7 best condoms

When used correctly, condoms are designed to completely cover the penis, and contain any ejaculatory fluids before and after orgasm. Thus, condoms can protect the user from the transferral of many sexually transmitted diseases by up to 95%. Additionally, if used correctly, condoms will help prevent unwanted pregnancies.

The condom industry has been around for some time now, and you can rest assured that much time and money has been put into the design and manufacture of these little guys. Most condoms are made of natural rubber latex, and are engineered to fit easily on the penis and stay there without breaking during vaginal or anal intercourse.

The market has also been flooded recently with a range of new products designed to specifically help all parties enjoy safe sex. Lubes have grown in popularity, especially the water-based kind, as they successfully mimic the texture and feeling of natural body fluids.

But with all this pleasure on the shelves, one can get easily confused. Thousands of condom brands now exist, all claiming to be the ultimate in safe sex pleasure. So how does one choose the best? Through extensive hands on research, I have managed to narrow the field down to seven condoms, which in my humble opinion stand out in the crowd. This information has been gathered to show that safe sex can still be great sex.

7: Preventor Dotted

Like many of its cousins, the Preventor Dotted is a very thin condom, but what makes it special is its dotted feature. Small round ridges can be found over the entire outer surface of the condom, designed for one purpose – to increase pleasure during intercourse. These ridges provide extreme stimulation of the vaginal tract or rectum thanks to increased friction during intercourse.

6: Preventor Tutti Fruit

Gimmicks are a big part of the condom market, and where more so than with the flavoured condom. Flavoured condoms have been around for sometime, and are often overlooked as possible tools of pleasure. Oral sex is a daunting task for some, and a condom can remove the need for the dreaded ‘spit or swallow’ question. Tutti Fruit condoms can help with this by adding a little flavour to oral sex, and they come in strawberry, banana or coconut.

5: Trojan Extended Pleasure

This condom features an innovation that will appeal to those men who are more speedily inclined. This latex condom comes based in clear, odourless lubricant with an additive designed to slightly numb the penis, preventing premature ejaculation and promoting longer bouts of intercourse. The condom also features a reservoir end designed to contain ejaculate, promoting safer sex.

4: Trojan Twisted Pleasure

This condom comes with a very different design. It has been moulded with a special twist starting at the middle of the condom and ending at its tip. This patented twist allows for a small amount of space between the condom and the penis, and during penetration creates extra friction for both partners through the free movement of the latex material. This condom comes with Trojan’s unique reservoir tip

3: Durex Extra Safe

This condom comes with a very different design. It has been moulded with a special twist starting at the middle of the condom and ending at its tip. This patented twist allows for a small amount of space between the condom and the penis, and during penetration creates extra friction for both partner's through the free movement of the latex material. This condom comes with Trojan’s unique reservoir tip This condom’s unique design, comfort and safety have made it one of the most popular contraceptive items used across the world today. The condom is designed with a slightly larger tip, giving extra space for the head of the penis, which is generally larger in circumference than its shaft. So, putting the Extra Safe on is easier, and more comfortable. This latex condom is also thicker than usual, and though it may lesson sensation, it does mean close to 100% safe sex when used correctly.

2: Durex Ribbed

The Durex Ribbed is the original and most popular latex ribbed condom. It comes equipped with small ridges around its circumference that have been designed to put back the friction that condoms take away from penetration. Durex ribbed condoms are also feather-light condoms, and promote greater sensation for a male user. This condom has not become one of the most widely used condoms in the world for nothing. Extensive research and design has resulted in this excellent condom, designed to not only prevent STDs and pregnancies, but increase the pleasure of sex for both partners. This condom also comes with a teat at its tip.

1: Pleasure Plus

The Pleasure Plus is the ultimate in latex condom design. It is an innovation in the industry that has not yet been matched. The loss of physical stimulation is the primary reason men don’t like using condoms, but the Pleasure Plus puts an end to this problem. It has been designed with a large, loose pouch of excess ribbed latex, positioned at the underside and head of the condom.

During penetration, this extra sack of latex slides back and forth against the underside of the penis, and against the vaginal wall. This friction helps to restore some of the stimulation lost with condom use, and is why the Pleasure Plus is rated the number one condom in the world according to an independent study, with 89% of both men and women choosing the Pleasure Plus over anything else.

Conclusion
And there you have it. Of course, these ratings may not apply to everyone. As they say, different strokes for different folks. But it won’t be difficult for you to find a condom that suites you and your partners needs. This will of course, require extensive research and testing, but who’s complaining?

All of these condoms can be found in pharmacies across the country, and should become a non-debatable part of every sexually active couple’s lives if they wish to enjoy safe and pleasurable sex.

Now that you've got them, learn how to use them. Click for our interactive guides on how to use a male condom , or female condom.

 (Health24, April 2011)