How Many Condoms Do You Need In A Threesome?

The answer seemed obvious, didn't it? Before you actually started thinking about why we asked the question.

Is the answer 1?

Is it multiple?

Is there even a right answer?

Thankfully, there is. Let’s do that sex math together.

When to Change Condoms in a Threesome

A fresh condom is needed every time you:

1. Switch between partners (even if they’re both comfortable with each other)

2. Move between vaginal and anal penetration (to prevent bacterial transfer)

3. Finish one round and want to go for another

Once a barrier or condom is taken off and tossed on the bedsheets or kept on a counter, it cannot be brought back into use. Once it’s off, it needs to be disposed of. So avoid using creative strategies which involve you remembering which condom you used on which partner so you can bring it back into play and reduce the total number of condoms needed in one evening.

Think of condoms like a fresh set of gloves—each partner deserves a clean slate for both safety and comfort.

Acts that require condoms and dental dams:

1. Oral play

2. Hand play

3. Toy play (cover penetrative toys with condoms and change them between partners)

4. Strap-on play (using a lubricated condom on a dildo can also keep it lubed up for longer)

There should be gloves or condoms used for acts like fingering too, and oral play should involve barriers like dental dams. Not only will this minimise the risk of transmission and fluid exchanges, it can also reduce friction and injuries that could be caused from fingernails or teeth.

Why Protection Matters—Even If You All Trust Each Other

Many people think “We’re all clean, so we don’t need condoms,” but here’s why that’s an issue:

“Clean” is a myth born from stigma and stereotyping. There’s no such thing as being “clean enough” to avoid or escape STIs entirely.

1. Some STIs, like HPV and herpes, can spread through skin-to-skin contact—even without penetration.

2. People may have undiagnosed infections that might be asymptomatic and became an active infection after their last STI test.

3. Even in committed throuples or poly relationships, sexual health is ongoing, and new partners change the risk factor. Fluctuations in your immune systems can also lead to unexpected changes in your sexual health status.

Using protection doesn’t mean you don’t trust each other—it means you care enough to prioritize safety.

Some years ago, we didn’t even respond well in bed if a partner got a bottle of lube out. Some of us felt insecure about it, others took it as an insult. Now lube feels like a normal part of play and we can only hope more forms of barriers become just as normal too.

Here’s how you can make protection feel more accessible and normal:

1. Place condoms & dental dams on the nightstand

2. Use flavored condoms or dams for oral play (only)

3. Discussing latex allergies and non-latex options with partners

4. Stock up on condoms together!

Threesomes should be about connection, excitement, and mutual pleasure and that pleasure only gets better when everyone feels safe. The relief of ending a threesome without signs of skin irritation or injury and without stressful test results in the next three months, only helps ensure that you don’t associate that threesome with stress or unnecessary shame.

Safety and protection lets the focus of your fantasies stay on pleasure and play, and not the idea of repercussions. And that is sexy.