What it is
Barriers come in latex, polyisoprene, polyurethane and nitrile, so there are options for people with latex allergies. A barrier works only when it is intact, used from start to finish and changed between partners, body areas and toys. Barriers also make cleanup easier and can be used playfully, for example with gloves in medical scenes.
Barriers are thin layers that keep body fluids and skin from direct contact during sex and play. External condoms go over a penis or a toy, internal condoms are placed inside the vagina or anus, dental dams cover the vulva or anus during oral sex, and gloves protect hands and fingers. Used correctly and consistently, they lower the risk of many sexually transmitted infections and help keep shared toys hygienic.
What it involves
- Putting a condom on a penis or toy before any genital contact, and using a new one each time.
- Using an internal condom, which the receiving partner can insert ahead of time.
- Placing a dental dam over the vulva or anus during oral sex, or a condom cut open into a flat sheet.
- Wearing nitrile or latex gloves for fingering, fisting or hand play, especially with cuts on the hands.
How to start
Keep a small supply of condoms in different sizes, plus gloves and dental dams, where you play.
Practice putting on a condom, pinching the tip to leave room and rolling it all the way down.
Use plenty of compatible lube on the outside of the barrier to prevent tearing.
Check the expiry date and the packaging for damage before opening, and open it with fingers, not teeth.
Going further
- Change condoms on shared toys between partners and when switching from anal to vaginal use.
- Try internal condoms or polyurethane options for variety or to avoid latex.
- Build barriers into the rhythm of sex so they feel like part of the scene, not an interruption.
- Combine barriers with regular testing and, where it fits, vaccination and PrEP for broader protection.
Safety
- Use only water-based or silicone-based lube with latex and polyisoprene, since oil weakens them.
- Never use two condoms at once, because friction between them makes tearing more likely.
- Hold the base of the condom when withdrawing and dispose of it in the trash, not the toilet.
- Store barriers away from heat, sharp objects and direct sunlight, for example not in a wallet for months.
Consent
- Agree on barrier use before sex starts, when everyone can think clearly.
- Removing or damaging a condom without the partner's agreement is a serious violation of consent and a crime in many places.
- Talk honestly about testing, recent risks and any known infections.
- Respect a partner's wish to use barriers without asking them to justify it.
Warnings
- Condoms reduce but do not eliminate the risk of infections spread by skin contact, such as herpes or HPV.
- If a condom breaks or slips off, speak with a doctor or sexual health clinic about emergency contraception and HIV post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP) as soon as possible.
- Latex allergies can cause itching, rash or more serious reactions, so switch to nitrile or polyurethane if needed.
- Novelty condoms are often not tested for protection, so check the packaging before relying on them.
Good to know
- PEP works best when started within hours and must begin within 72 hours of a possible exposure (in Switzerland, the guidelines set 48 hours).
- Vaccines exist for HPV and hepatitis B, and they are worth discussing with a healthcare provider.
- Many sexual health clinics and health departments offer free or low-cost testing and barriers.
- Covering toys with condoms is a simple way to share them safely, especially porous toys that cannot be fully cleaned.