Condoms with performance claims - any opinions?

[Kwiregirl]

DH and I are back to using condoms - he says that he is OK with them but he keeps on buying so many different ones I think he is searching for something better than we have tried. Personally I enjoy the delay ones because - well I like it to last longer but in the last month he has not cum and stopped declaring that the numbing is too much. We have tried Durex ribs and dots - no difference (are they just a novelty? - do other brands work better?). DH suggests that we try the purple pack Durex Intense ones that have some sort of warming and cooling gel on them. We once tried a cooling lube - not for me - it felt that I had put mouthwash down there. Are these Durex the same?
Are these condoms with claims just novelties that couples try once and go back to ordinary (cheaper) or is there something we are missing?

---

If you've found this page in search of condoms that have been tried and tested by fellow Mumsnet users, you might find our guide to the best condoms useful. Hope this helps! MNHQ

I have yet to find a condom that results in sensation anything like sex without. There is a barrier and the nature of the material and sticky lubricant disrupts normal thrusting. Thinner ones can actually be worse because they bunch up and are even more uncomfortable. So I would agree the wide range is just marketing gimmickry. A relatively cheap condom, not overly tight, that doesn't bunch up with plenty of lubricant is about as good as it gets.

Condoms are bollocks.

The best condom is none.

But sexual health is paramount. And hormone based contraception ruins our libido and our health far more than any condom.

Condoms are a woman’s friend.

@lunalulu

Condoms are bollocks.

The best condom is none.

As is this stupid comment!

As is this stupid comment!

If you only have one partner and you don't use condoms as contraception then of course sex is way better without a condom.

I only sleep with one person and vice versa so happily can avoid the unpleasant sensation of a condom.

You are stupid. I just didn't include all the details and was obviously being deliberately provocative. Aka riling the likes of you.

Condoms are necessary if you are going to have multiple partners.

I'd rather have one partner and no condom. That isn't stupid.

While I would agree.that sex without condoms is best, there are often situations where for contraception and sexual health reasons they are a must...not sure if any I have tried claimed to have or seemed to provide performance advantages....depends on what one means by performance I won't name brands but from my experience find one that fits is a must. They do come in different sizes so find the right size for you. Too small in my experience reduces sensation and can be uncomfortable. Too large and, as others say, it can roll up and bunch....equally Not good. Buy a selection and...ahem....try them all out! Some will be useless but hopefully at least one will suit.

@lunalulu - I knew what you meant 🙂
Condoms definitely have their place, however, I didn’t always use them with new partners in the past but I always took oral contraceptives, not responsible, (I know!)

I have used the Durex delay ones, and they work for me.

I have also used the "mutual climax" ones, which I can't comment on if they do what they say, but the ladies I've been fortunate enough to use them with seem to have approved!

But in situations where we used them for contraception, we preferred the Skyns ones, which are really thin.

You need to try Skyns. V good you cant tell they are on.

@lunalulu I feel the need to challenge the statement

"Condoms are necessary if you are going to have multiple partners.

I'd rather have one partner and no condom. That isn't stupid."

GF is currently breast feeding our 8-month-old and will be for some time, hence hormonal methods of contraception aren't really an option for now. Neither of us has more than one partner on the go (for a start, i'm probably too tired for that). What would you suggest we do instead, abstain?

Pumping your body full of false hormones is never a genuine option, all things invented by men to make us compliant. Even condoms are better than that. Try Skyns.