use a lubricant. 
• You can apply lubricant on your own vulva, vagina, and/or anus before or during a booking with a client. You should still use additional lube on the condom if possible. 
• Oil-based products such as Vaseline, baby oil, coconut oil or body lotions will degrade latex condoms and make them more likely to break. The only types of condoms that you can safely use oil-based lubricants with are polyurethane condoms.
• If having sex for an extended time, reapply lubricant regularly and/or change to a new condom to minimise the chance of condom breakage. 

You can put a few small drops of water-based lube inside the tip of the condom before you put it on. This can help get it on and make condoms feel better during use. Using too much lube inside the condom may increase the risk of the condom slipping off.

It is a good idea to be aware of the condom at all times during sex, in case the condom has slipped off or been removed. Discreetly checking the condom frequently visually or with your fingers will help prevent this. Using coloured condoms can also make it easier to check quickly.

• • It is recommended that you always change condoms when switching between anal,  vaginal or oral sex.
  • Changing condoms each time you change services can also help to prevent transmission of STI between different parts of your own body (e.g. transferring gonorrhoea from the throat to the genitals via a client’s penis or toys).
  • Use a new condom for each person in a couple, threesome or group sex booking.
  • Use condoms on sex toys if they aren’t your own or if you are sharing them with clients or other sex workers. 
  • If you use massage oils during bookings, be sure to clean your hands before handling latex condoms to prevent breakage.
  • You can put a condom on your fingers when fingering or fisting a vagina or anus if you don’t have access to gloves or finger cots.
  • You can use a condom as a dam by cutting off the tip and elastic at the base, then making another cut down the length of the condom and opening it up into a square.

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If a client does not want to use a condom or tries to get you to agree not to, you can try to use some of the following statements to convince them to do so. 

• ‘Using a condom/dam helps me relax and get more into it.’
• ‘You will feel so good, you won’t even notice the condom.’
• ‘Trust me, I’m very good at this!’ 
• ‘We are protecting your health as much as mine when we use condoms.’
• ‘These condoms are ultra-thin, so you won’t feel like you have anything on at all.’
• ‘Our policy is that you get kicked out if you ask for condomless services – I’ll let it pass this time, but please don’t ask again.’ (This may only be useful in workplaces where management will support your choices, or where this is an actual policy.) 
• ‘You have two choices: you can use a condom and have a great time or refuse to use one and go elsewhere.’ 
• ‘Sex workers have such low rates of STI and HIV in Australia because we practice safe sex.’
• ‘I never have unsafe sex, and I’m not about to start now!’