I know how to maintain an erection while wearing a condom

One in two people say they have lost their erection because of a condom (Li et al., 2020).

It’s totally common and can happen for several reasons:

1. wrong condom size
2. stress and anxiety about losing an erection while putting on the condom
3. lack of experience
4. lack of lubricant

Knowing what can affect your erection while you’re putting on a condom helps you come up with strategies to prevent it from happening to you!

But it also helps put things into perspective: losing an erection can happen to anyone—it’s normal. Most importantly, it doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun!

Tip #1

Find the right condom size for you

Wearing the wrong condom size can be distracting and uncomfortable.

1. A condom that’s too tight can restrict the blood flow necessary to maintain an erection.
2. A condom that’s too large can slip off or move around.

When you feel uncomfortable, it's difficult to stay present, which may interfere with arousal or getting an erection.

That’s why finding the right condom size is essential.

Most brands offer three sizes: slim, standard, and large. Sizes can vary by brand.
At home, you can measure the length and girth of your penis, or you can try on different sizes to find the one that fits you best.

Tip #2

Use putting on a condom to your advantage

Hitting pause to unwrap and put on a condom can shift the mood.

When stimulation suddenly stops, an erection may subside and require additional stimulation to return.

However, a fulfilling sex life doesn’t have to be intense from start to finish. Mixing up stimulation, taking your time, and incorporating condoms into sex play enhances the pleasure for everyone involved.

You can:

1. put on the condom while maintaining eye contact
2. invite your partner to put it on for you
3. continue fondling, kissing, or talking sensually with your partner.

Putting on a condom is actually a great opportunity to change things up a bit and play with the pace and add some variety to your pleasure.

Tip #3

Keep up the stimulation after the condom is on

Putting on a condom can feel like starting a race against the clock before you lose your erection.

We also tend to think penetration has to happen immediately once the condom is on.

But there’s no rush!

When we’re having sex, we’re under no obligation to follow a strict kissing → foreplay → putting on the condom → penetration → fireworks → sleep.

You can continue stimulating one another using your hands, mouth, and the rest of your bodies, even after putting on the condom.

This lets you take your time and prolong the pleasure. Who wouldn’t want that?

Tip #4

Never underestimate lubricant

Many people say they can’t feel anything with a condom, and that might be because they aren’t using enough lube.

The less it glides, the more sensations can feel minimized… or become uncomfortable.

Less pleasure = weaker erection.

Adding extra lube to already lubricated condoms helps them glide better and decreases the risk of tearing.

You can apply it to the outside of the condom, but also add a drop or two inside for optimal glide.
This helps increase comfort and pleasure!

Tip #5

Practice makes perfect

Like so many things, knowing how to put on a condom takes practice.

Experience helps build confidence and makes you feel more comfortable putting one on.

If you have a penis, you can practice applying a condom during masturbation sessions to get used to putting on a condom and to get used to the sensation.

A quick reminder of the steps for putting on a condom:

1. Check the expiration date on the package.
2. Carefully open the package with your hands (avoid using your teeth or scissors) and make sure the condom is in good condition. If the condom is torn, throw it away and open a new one.
3. Check which way it rolls. The “right side” of a condom is the one that is rolled outward, like a hat.
4. Pinch the tip of the reservoir to remove the air and leave space to collect semen.
5. Place the condom on the penis and unroll it all the way to the base. If the condom is on the wrong way, do not turn it inside out: throw it away and use a new one.

Tip #6

Expand your sexual activity beyond penetration

If the success of a sexual encounter depends on penetration, that can put a lot of pressure on your erection.
And worrying about “not losing your erection” can trigger a stress response.

The problem is that more stress means less arousal. And without arousal, it’s hard to get an erection.

Not limiting yourself to penetration gives your brain permission to relax and focus on what really matters: your pleasure (and your partner’s).

Because sex is also about:

1. touch
2. fantasy
3. communication
4. exploration
5. connection
6. attraction