Is it off-putting to write condoms in sex scenes?

[JohnSm123]

For some reason, I have almost always found condoms sexy. Sometimes I feel I find them even sexier than unprotected sex. However, I'm aware most people disagree, hence why most sex stories have no condoms.

Would readers here be put off if I included them in my scenes? Could that element ruin an otherwise good story?

 

[KeithD]

For some, yes, to an unknown proportion of readers. For some, no, to an unknown proportion of readers. There is no meaningful answer to this question.

 

[BlueEyes1969]

No. Safety is still an issue . . . .As long as the sex is graphic, who cares?

 

[yowser]

Probably most of us are going to say: it depends. Depends on the story, depends on whether their mention or inclusion allows for insight into one or more of the characters, affects the way the sexual events transpire. If condoms help move the story along, by all means use them.

 

[onehitwanda]

How long is a condom piece of string?

Some will hate it. Some won't mind. It's a dash of realism, isn't it?

 

[NotWise]

I've includeded condoms in quite a few stories, but usually without making a deal out of it. No-one's complained. YMMV, especially if you make a fetish out of them.

 

[JohnSm123]

If condoms help move the story along.

Elaborate.

 

[John_Vandermeer]

I have done it twice. But in both cases it was part of the point of the scenes.

In one it was a FMC having intercourse with minor male character, meant to underline she was not on any contraceptive. When she has intercourse with the MMC the next chapter, the reader knows it is with pregnancy risk (in an incestuous story).

In the other a FMC gives a MMC a pity handjob. But while she does so she has this "I am not getting my hands, or anything else, dirty with your junk or geez" attitude. Thus the MMC gets a handjob, but is humiliated by the proceedings.

 

[SimonDoom]

There's no universal answer. Some may find condoms sexy. Probably most won't. And some may judge you if your characters don't take precautions.

 

[yowser]

Elaborate.

Does the mention or inclusion of condoms matter to the story you are telling? Can you tell the story without them? Does their presence tell the reader something about the character(s)? We don't know enough about the story you are telling to give better advice, perhaps.

 

[YDB95]

I've been criticized for mentioning condoms in some stories, and for not mentioning them in others. Can't please everyone so you've got to please yourself.

 

[Djmac1031]

I've used condoms, several times in fact.

No, wait, we're talking about WRITING. My bad.

I've written condoms into stories several times.

Most notably Jenna in my series insists on them as she doesn't want to get pregnant young.

Never had a complaint about it.

 

[lc69hunter]

Especially in the Loving Wives genre, they sometimes play a critical part of the story, as in violation of the established rules between her and her husband, she decides to take her lover bare, and the thrill she gets by doing so, and maybe bringing her husband home a creampie.

Also in the Pregnancy risk category, a subset of the Loving Wives genre

 

[12oclocktales]

You say you find them sexy yourself (which I assume is different from being practical). If a character explains why they think they're sexy, it might alter the reader from just thinking in a practical way as well.

 

[OverconfidentSarcasm]

Would readers here be put off if I included them in my scenes? Could that element ruin an otherwise good story?

In my last story, I had a female character consistently demand the use of condoms, despite being on birth control, for no other reason than to make absolutely sure she would not get pregnant (was still in college, didn't want to risk anything. I just thought it made sense for this character based on how I had written her until then).

In 137 comments, nobody gave a shit. Not one reader had an issue with it. Nobody commented on it.
But I also didn't make a big deal out of it, so... no idea what you're planning.

 

[MrPixel]

I made condoms fun in a soon-to-be-published installment in a GS serial. FMC needed to be off her usual method due to a medical condition, but tweaked her primary lover (MMC) by ordering custom condoms with his name printed on them. Situation came up where her secondary lover (again, GS story) was to have sex with her, "I hope you don't mind that Steve's name is on them." All this is transacted in their group setting, so plenty of opportunity for humorous banter among intimate friends.

 

[Rob_Royale]

I find unprotected sex incredibly boner-inducing, so I don't do birth control in my stories. I've never had a commenter mention it either way.

 

[djrip]

You say you find them sexy yourself (which I assume is different from being practical). If a character explains why they think they're sexy, it might alter the reader from just thinking in a practical way as well.

I would probably like it better it there was a fetish around it than if the characters were just being sensible.

 

[Trionyx]

I definitely do not mention them in my lesbian sex stories...
Which brings up another issue: What about oral/dental dams in lesbian stories? Does anyone mention them?

 

[pink_silk_glove]

Condoms off-putting? No, you put them on.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I definitely do not mention them in my lesbian sex stories...

Condoms aren't just for penises, mind...

Which brings up another issue: What about oral/dental dams in lesbian stories? Does anyone mention them?

Sometimes. In "Counting To Eleven", the supply of dams turns out to be past its use-by date, so they have to improvise by cutting up a glove.

In "Anjali's Red Scarf", Sarah holds off on oral for their first time together:

I knew what I really wanted, but that would have to wait a little while. When we'd talked about her boundaries, one thing both she and I had agreed on was safe-sex rules for her hypothetical gentleman. Now that I'd stepped in to fill that position, the devil on my shoulder was whispering about how unnecessary those rules were.

It would no doubt have been easy enough to talk her into an exception - "it's me, you've known me for years!" But I knew I'd never forgive myself if I did pressure her to break those rules, while she was so unable to stand up to me. Never mind; there'd be another time.

Later on they talk about options and Anjali thinks it over for a couple of days before agreeing to a testing-and-exclusivity approach instead, so they never end up using dams together but the discussion is had.

 

[mirafrida]

In general some readers seem to prefer the sexual mechanics to be idealized / fantastical / stylistic, and others prefer realistic / gritty / grounded (with infinite gradations in-between). I'd imagine that wherever your story falls on this broader question, that would go a long way toward informing whether condoms, in particular, are a welcome or distracting detail.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

How long is a condom piece of string?

Some will hate it. Some won't mind. It's a dash of realism, isn't it?

Way to short-condom-shame some of us.



I resent your condomnation.

 

[Emilymcplugger]

For some reason, I have almost always found condoms sexy. Sometimes I feel I find them even sexier than unprotected sex. However, I'm aware most people disagree, hence why most sex stories have no condoms.

Would readers here be put off if I included them in my scenes? Could that element ruin an otherwise good story?

Actually, usually I don’t but it would certainly add a dash of realism to my next story which is erotic horror/mind control/non-consent/sci-fi.

Thanks for that.

 

[onehitwanda]

Way to short-condom-shame some of us.



I resent your condomnation.

erotic horror/mind control/non-consent/sci-fi.

But enough about me!