Condoms have long been hailed as a cornerstone of sexual health, offering effective dual protection against both unintended pregnancies and sexually transmitted infections (STIs). But despite their widespread use and clear advantages, new research and expert analysis reveal that many people—across age groups and nationalities—are still making common mistakes when using condoms. Such errors threaten not only the effectiveness of condoms but also the public health progress made in promoting safer sex globally, including here in Thailand.
Many Thai readers will be familiar with campaigns stressing the importance of carrying and using condoms, especially among younger and sexually active populations. But knowing that condoms are crucial is just the first step—knowing how to use them correctly remains a gap that experts are urging health officials and educators to address more proactively. According to reviews such as the one published in the journal Sexual Health that analyzed 50 global studies, incorrect condom use is rampant—and the same mistakes keep recurring in diverse settings, from the United States to Asia to Africa (Live Science).
A clear pattern emerges from these international studies, echoed by sexual health experts interviewed by AskMen and youth services like Brook UK (AskMen, Brook). The most common and consequential condom mistakes include putting on a condom too late (after sexual activity has already begun), removing it too soon (before sex has properly concluded), using the wrong size, failing to check for packet damage or expiry date, opening the package with teeth or sharp objects, and using improper lubricants. For example, studies found that between 17% and over 50% of people reported late application, while early removal occurred in up to 45% of encounters (Live Science). The habit of unrolling the condom before putting it on was also surprisingly prevalent, as was failing to squeeze air from the tip—essential to prevent breakage.
One underlying issue is the lack of comprehensive, practical education on correct condom use. While school sex education in Thailand often covers the importance of condoms, actual instruction on the details—like squeezing the tip, holding the base during withdrawal, using sufficient water-based lube, and changing condoms when switching between anal and vaginal sex—is frequently insufficient or omitted, as highlighted in international and local critiques (Brook). Health officials at the Department of Disease Control have repeatedly flagged this gap, but changes to classroom curricula and outreach remain slow.
Incorrect condom use can directly result in higher incidences of breakage, slippage, or leakage, all of which undermine the protection that condoms promise. Condoms, when used perfectly, offer a 98% success rate in preventing pregnancy, but real-world figures drop to around 85% because of human error, according to the World Health Organization and multiple meta-analyses (WHO). Some studies reviewed found breakage rates as high as 40.7% (though most were much lower), and slippage rates between 13% and 19%. Even a small tear—perhaps caused during a hurried, careless opening—or degradation from improper storage (such as in a wallet, pocket, or a car where heat and pressure build up) can make a condom fail unexpectedly.
There are additional mistakes that many people do not even realize are problematic. Using oil-based lubricants with latex condoms causes the rubber to degrade, leading to microscopic tears invisible to the naked eye. According to sexual health educator from a Bangkok hospital, “Many young people and even adults in long-term relationships tell us they use body lotions or common household oils as lube, not knowing these destroy the effectiveness of a standard condom. Water- or silicone-based lubricants are the only safe choice with latex.”
Equally concerning is the practice of turning a condom inside out after discovering it was rolled on the wrong way. In this situation, the outside of the condom has already come into contact with genital fluids, nullifying its protective barrier function. For this reason, sexual health advisors stress that couples must start again with a new condom.
Perhaps in a well-meaning but misinformed attempt at increasing protection, some people don two condoms at once, believing this will double the safety. In reality, experts warn, using multiple condoms simultaneously actually increases friction, making them far more likely to tear or slip off—eliminating the desired protective effect (AskMen). Other users mistakenly believe that washing or reusing a condom is viable, when in fact condoms are strictly single-use products.
The frequency of these mistakes has significant implications for Thailand, where rates of certain STIs such as HIV remain high according to Ministry of Public Health statistics, especially among key populations in urban areas and among young people. Despite Thailand’s broadly successful campaigns to reduce HIV transmission—such as the well-known “100% Condom Use Program” launched in the 1990s—recent studies indicate that improper condom use is an ongoing reason for residual new infections (WHO). Interviews with family planning nurses and sexual health NGOs in Bangkok and Chiang Mai confirm that “condom etiquette” is still not talked about enough with clients or in community outreach.
Social attitudes in Thailand also play a role. Culturally, conversations around sex—and specifically condom use—are still considered taboo in many families, temples, and even some schools. This can discourage young people from asking the necessary “how-to” questions, leading to guesswork, embarrassment, and quiet mistakes. In a 2023 interview with a Chulalongkorn University sexual health researcher, the expert explained: “We see many new university students who have been told condoms are important, but never shown how to actually use one. This leads to a lot of confusion, especially during first-time experience, and contributes to avoidable errors and the resulting unwanted pregnancies and infections.” Such findings echo global research among first-year university students in Nigeria and South Africa, where up to 90% knew they should use condoms but far fewer could correctly describe the steps (PubMed).
Another unique cultural context in Thailand is the widespread availability of free or inexpensive condoms through public health campaigns, yet shame or fear often prevent people—especially women and LGBTQ+ individuals—from requesting condoms at a pharmacy or health center. This can lead to the risky practice of relying on whatever condom is available, regardless of size or expiry date, or even skipping condom use altogether.
The rise of dating apps and more casual hookups among young Thais has also pushed these concerns to the fore. As one Bangkok-based sex therapist affiliated with the Thai Red Cross told us, “People often underestimate how many condoms they should bring or expect the other partner to provide them. In reality, you should always have more than one on hand—so you’re not left unprotected if something goes wrong, or if there’s a second round.”
What can Thailand do to address these recurring errors and promote safer sex for all? First, there is a clear need to overhaul sex education so that it moves beyond abstinence messages and covers the full ‘how, when, why, and what to do if things go wrong’ of condom use. Schools, universities, and youth clinics could provide more workshops and demonstrations; there are also calls for clinics to offer sample packs of different condom sizes so users can find their best fit. Amplifying peer-to-peer, non-judgmental channels—whether through social media, influencers, or nightlife venues—could help normalize conversations on condom technique among Thai youth.
Furthermore, Thai public health agencies should ensure that condom access points are discreet, inclusive, and well-stocked, while continually updating the quality of educational messages to address the most common mistakes. “Repeat, repeat, repeat” is how one family planning nurse described the necessary approach, suggesting that both printed instructions and digital video guides be distributed with every box of condoms.
Guidance for Thai readers is clear: Always check your condom’s expiry date and packaging before use, open it gently by hand, and make sure to use the right size for the best comfort and protection. Apply the condom before any genital contact begins, use only water- or silicone-based lubricants, and never reuse a condom. If you make a mistake—like rolling it the wrong way, noticing a tear, or using the wrong lubricant—dispose of it and start afresh with a new one. Carry several condoms when you go out, and store them in a cool, dry place to avoid degradation. Finally, don’t be afraid to ask for advice or demonstration if you’re new to using condoms—information is empowerment, and the consequences of getting it wrong are simply too high.
For parents, teachers, and health providers in Thailand, now is the time to break the silence and offer real skills, not just messages, around condom use—helping the next generation make safer choices without fear, embarrassment, or misinformation.
For more practical advice, visit Brook’s condom guide or check with your nearest health centre for free, confidential support and demonstrations of safe condom use.