Studded texture for extreme pleasure. Cola/cherry/banana flavored. Spiral tipped. Climax control lubricant. What does all this jargon mean?
A condom by any other name may not smell as sweet-figuratively and literally.
To the untrained eye, the condom counter at the local drugstore can be overwhelming, since condoms are offered in a multitude of shapes, sizes, textures, materials and even flavors. But if you come armed with a war chest of condom sense, a safer sex tool can become a pleasure maximizer.
Oral sex is no party when there are sexually transmitted diseases in the house. Effective in significantly reducing the risk of most STDs, condoms are necessary for maintaining health while engaging in oral sex.
Fortunately, flavored condoms eliminate the need to suffer through the not-so-fortunate taste of plain latex condoms while being just as effective in protecting against infection.
These condoms are coated in a layer of flavored lubricant on the outside and are most often accompanied by a corresponding scent and color, offering a multisensory experience.
Available in a wide variety of flavors ranging from fruity assortments to chocolate, cola and even mint, there is sure to be a flavor to satisfy even the most discriminating palates.
There is new hope for those who have trouble "going the distance" during sex. The desensitizing condom is made of latex and boasts a coating of special lubricant on the inside that contains benzocaine-the same stuff that is put in antiseptic ointment to numb cuts and scrapes.
The lubricant helps to stall the male climax, making sex longer-lasting for those partners who are used to being left unfulfilled.
While these condoms may seem like a godsend for pre-ejaculators everywhere, you should note a few minor-but of course serious-cautions: Warnings on some packages advise against eye contact and draw attention to the possibility of burning or itching for both partners. Keep the condoms out of your eyes and be sure to wash off the lubricant after sexual activity.
It is also important for men to remember that if the desensitizing condom fails to prevent pre-ejaculation, a more serious medical issue could be the cause.
Though the non-lubricated condom may be great blown up and used as a party decoration, it provides a relatively no-frills approach to sex. With this condom, what you see is certainly what you get-there are likely to be no surprises concealed in that little square wrapper.
To alleviate any friction-related discomfort during intercourse, it may be necessary to use extra lubricant, which can either be added to the condom itself or to the vagina or anus (water-based only-oil-based will damage and break the latex.)
The lack of lubrication does make this condom ideal for oral sex, but it can also be paired with a flavored lubricant to make things a little tastier.
Let's face it-there's a reason why abstinence is the only 100 percent fool-proof method of protecting against pregnancy-sometimes condoms tear, sometimes they break and sometimes they slip when they are removed. Any one of these errors could introduce semen into the vagina, possibly leading to unplanned pregnancy.
Condoms with spermicidal lubricant aim to add a little protection against the possibility of pregnancy. The condom is lubricated with the sperm-killing agent Nonoxynol-9.
But beware-there is little to no evidence supporting the fact that spermicidal lubricated condoms are any more effective than regular condoms at protecting against pregnancy.
Once upon a time, researchers thought that Nonoxynol-9 would also provide added protection against STDs, including HIV-but it doesn't.
The addition of spermicide makes no difference in this condom when it comes to the transfer of disease, but it is still an infinitely better option than using no condom at all. Almost every variety of condom is available with spermicidal lubricant, so the reassurance of extra protection is nearly always a choice.
The female condom doesn't look like your average prophylactic. Made of thin polyurethane rather than latex, the female condom is a long tube that has a large circular ring on both ends.
When the condom is inserted into the vagina, one ring stays inside to keep the condom secure and the other one rests outside the vagina. The upside of using this condom is that it can be inserted up to 8 hours before sex, meaning that a bit of forward thinking could eliminate the annoyance of halting the heat of the moment to put on a condom.
The polyurethane, thinner than latex, is said to give this condom a natural feel. However, in this case, the joy of nature might cost you the security of pregnancy prevention.
The female condom is significantly less effective in protecting against pregnancy than the male latex condom, though it is still effective in reducing the risk of STDs.
During intercourse, pay attention that the outer ring does not get pushed inside the vagina, and that the penis enters the vagina inside the condom rather than to the side of it.
A spermicide may be used in addition to the female condom, but it should be inserted into the vagina before the condom is inserted.
When your "average Joe" condoms just aren't hitting the spot, so to speak, increased sensation condoms rush in to save the day. Take a regular latex condom, add ribs and studs to its exterior, and you've got the proper equation for explosive sex-that's the idea, at least.
This condom aims to achieve heightened sensation for both partners with its textural irregularities on the plain latex condom.
Variety abounds with this condom-it is sold in a multitude of patterns and textures. Some feature ribbing down the entire length of the condom; some have studs all over the outer surface. Others are a careful combination of both textures.
Since no increased sensation condom is exactly the same, the key is finding one that tickles you in all the right places.
The pleasure shaped condom is something you might have to see to believe. Picture a regular latex condom but blot out the typical reservoir tip that is most commonly found on them.
The special feature of this condom is the tip, which has more latex than normal formed into interesting shapes, among which are a cyclone and a nautilus shell.
A variety of shapes are currently available on the market. However, regardless of the specific shape of the tip, each type of the pleasure shaped condom is designed with the same goal in mind. The extra latex is intended to create heightened friction during intercourse, resulting in the stimulus of nerve endings in the penis and increased sensitivity and sensation for both partners.
For the well-endowed among us, the large latex condom provides a comfy alternative to the regular sized latex condom.
Made wider and longer than the average latex condom, this condom is the perfect choice for those who require or desire some additional space.
The larger size of this condom is intended to provide greater comfort. As different sizes are available, ranging from large to extra large, there is bound to be a fit perfect for any individual.
However, males should avoid shopping for condoms based on false ego-even though using the large latex condom might make you feel better about yourself, it is best to use a condom that fits comfortably and well to ensure maximum effectiveness.