The Ultimate Guide to Condoms!

By Elena Ognivtseva

Condoms are a subject which many of us get acquainted with very early on in our lives due to discussing them at school, reading about them at the local doctor's surgery, and even by spending a giggly afternoon putting them on bananas under the watchful eye of the school nurse. They really are championed as the best and most reliable way of protecting us all from unwanted pregnancies and STIs, and their relative cheapness has made the condoms the go-to form of contraception for teens and adults in the UK.

These days the sex toy and accessories market is so varied that deciding upon just one type of condom to stock up on can be a challenge, and very few condoms 'do it all'. I always suggest that sexually active singles and couples stock up on a few different types not only to keep themselves protected, but also to put a bit of pleasure and humour into the world of condoms. If you must use them (and you must!) then why not have a bit of fun with them too?

Take a look below for some of the most popular types of condoms available on the Peaches and Screams website, and their most appropriate uses….

Extra Fine:

Extra fine (or extra thin) condoms are a favourite of many men as they are the most realistic feeling condoms on the market. The idea with a thin condom is that both parties are able to feel a little more sensation, and are supposed to help him forget that he is wearing a condom at all. My fiancé loves extra fine condoms, but says that you can still tell the condom is there, it's just a little less restrictive. So, as a result these condoms are great for vaginal sex if you want to be as intimate as possible, but they may not hold up so well during anal sex.

Examples: Some great extra thin condoms from the Peaches and Screams website are listed below.

Durex Featherlite

Skins Extra Thin

Extra Safe:

Extra safe condoms generally come in two forms; condoms which are imbued with spermicidal lubricant, and condoms which are a little thicker than usual. The time to use extra safe condoms is when you feel that you need that extra bit of reassurance and confidence; such as with a new partner. Extra safe condoms will also stand up to anal sex much better than standard or thin condoms as they latex is a little bit more robust.

Examples: Some great extra safe condoms from the Peaches and Screams website are listed below.

Durex Extra Safe

EXS Max Protection

Flavoured:

Flavoured condoms are suitable for vaginal and anal sex and can add an extra dimension of fun and enjoyment to blow jobs. Personally I find some flavoured condoms a little too tangy and plastic tasting; however the EXS condoms which I've linked you to below actually taste really good. Especially the blueberry muffin one! Flavoured condoms are a great thing to pop in your suitcase before you jet off on your summer clubbing holiday to protect you during oral sex.

Examples: Some great flavoured condoms from the Peaches and Screams website are listed below.

EXS Flavoured

Dots & Ribs:

Condoms which sport strategically placed dots and ribs can be used for vaginal and anal sex as they tend to be of average thickness, and are designed to increase pleasure for both partners. Personally I love this type of condom; however I have a few friends who say that they can't really tell the different between these and standard condoms. My advice would be to buy a pack and see what you think. Don't knock it until you try it!

Examples: Some great dots and ribs condoms from the Peaches and Screams website are listed below.

Skins Dots & Ribs

Extra Large:

Extra-large condoms do exactly what they say on the tin! For the larger man it can be difficult and uncomfortable to wear standard sized condoms, so a pack of extra-large ones may well be a godsend! Just make sure that you really do need them as baggy condoms can easily come off and lead to all sorts of stressful problems.

Examples: Some great extra-large condoms from the Peaches and Screams website are listed below.

Skins Extra Large

Non-latex:

If you have a latex allergy it is best to steer clear of using standard condoms for any type of sex and to swap to these Pasante Unique Non Latex condoms. How do you know if you've got an allergy? Well if you are prone to rashes following sex, feel lightheaded, dizzy or feel like you're suffering from a cold then you may well have an allergy. It's always best to check any symptoms with your GP so that you can get an accurate diagnosis.

Examples: Some great extra non-latex from the Peaches and Screams website are listed below.