The 8 different types of condoms you need to know about

Leiran Gibson contraception, sexual health, STIs

There’s a perfect condom for everyone out there, you just need to find it

With so many different types of condoms to choose from, there’s no reason not to use one. That goes for all types of sex, not just penis-in-vagina. Condoms make vaginal, oral and anal sex safe, and that includes sex toys too. But which condom to pick? To help you decide, here’s a list of some of the many types you can get hold of (for free!), to help spice up (and suit up) your sex life.

1. Extra lubricated

These are great because they make having sex that little bit more comfortable. If your partner needs a little more lubrication to help you slide in more easily, then these slippery condoms are your best solution. Lube itself is great too. By reducing friction, lube can enhance pleasure and make everything more fun. Just make sure you’re using the right type of lube, which will very likely need to be water-based or silicone-based.

2. Extended performance

If you generally climax sooner than you’d like to, extended performance condoms can help reduce your trigger-happy sensation while having sex. Basically, it means that you can keep thrusting that little bit longer. That said, there can be a lot of pressure (mostly due to unrealistic expectations in porn) on people to ‘last longer’ before ejaculation. Lasting longer doesn’t mean better sex! Good sex is about finding out what you both enjoy, listening to and considering each other, feeling comfortable enough to set boundaries, and having fun!

3. Flavoured

To add a little flavour to your sex life, you can get condoms that smell and taste like different types of food. There are all sorts! Strawberry, mint, chocolate, blueberry, and more. These are particularly for oral sex, to give some flavour to the condom while going down on someone.

4. Ribbed and dotted

Ever tried using a ribbed or a dotted condom? Ribbed and dotted ones are both great fun, because their bumpy design supposedly helps you or your partner experience more pleasure while having penetrative sex.

5. Warming and chilling

If you fancy heating things up in the bedroom, or the super cool feeling of ice whilst having sex, these condoms are lubricated with warming or cooling gels. They’re safely designed to stimulate both you and your partner.

6. Ultra thin

For some people, the feeling of a condom on their penis can throw them off. So these ultra thin ones were created! These condoms make you feel as though you’re not wearing one, whilst protecting you from sexually transmitted infections (STIs).

7. Bigger, smaller or big-headed

Size doesn’t matter at all when it comes to your penis, but condoms are a different story. It’s really important to use ones that actually fit you, otherwise they won’t work properly. That’s why you can buy condoms for longer or smaller penises, and even for penises with bigger heads. Because, just like trousers, you have to keep trying out different sizes until you find the right fit.

8. Extra safe

If you enjoy sex but would like stronger condoms, you can also get extra safe ones that are made slightly thicker. These are less likely to break while having sex, so can reduce any worries you may have.

Once you’ve found the right condoms for you, the next step is making sure you’re using them correctly. Here’s a handy article and video, for you to check.