Selecting Condoms

[IrishWolfhound]

As those who know me, or read the only other thread I started, know, I am in the process of divorcing my wife after many years of marriage.

So, for the first time since like 1975 I am looking at the possibility (probably quite remote) of dating. And with that comes the possibility (even more remote) of sex.

Let me set the scene for you youngsters. In 1975, if you had a committed relationship with a woman taking the pill, your worries were over. Herpes had not yet reared it's ugly head. HIV was not even imagined. If you married that woman, which I did, and she stayed on the pill, which she did, and you remained sexually faithful, which I did, condom knowledge was as useful as learning sanskrit. Perhaps interesting, but not very applicable to your daily life.

So here I am. A virtual STD target, walking the streets, totally unprepared.

A little advice from both sides of the gender line would be greatly appreciated.

What features should I be looking for? What provides the best protection? What gives the greatest pleasure for the lady? What will give the best sensitivity for me?

And why am I even thinking of this? Why dont I just join some celibate religious order?

Ahhh, for the good old days when all that happened was a case of clap or syph, you got your shots & got well.

 

[Georgia Girl]

So, for the first time since like 1975 I am looking at the possibility (probably quite remote) of dating. And with that comes the possibility (even more remote) of sex.

You mean you didn't mean it? Well just damn and I was all ready for you and everything.









Honestly, I hate the damn things so I have no clue, I do know that there are some of us females <raising hand> with allergies to latex so you need to be prepared for that as well. A good question for the lady in question that can be posed innocently and not give a clue as to your actual direction with it is to ask if she donates blood, that will give you some information.

Dawn

 

[IrishWolfhound]

Re: Re: Selecting Condoms

You mean you didn't mean it? Well just damn and I was all ready for you and everything.

Dawn

Dawn, I meant every damn word you sexy creature. I just figured you were leading me on, in that typical southern gal fashion.

Thanks for the latex observation. I'll keep that in mind.

 

[Georgia Girl]

Re: Re: Re: Selecting Condoms

Dawn, I meant every damn word you sexy creature. I just figured you were leading me on, in that typical southern gal fashion.

The only way I would lead a man on would be to grab him by the cock and lead him to where I wanted him to fuck me.

Dawn

 

[Lovepotion69]

Just try them all!

Just do what every other man does : try different sorts and you'll find one that suits you. The packages keep claiming ribbed are good for the woman, I saw it's a scam, feel nada. LOL

I doubt the "do you donate blood" thing works all the time. How many women is out there who are fine but don't donate blood? Majority I'd say. Stick to condoms, if you're gonna be with her more often, go together for a test. (Well,that's how it SHOULD be done, but we all know it doesn't necessarily happen that way...ehm...)

 

[IrishWolfhound]

Hot damn! (checking flight schedule to Atlanta)

 

[CelestialBody]

 

[IrishWolfhound]

Re: Just try them all!

Just do what every other man does : try different sorts and you'll find one that suits you. The packages keep claiming ribbed are good for the woman, I saw it's a scam, feel nada. LOL

I doubt the "do you donate blood" thing works all the time. How many women is out there who are fine but don't donate blood? Majority I'd say. Stick to condoms, if you're gonna be with her more often, go together for a test. (Well,that's how it SHOULD be done, but we all know it doesn't necessarily happen that way...ehm...)

Love...I suspect the blood donation idea was latex related. And thanks for responding. So "ribbed for pleasure is a scam, huh? And I figured I'd use those inside out.

 

[Georgia Girl]

Hot damn! (checking flight schedule to Atlanta)

Let me know which flight and I'll pick you up and lead you on.

Dawn

 

[Cirrus]

I hate the damn things, personally. When the guy I've been with has used them, it just feels, I dunno...wrong somehow. In some situations, however, I realize they are a necessary evil. For when a condom is called for, I have my own stash. I don't like "normal" condoms, I prefer the extra sensitive (slightly thinner) or ribbed ones. The ribbed to me, don't necessarily feel better, just a little different. Makes for variety, I guess.

If your lady has a latex allergy, have her get tested and look into another method of birth control if she's going to be a regular partner. Lamb skin and polyurethane condoms aren't proven to protect agains STDs yet.

 

[Georgia Girl]

Actually no, the blood donation was not latex related. When you donate they ask multiple questions regarding your sex life and lifestyle in general, if your answers are not to standard you are not allowed to donate. Once you donate the blood is tested, if you fail you are notified.

Yes there are many out there who do not donate blood but there are also many who do, this question can be used to ease some initial questions.

Dawn

 

[naudiz]

I like condoms. My motto is: no glove, no love.

Try a variety. You might find one you like, or they might all seem the same to you. My only caveat is from personal experience: find out before the magic moment whether or not you're allergic to nonoxynol-9. It's a spermacide that is put in the lubrication of some condoms. Before it ever becomes a question of whether or not you're going to get some, get a condom with nonoxynol-9 (it should say on the package), rub some of the lubrication on your wrist and see if you have a reaction. I know it doesn't sound very suave, but believe me, if you are allergic to it, you really want to find out before you slip that thing somewhere more sensitive.

I'm not allergic to it, but I dated a guy who was. That story took years to become funny to me, and he still doesn't laugh about it.

So there's my advice. That and a dollar will get you a cup of coffee.

 

[sabbathstorm]

I have two favorite kinds of condoms: one is made by Kimono and has a texture to it (not ribbed) that feels wonderful while the other one is flavored (mint). Both of them I picked up at a little sex shop for a reasonable price. The mint ones are great as they leave no aftertaste or spermicidal smell.

 

[Lovepotion69]

I have two favorite kinds of condoms: one is made by Kimono and has a texture to it (not ribbed) that feels wonderful while the other one is flavored (mint). Both of them I picked up at a little sex shop for a reasonable price. The mint ones are great as they leave no aftertaste or spermicidal smell.

Mint is always good (chocolate, candy, condoms etc). The only flavoured condoms I've like have been mint/spearmint but the guy complained the spearmint one burnt his pecker...LOL

 

[Cirrus]

If there's anything I hate more than a condom it's giving head to a guy who's wearing one. YUCKY!!!

 

[sabbathstorm]

Mint is always good (chocolate, candy, condoms etc). The only flavoured condoms I've like have been mint/spearmint but the guy complained the spearmint one burnt his pecker...LOL

LOL well I've never had my partner complain about the mint ones. Both of us like the after affects...nice and tingly cool

 

[LadyDarkFire]

When buying protection, your best bet is to look for Latex in a male condom, with nonoxynol-9. These offer the best protection against pregnancy, and there are signs that n-9 might help reduce your risk of contracting HIV if there is something wrong with the condom itself. If you do find that you are with a woman who is allergic to latex, your best bet is to go with a female condom, which works nearly as well as a male condom, and is made out of something other than Latex. Best bet? Make sure to remember the COMMITTED relationship is one of the better ways to prevent STDs. Know your partners, and get tested with them. You can hate needles, you can hate the other exams, but it is still one of the best ways to find out. Knowledge is power, the more you know about a disease, the better you can protect against it. Make sure you have been to the doctors within the last 6 months, and check with your doc about the Hepititis vaccine. Another thing that is strongly recommended is right now, get an STD test, and 6 months from now, get another one. This establishes a clean bill of health, which is something possible lovers will be reassured about. One of the better combinations is to find a woman on the pill, and use condoms every time. You don't run as big a risk of pregnancy, and if you use a condom correctly, every time, you will greatly reduce your chance of contracting any STD.

 

[badasschick]

Being such a safety girl I KNOW my condoms.

As far as quality goes and failure rate, Trojans rank near the bottom.

There are 4 types of Condoms out there.

Straight

Tapered

Larger Head

Contoured

The straight style of condom is just that cylindrical and having the same diameter all the way through.

A tapered Condom is larger at the top and narrows down the shaft. Contrary to popular belief...these are the largest type of condoms, and they provide more comfort and have less chance of breakage.

A larger head condom, is shaped like a light bulb at the top and a straight shaft. These are the ones packaged as the "Large" condoms such as the Magnum, but truly aren't when compared to tapered condoms. Larger head condoms have a better chance at breaking because the shape doesn't allow the lubrication to distribute evenly.

The contured condom, is shaped like an hourglass, and has a snug fit in the middle. It provides heightened sensitivity, and heat transferrence, because the fit is snug. These are usually packaged as the extra sensitive or "thin" brands of condoms. Although the thickness of the latex really has nothing to do with sensitivity, just a marketing ploy by condom makers. Contoured condoms also come in a variety of shapes from corkscrew, to pleasure pouches, but still fall into the wide-narrow-wide profile.

As far as brands go. You want to choose a high quality latex. It should be pretty sheer in translucence, as an indicator of fewer impurities in the latex, and have a "golden" tint to them. Colored condoms are safe but, the pigments cause the condom to break down more rapidly so they won't have as long a shelf life as a regular condom.

Mayer labs makes the Kimono line of condoms, which are quite good.

Also recommended.

Okimoto labs Beyond Seven

Sagami, vis-a-vis and Excalibur

Durex/London rubber company, they have quite a variety of shapes and colors to choose from and use very good rubber stock. Can be found at any drug/supermarket.

Ansell/Lifestyles, many varieties and shapes. The company has a crack staff of quality control experts.


Do not use novelty condoms such as the glow in the dark condoms, these have not been tested for use and the phosphorescent element will cause a nasty rash.

If you or your partner have an allergy to latex there are also polyurethane condoms. Upside. they are well lubricated and are tapered in shape. Downside. They don't have give like a latex condom.

Both Durex and Trojan/Carter make Poly condoms.

I realize I'm bouncing around here.

Textures...there's ribbed, studded, ribbed and studded, inside for his pleasure, outside for hers...do what you like.

Lube....There's not enough space here for me to go on about lube, but dude its a lifejacket for your lifejacket, and can come in water or sillicone based formulas. (sillicone based is hypoallergenic) Do NOT use, oil based lubricants with latex condoms, they will make the condoms break down very rapidly. I have a really neat trick I used to do with a rubber glove and a tub of margerine.

And don't have a fit about size. The last guy who complained about the size got a special show of me opening said condom and putting it over my head, and then he was promptly dismissed from my bedroom. I used to do this for the kids I gave talks to.

I've gone on long enough but if you have questions you can PM me.

 

[badasschick]

Oh yeah, also when using the condom, please pinch the recepticle tip as you roll it on. Trapped air is the main culprit in condom breakage.

 

[CelestialBody]

The