Using a condom and water-based lube is still the best way to stop transmission of HIV.
Be prepared...
Condoms can be bought by anyone at supermarkets and pharmacies. Condoms are also available for free at the AIDS Action Council.
Make sure plenty of condoms are available and conveniently located.
Store condoms in a cool, dry place away from sunlight and heat. Do not carry condoms in your wallet for long periods of time. Friction from opening and closing your wallet, and from walking (if you carry your wallet in your pocket) can cause weakness in the condom.
Condoms are cheap. Get a few extra condoms to practice putting them onto dildos or onto penis-like objects. Get a feel for them and how they work. Throw these practice condoms away. You can't use them for sex now.
Before sex...
Check the use by date. Using a condom after the use by date has expired increases the chance that the condom will break.
Don't use a condom that is brittle, sticky or discoloured. These are signs of age, and old condoms are more likely to break.
If a condom package is damaged, don't use the condom because it may be damaged also.
Avoid opening the condom until you plan to use it.
Using the condom...
Most workers put the condom on the client themselves to make sure it’s on properly and to prevent any sabotage. Many workers find it easier to put the condom on as soon as the client has an erection without discussion or comment. This also prevents pre-cum leakage. Here are some tips.
- Push the condom to one side before opening the packet.
- When you pull the condom out of the packet check that it is the right side up so it will roll down the penis easily. (It’s very hard to get an inside-out condom on!).
- Squeeze air from the tip (this allows room for the semen), then roll the condom onto the penis. Be careful not to cut the condom with your fingernails.
- Always use lots of water-based lubricant when having penetrative sex. Using other lubricants, such as baby oil or vaseline can cause the condom to break.
- Place the condom on the head of the penis and roll it down with your hands or lips (using your lips is always a good novelty for the client).
- If the client is uncircumcised you will need to pull his foreskin back before putting on the condom. Always ask him before doing this as some men are not used to having their foreskins pulled back and are very sensitive there;
- Danger! Don’t use two condoms at a time, eg if the client has warts. Two condoms are not twice as safe! Friction can cause them both to break. If the client has an STI you should not see him and tell him to get a check-up;
- It’s not a good idea to use the same condom for oral sex/vaginal sex/anal sex.
- Prolonged sex will weaken a condom and make it easier to break, so replace it after 20 minutes or so (depending how rigorous the sex).
- Some positions are more likely to cause a condom to break or roll up the client’s penis. Eg. Lying on your stomach with the client on top of you (also facing down) doesn’t seem to agree with condoms. In this position it is a good idea to keep discreetly checking the condom with your fingers to make sure it is still in place.
- Pull out and check the condom occasionally, and re-lube.
- After the client ejaculates, hold onto the condom at the base as he withdraws to prevent leakage of his semen.
- Hold base of condom when pulling out. Make sure that semen doesn't leak out of the condom.
The condom broke or slipped off...
Refer to the guide Condom broke or slipped...
What if the client won't use a condom?
The risk of serious sexually transmitted infections, including HIV/AIDS, is not worth it - and sex work without condoms is against the law. Here are some lines you might be able to use to convince a reluctant punter:
- "When we're through, it'll be me, not the condom you'll be thinking of."
- "You have two choices: You can use a condom or not use a condom. I'm using one. If you don't want to use a condom you can always go elsewhere."
- "We don't have to use a condom. Let's just have a nice cup of coffee and a chat, shall we?"
- "I never have unsafe sex, and I'm not about to start now."
- "I'll just leave, shall I?"
- "You obviously haven't had a good time with these things. Just you lie back and relax and I'll show you how's it done by an expert."
- "You'll never feel the difference!"
- "I care too much about my health to go without a condom."
Lines from "STD Handbook", published by Australian National Council of AIDS and Related Diseases.
Extra tips...
Use each condom only once.
Condoms are not just for penises! They can be used on Vibrators dildos sex toys to prevent infections being transmittted. Remember to use a new condom every time the toy etc is being used with a different person.