You don't have to be a certain age to buy condoms (there is no "legal age"). The person behind the counter may raise an eyebrow, but he or she shouldn't make you feel bad for choosing to protect yourself and your partner.

 
You can buy condoms at grocery stores, drug stores or pharmacies, gas stations, vending machines in bathrooms, or over the Internet. You can often get free or low-cost condoms from family planning clinics, like Planned Parenthood.

 
You can find a clinic by looking in your local Yellow Pages under "family planning" or "clinics." You can also find a clinic here or call 1-800-230-PLAN (7526) to be connected automatically to the Planned Parenthood health center nearest you.

Now, lots of teens feel lost when they shop for condoms. Ribbed? Flavored? Sizes? The choices seem endless! The most important things to look for in condoms are:

Material. Make sure you buy either latex or polyurethane condoms only. 

Size. You may want to experiment with different size condoms to find the right one for you. If the condom doesn't fit you, then it is more likely to slip off.

Lubrication. Lubricants like Astroglide, KY Jelly and Slippery Stuff can help sex feel better, and it can also decrease the chance of the condom ripping from the friction of penetration. (Never use petroleum-based products like Vaseline with latex condoms. Petroleum products weaken latex.)

Brand. Well-known brands are sure to go through a rigorous testing process before they are put on the market. Trusted brands include: Trojan, Durex, and Lifestyles.

Expiration Date. Check the date on the package to be sure it hasn't expired. Do not use condoms that have an expired date on them.

There are also flavored condoms, which help reduce the risk of getting an STD through oral sex. STDs can be spread through unprotected oral sex or skin-to-skin contact. But don't use flavored condoms for vaginal or anal sex. The sugary substances that make them taste good can also cause infections in the vagina or anus.

As long as you keep these basics in mind, you can try out all of the other cool stuff, like ribbing, colors, twists and specialty water-based lubricants. You can find sampler packs online at Condomania.

Do you know how to use a condom correctly?  Real Teens, Real Life has two great animations all about how to use condoms correctly: Marvin the Condom and Condom Use Game. Test your skills!