Heres your guide to finding the condom thats right for you.
Condom Basics
Lets get started with a quick primer.
Condoms are used to prevent pregnancy and the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
There are two main types of condoms: latex and polyurethane.
Condoms come in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and textures.
They can be lubricated or non-lubricated.
Some condoms also contain spermicide.
Keep repeating the process until it feels second nature.
Play with the rim a bitto ensure you know which direction it goes.
(Never use oil-based lubes with condoms!)
Pinch the tipto leave a bit of extra space, then put the condom over your penis or toy.
(This will help your foreskin move around inside the condom.)
Find Your Size
Condoms are not one size fits all.
For that reason, I was so excited to stumble across the companyLucky Blokea few years ago.
Theyve made it their mission to help people find the right condom for their body.
Lucky Bloke has a simple toilet paper roll strategy for sizing.
Put your erect penis or your sex toy into an empty toilet paper roll.
If theres extra space, circumference-wise, look for condoms in the tight-fit category.
Lucky Bloke says about 35% of guys fit into this category.
If the toilet paper roll fits just right, look for medium or standard size condoms.
This category comprises 50% of men.
If its snug, youre looking at large condoms.
Thats about 15% of guys.
But youre going to be so much more comfortable getting the size that actually fits your body.
Experiment With Extras
Condoms also come ribbed or studded for extra stimulation.
you could buy ultrathin condoms, which promise more sensation than the standard thickness.
Contrary to myth, thinner condoms are also less likely to break.
There are also pleasure fit condoms, which have more room around the head.
(Some men find that the extra space increases sensitivity.)
I highly recommend taking lots of different options for a test drive.
Alternately, some condoms claim to have arousing characteristics, like warming or cooling sensations.
And of course, there are flavored condoms, which are typically used for blowjobs.
They can cause adverse reactions, including skin irritations.
Use Condoms on Toys
Using condoms on toys makes for faster and easier clean-up.
You would think to worry about sizing when using a toy, but its not a bad idea.
Youll be less likely to experience slippage if you have a condom that fits your toy properly.
You squeeze the inner ring to insert the condom into the vagina.
The inner ring pops up around the cervix, holding the condom in place.
The outer ring stays at the outer edge of the labia.
Female condoms can also be used anally.
You just have to remove the inner ring before insertion.
One cool thing about the female condom is that it can be inserted up to four hours before sex.
The most readily available include theFC2 Female Condomand thePasante.
Both are more expensive than male condoms.
Nor do you have to worry about the condom falling off if you lose your erection part-way through.
If its expired, theres a higher likelihood of breakage.
Dont store them in your wallet.
Theyll get too hot, and can be more likely to break.
This is a step that so many people skip, but it can greatly improve the experience.
It feels much slicker and closer to condom-free sex.
Lube can also prevent condoms from breaking.
Otherwise it can slip off and stay inside your partner.
(If that happens, youll need to discuss taking Plan B and getting tested for STIs.)
Never in the toilet, yo!
