According to condom pioneers Durex, the message is simple: condoms are the only form of protection that can help stop the transmission of STIs and prevent pregnancy. And we happen to agree with them.
In this day and age, with so many different colours, textures and varieties of condoms available there is no excuse for not protecting yourself and your lover from infection and unplanned pregnancy.
This guide will explain exactly why condoms are so important, how to use them and how to choose the right style of condom to suit your needs.
Condoms Explained
To watch videos, you need Version 9 or greater of the Flash Player. Click here to see which Flash Version you have. If you have Version 8 or less, get the latest Flash Player here.
You also need to have JavaScript enabled in your browser.
Why Use Condoms?
For decades, women have fallen peril to thinking that just because they're on the pill they won't get pregnant through unprotected sex. Wrong! Just because you're using a form of birth control means doesn't mean you can go without condoms.
No contraceptive pill, injection, implant or patch is 100 per cent reliable. Team your contraceptive pill with a condom and you can protect against STIs and/or against pregnancy, especially if you're a few hours late with your pill.
Condoms are also the best option for those of you who suffer side effects to popular birth-control methods. After all, unlike a pill or injection, a condom won't affect your weight or give you spots, and it won't give you headaches or have to be used at a specific time each day. Condoms can be slipped on when needed, then carefully disposed of after they've been used. Job done.
Another major reason why it's smart to use condoms on top of your birth control method or as an alternative, is because unlike the pill, injection or patch, condoms can protect you and your lover from sexually transmitted infections you may not even know you have.
It's not just during the act of sex that organisms that cause STIs can be transmitted, but in the fluids you and your partner secrete just before actual penetration as well. So it's important to have a condom to hand as soon as things start getting really steamy.
How to Use a Condom
First things first: never use a condom more than once and always put a condom on your partner's penis before penetrative play begins, as early stages of an erection can contain sperm and organisms that can cause STIs.
To use a condom, remove the condom from its foil wrapper by tearing along one side and removing the condom inside. Air trapped inside a condom could cause it to break. To avoid this, squeeze the closed (teat-like) end of your condom between your forefinger and thumb and place the condom over your partner's erect penis, making sure that the roll is on the outside. While still squeezing the closed end, use your free hand to unroll the condom down the shaft of your partner's penis.
Make sure that the condom stays in place during sex, and if it rolls up, roll it back into place before continuing with your sex shenanigans. If the condom slips off, dispose of it and apply a new condom before sex continues.
After your partner has ejaculated, withdraw his penis while still holding the condom firmly in place then wrap the condom in a tissue and dispose of it in the bin. Never flush a condom down the toilet.
Types of Condom
When you’re choosing a condom, it’s really important to decide what you want from it, and what you want to do while wearing it. There are loads of different ones available, including flavoured for oral sex, extra safe for anal, delay varieties for him and non-latex for anyone with an allergy to the standard latex used with most condoms.
Delay Condoms
Delay condoms are a great way to prolong pleasure and make him last longer in bed. Using a tiny amount of the light anesthetic benzocaine, they reduce sensitivity throughout the whole of his penis, effectively working to delay ejaculation.
They have exactly the same features as regular condoms, with reservoir and teat ends and an easy-on shape, but they’re often slightly thicker. This helps to reduce over-stimulation even further, keeping the pleasure going for longer.
Extra Strong Condoms
Often when you’re having sex, you just want peace of mind. Worrying about whether a condom will be effective or not can be really off putting, and that’s why Extra Strong Condoms are a great way to enjoy pleasure and protection together.
They’re slightly thicker than standard condoms, providing extra security and safeness, while also reducing the chance of a condom splitting. Some people prefer extra thick condoms for anal sex, as they feel stronger and less likely to split.
Flavoured Condoms
Flavoured condoms come in a variety of exciting and delicious tastes, and they are the perfect way to make oral sex fun and safe. They’re also good if you or your partner feel self conscious about taste, as they take the worry away, and help you to both enjoy oral sex more.
Since flavoured condoms are shaped and made in the same way as regular condoms, they can be used as a safe and effective means of protection during sex too.
Large Condoms
If you’re bigger than average and find standard sized condoms too tight or restricting, or that they come off easily during sex or split, then large condoms might be better for you. They’re designed to accommodate larger men, ensuring that you get full protection and a comfortable fit. Large and extra large condoms can measure anywhere up to around 241mm. The average condom size is around 178mm when completely unrolled, showing a really obvious difference between these and the standard version.
Making sure that you have the right condom size for you is really important. If your condom is too small, it’s unlikely to offer you the same kind of protection as you would find with a condom that fits.
Non-Latex Condoms
Being allergic to latex can be quite a problem if you’re going to use condoms. Ensuring that you use latex-free condoms is important, especially if you want to enjoy safe and pleasurable play.
Non-latex condoms tend to be made from materials like polyisoprene or polyethelene, which actually offer a more natural feeling compared to regular condoms - with the same amount of protection. It’s for this reason that lots of people prefer the sensation of non-latex condoms, even if they’re fine to use the standard latex variety.
Ribbed Condoms
Ribbed and contoured condoms are one of the best ways to spice-up play together, without bringing sex toys into the bedroom. All textured condoms are detailed differently, some have raised dots, others ridges and bumps, all of which help to provide extra stimulation for both partners during sex.
It’s because they feature such satisfying textures that they’re a firm favourite with couples who want to join protection and pleasure in the bedroom.
Sensitive Condoms
Sensitive condoms give you the sensation of closeness, while still providing full protection. Usually they have around 20% less thickness when compared to regular condoms, which allows for a more real-life sensation during sex. Since they’re thinner, they’re usually made from premium quality latex which has the same durability and strength as standard variety condoms.
Many people find that condoms reduce sensation for both partners during sex, and sensitive condoms are the perfect way to compromise between closeness and safety.
Small Condoms
Using the right sized condom is really important - a condom that doesn’t fit properly won’t be effective against pregnancy or sexually transmitted infections. If you’re someone who finds that regular sized condoms simply don’t fit, that they slip off during sex or never feel quite as snug as you’d expect, smaller condoms could be right for you.
Small condoms have all the benefits as standard size, including the reservoir tip for easy clean-up and extra lubrication.
You may also like:
Cheap Condoms | Delay Condoms | Durex Condoms | Extra Strong Condoms | Flavoured Condoms | Large Condoms | Non-Latex Condoms | Ribbed Condoms | Sensitive Condoms | Small Condoms
Add a comment