A female condom is similar to a male condom, except that it’s inserted into a woman’s vagina instead of being put on the penis. They’re sort of like inside-out male condoms and prevent pregnancy the same way—by catching sperm in the condom so it doesn’t get into the woman’s body. Female condoms are pretty easy to use and they’re cool for people with latex allergies. Like the condom, they help protect you from STIs. Use the female condom with a hormonal birth control method for extra protection against pregnancy.

Nope! There are no age restrictions on purchasing condoms, and you can buy them at most drugstores and grocery stores. You can also get condoms for free at many health clinics, so check out condomfinder.org to see where you can get free condoms in your area.

Male condoms and female condoms are the only birth control methods that also provide STI protection (besides abstinence, of course). If you want to be extra protected against pregnancy too, you can use them with a hormonal birth control method (like the pill, the implant, or an IUD). Visit our Birth Control Explorer to check out all of the birth control options available to you.

The condom aisle can be a pretty overwhelming place. Even though condoms come in different brands, shapes, sizes, and even colors, they are all pretty similar. Experiment with a few kinds until you find one that you both like. If all the options are bogging you down, remember that a plain lubricated condom is usually a safe bet.

There are no age restrictions on buying condoms, so you’ll be able to pick them up at your local grocery store or drugstore. You can also check out condomfinder.org to see where you can get free condoms in your area. But if you don’t want your parents to find your condoms, be careful where you keep them.

There are also some hormonal birth control methods that you can get without your parents finding out, but you’ll need to visit a doctor or health clinic. Each state makes its own laws about confidentiality and parental notification for patients under 18. So when calling to make an appointment, let them know your age and ask if you need parental consent for your visit or to get the method you want. Make sure to ask whether the clinic guarantees confidentiality, or if they’ll notify your parents. If you’re using your parent’s health insurance, try calling the insurance company ahead of time to ask about getting some privacy.

Need to find a clinic? Use our clinic locator; just type in your zip code for all the info you’ll need to find a health center nearby.

1. The first thing you want to do when putting on a male condom is to check the expiration date (outdated condoms break easier).
2. Then you’ll carefully open the wrapper and remove the condom.
3. Make sure the penis is fully erect when you go to put the condom on.
4. The condom will have what looks like a ring around the outside—make sure that ring is facing up when you place the condom on the penis, so you don’t try to roll it down the wrong way. (You’ll know if it’s the wrong side because the condom won’t roll down very far.) If you accidently put the condom on the wrong way, don’t just flip it over—throw out that condom and start with a fresh one.
5. Pinch the tip of the condom as you roll it over the penis to reduce air bubbles (they can cause the condom to break). Roll the condom down as far as it will go.
6. The condom should fit snugly, but if it is too loose or uncomfortably tight, you may want to try a different kind.
7. When you’re done, be careful when taking the condom off so the semen doesn’t spill out.
8. Condoms can’t be reused, so throw it away after one use (and definitely don’t try to flush it down the toilet).

You insert a female condom into the vagina, and it works by keeping the sperm inside the condom and out of the woman’s body. Get comfortable before you insert it (it might feel a little weird until you get the hang of it). Squeeze the sides of the inner condom ring together to put it into the vagina. Push the condom (from the inside) up toward the cervix using your finger. This part is kinda like putting in a tampon. Once it is comfortably inside, pull your finger out, leaving about an inch of the condom hanging out of the vagina. Make sure that the penis goes inside the condom, and doesn’t accidentally slip around it.

It might seem like using a male condom along with your female condom will double your protection—not true! Using two condoms will make them more likely to break. Just like male condoms, female condoms can’t be reused, so make sure to throw it away after sex.

Pairing a hormonal birth control method with condoms for double protection is a great idea! If the pill isn’t right for you, consider a “get it and forget it” method, like an IUD or the implant. Check out our Birth Control Explorer to see all of the methods of birth control available to you.

Don’t let the cost keep you from the birth control method you want—there are many ways you can get birth control for free or very low-cost. Luckily, health insurance companies are required to cover all birth control methods for women without extra costs—so if you have health insurance, it could cost you $0. Even if you’re using your parent’s insurance plan. This includes IUDs, the implant, the pill, the patch, the shot, the ring, and more.

If you don’t have health insurance, there are other programs that can help you cover the costs of birth control. Your local health center should be able to help you figure out the options available to you. Need help finding a health center? Use our Health Center Finder.

Nope! There are plenty of myths out there about condoms, but plastic bags or plastic wrap are no substitute for an actual condom. So make sure to pick up some condoms before things heat up (or keep a stash on hand), because something else will not work in a pinch.

There’s no age restriction on buying condoms, so you can pick them up at your local drugstore or grocery store. Condoms are pretty cheap, but you can also get them for free from many places—check out condomfinder.org to find out where to get free condoms in your area.