CONDOMS AND THE KINK COMMUNITY

Content Verification

Written by:✓

Tatyana Dyachenko
Psychologist and Relationship Adviser

Medically Reviewed by:✓

Veronika Matutyte
Medical Doctor

Fact Checked by:✓

Katie Lasson
Sex and Relationship Adviser

Kink is an umbrella term for sexual activities that involve fetish, sensation, and power plays. Whichever act you engage in, condoms are necessary. Herein is everything you need to know about condoms and the kink community.

When two people engage in kinky activity, it is known as playing, and the session is referred to as a scene. When BDSM sessions involve contact with body fluids such as semen and vaginal fluids, you may pass on or get an STI. Therefore, it is advisable to use protection such as condoms during penetrative sex, dams, and gloves during fisting play. This article discusses the correlation between condoms and the kink community. Read below to find out.

How Condoms are Important for Kinky Sessions

External and internal condoms are beneficial in preventing STIs that may be passed on during penetrative sex and other sexual activities. For external condoms, they are only effective when used correctly. 

How to use External Condoms

While most people may lack the proper definition of using sex toys perfectly, Ismael & Zangana (2012) explained the following regarding external condoms.

• Use a new condom every time.
• If the wearer cannot maintain his erection with the condom, they should pull out.
• Oil-based lubes and massage oils cause the breaking of latex condoms and should be avoided.
• When putting on the condom, leave 1-2 centimeters for ejaculation.
• Put the condom on before any genital play.
• Keenly check the expiration date.
• Do not use a double bag; two condoms in your sessions.
• Use lube.

Lube is important during kinky sessions because it reduces friction that can cause condoms to tear. Most people lack the knowledge on the right lube compatible with the type of condom they use. Lubes that are best compatible with condoms include;

• Good clean love
• Still lube
• Sliquid sassy
• Uberlube

Internal Condoms

According to Wiyeh et al. (2020), most people do not rely on internal condoms because their efficiency is only up to 95%. Their effectiveness drops by 16% to 79% when used during intimate, kinky sessions. However, this does not mean that internal condoms are not a good option. You can purchase them as long as you consider the following.

• Use a fresh condom each time.
• Check the expiry date.
• If your partner ejaculates in the condom, twist the outer ring before removing it.
• Place it inside the vagina and ensure it feels comfortable before any penetration.
• Decide who is going to use the condom. There is no need to use an internal and external condom.
• If twisted, adjust it.
• Use your fingers to hold it in place before penetration.

Internal condoms are great for people who have latex energy because most brands use polyurethane while manufacturing them. 

How to Use Condoms in Kinky  Plays

People who frequently engage in kinky play are at risk of contracting STIs. This is especially in acts involving the exchange of fluids like penetrative sex and piercing play. So, how can the kink community use condoms to reduce the risk of STI transmission? Read below to find out.

• Open a fresh condom each time you engage in genital play, do not keep any condom to reuse in your next session.
• If you have a limited amount of sex toys and feel the need to share them, use a condom each time you switch.
• Use a new condom each time you shift from anal to vaginal sex and vice versa.

If you and your partner practice monogamy, you can skip the condom part. However, you should both get tested frequently for STIs. People who love anilingus and cunnilingus should use dental dams to reduce the risk of STIs transmitted during these sexual acts.

Condoms Vs. Birth Control

Most people use condoms to avoid making unnecessary trips to the drug stores to purchase the morning pill. Although the IUD coil, implants, and shots are effective, people still prefer condoms. This is because the risk of condoms is low. Ljubojević et al. (2018) showed that a small fraction of the global population is allergic to latex. Luckily, there is a safer alternative for folks with a latex allergy. Some brands have developed non-latex condoms for external use only made from polyethylene, polyurethane, and polyisoprene, which are safe for preventing pregnancy and STIs. External condoms made from animal skin like the Trojan Bareskin only offer protection against pregnancy and not STIs. Some sex health therapists argue that people who have latex allergies need to switch their condom brands because sometimes, their naughty bits may be reacting to the lube used to coat the condoms.

Most people also prefer condoms because they are easy to purchase. No medical cards or a signed note from your doctor is needed. You can also access them in any drug store or supermarket. The availability of condoms makes them the most sought-after form of protection against pregnancy and STIs because it is affordable and is cheaper than IUDs and birth control pills.

Do Condoms Reduce Sexual Pleasure?

Most people in the kink community think that condoms decrease pleasure. However, this is untrue because condoms make sex better and a stress-free experience. Imagine being in the middle of sex, and then your mind gets preoccupied about you contracting STIs or pregnancy. The sex will be less pleasurable, and in extreme cases, it may even be a painful experience. Using a condom puts your mind at ease, and you can focus on your sensations.

The Bottom Line

The kink community engages in sexual and non-sexual acts involving exchanging bodily fluids. For this reason, condoms are great because they offer protection against STI transmission and pregnancy. However, some people are allergic to latex, the main material used to manufacture external condoms, and they may feel the need to ditch condoms and go commando. It is for this reason that manufacturers started stacking shops with nonlatex condoms. If you are a kink lover who has never used condoms, the reasons above should prompt you. 

References

Ismael, A. S., & Zangana, J. M. S. (2012). Knowledge, Attitudes And Practice Of Condom Use Among Males Aged (15-49) Years In Erbil Governorate. Global Journal Of Health Science, 4(4), 27.

Ljubojević Hadžavdić, S., Gojčeta Burnić, S., Hadžavdić, A., Marinović Kulišić, S., & Jurakić Tončić, R. (2018). Erythema Of The Penis After Use Of A Latex Condom-Latex Allergy Or Something Else?. Contact Dermatitis, 78(2), 168-169.Wiyeh, A. B., Mome, R. K., Mahasha, P. W., Kongnyuy, E. J., & Wiysonge, C. S. (2020). Effectiveness Of The Female Condom In Preventing HIV And Sexually Transmitted Infections: A Systematic Review And Meta-Analysis. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 1-17.