Lubricants or `Lube'

Using lubricant means more comfort and safety. Not using any, not using enough or using the wrong sort makes condoms more likely to break or come off.

Lubricant should go on the condom-covered penis, and in and around the vagina or anus.

Avoid getting lubricant on the penis before the condom goes on – this makes it more likely to slip off.

Latex condoms are made weak by oil-based lubricants such as skin cream, Vaseline, massage oil, baby oil, hair gel, cream or oil-based food from the kitchen.

Water-based lubricant should be used (eg KY jelly, Wet Stuff, Astroglide) and can be bought in chemists and supermarkets.

Avanti condoms and Femidom female condoms are the only ones it’s safe to use oil-based lubricants with as they’re both made from polyurethane (which, unlike rubber, isn’t weakened by oil-based products).

You can also buy silicone lubricant – it stays slippy for longer and is safe to use with all condoms (but can stain clothes or bedding, and damage sex toys made of silicone).

Add more lubricant during sex to reduce the risk of a condom breaking or slipping off and don’t rely on spit – it dries quickly, causing condoms to break.