To have mind-blowing sex, you have to be totally relaxed, which means not stressing out because your man isn't using protection. "You don't want to strip the mystery or spontaneity out of a sexual encounter, but you need to be confident enough to insist that your guy wear a condom," says clinical sexologist Ian Kerner, PhD, author of She Comes First. "Not only will you enjoy sex more because condoms take away a lot of the anxiety about STDs and pregnancy, but you'll 'also be less inhibited with him, which means more fun and pleasure for both of you."
To get your man excited about wearing one, we've rounded up 'all the custom-fit options, textures, and tasty flavors out there, plus the hottest way to roll one on. Next time you whip out a love glove, you'll be a pro at working it to your erotic advantage.
HOW TO GET YOUR MAN TO ACTUALLY WEAR ONE
In a perfect hookup world, your guy would've already ran to the store to pick up condoms without your even asking. But the truth is, most men require a little prodding. "You need to be direct but also mention what's in it for him," says sex therapist Louanne Cole Weston, PhD. "Tell him that you want to be less inhibited in bed, which will get his mind racing. But say that in order for you to enjoy yourself, he'll have to put one on."
Ideally, this convo should take place before you get naked, but if it happens in the heat of the moment, don't hesitate and give him the chance to sway you out of it; switch his focus by kissing him all over his bod and running your hands south of his border. By the time you start rolling one on, he'll already be at full-mast and so deliriously aroused, he won't turn down protected sex. Booty tip: Always have your own condom stash on hand so he can't pull the excuse "I don't have any, and it's too late to go to the store."
HOW TO SEXILY PUT IN ON
With the right moves, you can make the roll-on a sizzling foreplay maneuver. First, make sure the reservoir tip is facing up so you don't put on the condom inside out (if you accidentally do, throw the condom away and use a new one). Then start by gently pinching about half an inch at the top and unrolling the condom down to the base of his shaft, smoothing out any air bubbles as you go along. "Keep massaging his testicles and perineum after the condom is on," says Kerner. You can also add a few drops of lube and give him a couple slick strokes that'll take his mind off wearing a rubber.
What's a Condom Made Of? Condoms come in three materials. Here's what you need to know: LATEX POLYURETHANE NATURAL SKIN (A TYPE OF (A TYPE OF (USUALLY MATERIAL RUBBER) PLASTIC) LAMBSKIN) PROS The safest, most Plastic is Natural membrane [thumbs up] readily available thinner and less condoms offer and least expen- constricting more sensitivity sive material than latex (try than latex or the Trojan polyurethane. Supra). CONS One to six They're not as They are effec- [thumbs down] percent of the widely tive in preven- population is available. ting pregnancy, allergic to Studies have but they do not latex, according found that they protect against to the Centers break and slip STDs. They're for Disease more often than also more Control and latex condoms expensive than Prevention. (through the latex. incidence is still low). The Hottest Shapes and styles Pick one of these prophylactics for maximum pleasure. WHAT IT IS WHAT IT DOES BRANDS TO TRY * TEXTURED Additional texture stimulates Trojan Her Pleasure (Ribbed/ nerve endings in the vaginal Lifestyles Studded Nubbed/ walls for your gratification. Studded) (However, some women say they can't feel a difference.) POUCHED Pouched condoms have "pockets" Inspiral on the sides or near the tip. These condoms are designed to Pleasure Plus be looser fitting in the areas Trojan Twisted that cover the nerve endings of Pleasure the penis, increasing friction and sensitivity for him. ULTRATHIN The thinner the latex, the more Crown sensation you'll both feel. Kimono Microthin There's no evidence to suggest these thinner condoms are any likelier to break if used as directed. COLORED, These condoms are a great way Condom Candy FLAVORED, to add playfulness and ease flavored condoms (such GLOW-IN- some of the tension, which as watermelon, straw- THE-DARK leads to hotter sex. berry, and bubble gum) * ANY CONDOM LABELED "FOR NOVELTY USE ONLY" IS NOT FDA APPROVED AND, THUS, DOES NOT OFFER PROTECTION OF ANY KIND. SOURCE: ADAM GLICKMAN, CEO OF CONDOMANIA.COM
Trick Guys Love ... but Most Girls Don't Know Use these sexy moves to get Mr. Mojo rising and he'll be begging to put on a jimmy. WHY HE'LL LOVE IT THE TRICK HOW TO DO IT (AND YOU WILL TOO) CREATE A Surprise him with The warming agent WARMING the Shared Pleasure creates a sexy new TREND condom, which has a sensation for both warming agent built of you. into the lubricant. GIVE HIM A Put a drop of water- It increases sensi- JIFFY LUBE based lube inside tivity for him, the tip (or dome) of making it feel more the condom. (Oil- like he's not based lube causes wearing a condom. latex to break down.) SAVE If you want to It will be a yummier ROOM FOR pleasure him orally pre-sex prelude for DESSERT first, put a condom you. Just be sure he on his member, then puts on a new condom add a topping like before sex or it's a chocolate sauce or yeast infection whipped cream to waiting to happen. avoid the rubbery taste. GET BUZZZZED Try the vibrating These vibrations condom ring, which increase his sensa- fits around the base tion while the tiny of the penis (over buzzing motor is the condom) and strategically placed emits good to ring your vibrations. doorbell.
READ BEFORE YOU ROMP
It is okay to keep a condom in your handbag or pocket for a few days, but don't leave it there long. And make sure your boyfriend doesn't stash his lucky love gloves in his wallet for more than a few days either, because they could be damaged by extreme heat. It's best to store condoms in a cool, dry place, at room temperature (like in your nightstand).
Keep in mind that condoms do expire, so make sure to check the expiration date on the box or individual package. Expiration dates are often marked as EXP. If the date has passed, throw them out.
CONDOM TROUBLESHOOTING
Here, some strategies for banishing common condom conundrums:
IF ONE OF YOU IS ALLERGIC TO LATEX ...
If reactions such as itching, irritation, and burning occur, try polyurethane or natural skin, and avoid condoms with spermicide, especially nonoxynol-9, which can cause irritation even if you aren't allergic.
IF CONDOMS MAKE HIM LOSE HIS ERECTION ...
In addition to larger or thinner condoms, he can try a cock ring (placed at the base of the shaft and around his testicles), which keeps the blood supply from draining from the penis. For more info, go to www.babeland.eom or www.goodvibes.eom.
IF HE EJACULATES TOO SOON ...
If your guy is more of an Olympic-level sprinter than a marathon man, try Trojan Extended Pleasure condoms, which are lubricated with a slight numbing agent called Benzocaine that may keep him in the race longer.
IF THE RUBBER BREAKS OR SLIPS OFF ...
Wash yourself well, and see a doctor ASAP to be tested for STDs. If you're not on the Pill (or another form of birth control), a doctor can prescribe the morning-after pill. For providers in your area, call 888-NOT-2-LATE.
SOURCE: CLINICAL SEXOLOGIST IAN KERNER, PHD
Condom 101 They say good things come in threes, and it's true of the makeup of the condom. PART FUNCTION THE At the open end is RING a hard rubber ring that helps keep the condom from failing off. THE On the opposite TIP end from the ring is the tip, which acts as a reservoir for ejaculate. THE In between is the SHEATH sheath, which covers the shaft.
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