A strange factor in condom selections...

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I don't think this is something frequently addressed anywhere, so I really have no clue where else I might find useful information on such a thing...

When I first started going out with my girlfriend, we had no intention of ever doing anything too sexual, but you know how it happens... nature takes over, and you start to experiment together. The two of us fall deeper in love with one another every day, even now, and a few months ago we decided we were ready to have sexual intercourse. It was a great experience for both of us, and we've done it several times since. We've always had sex while using Trojan condoms, but I have one major (though strange) issue with this brand: the wrapper. Yes, believe it or not, the wrapper is turning me away from America's preferred condom. Let me explain: one of the most basic pieces of advice on effective condom use is to be careful not to rip the condom while opening it. I know that it is possible to see the outline of the condom by observing the shape through the wrapper, but I sure would like to actually see it properly. I know I'm probably worrying too much, but that is in my nature. I would just be able to relax a whole lot more during sex if I could have a full view of the opening process, just for that extra piece of reassurance that I have not ripped the condom. I'm sorry if I sound paranoid, but I'm not ready to raise a child, and sex would be far more enjoyable for me if I could reduce the chances of creating a rip that would almost certainly result in failure. What I'm looking for is a condom in a transparent plastic wrapper... I'd look in the pharmacy myself, but since most condoms seem to come in packs of three or more, I cannot see the individual packaging. Basically, all I really need is to know the brand names of some condoms that use transparent plastic wrappers (preferably an entirely transparent one, not just transparent on one side as I have seen in some pictures). Any suggestions are appreciated, as I would very much like to relax more during sex.

Thank you

You're being overly paranoid about this. The condom is rolled into a thick band which is nearly impossible to rip by tearing the wrapper. The only way you are going to rip the condom is if you use a sharp instrument to open the wrapper.

if ur this worried y dosent she get on birth control pills aswell?....that would bring the likelyhood of pregnancy down to zero pretty much if she takes the pill correctly....im not trying to scare you but condoms by themselfs have a failure rate of alot more than im willing to risk

Quote:

3%-14%. In 100 users who use a condom correctly and consistently, the lowest estimated failure rate would be 3 pregnancies in one year. In 100 typical users however, the estimated failure rate is 14 pregnancies in one year.

"http://www.stanford.edu/group/SHPRC/ch6_bar.html"

....with a condome and pill combonation....the risk goes down to pretty much zero...so if at all possible i would recomend her getting on the pill

Thanks for the pointers... unfortunately, the pill is not a realistic option right now, but we do have other precautions we're taking

Mind me asking; but why is the pill not an option? The cost is fairly cheap, and in some areas that's covered too.Problems with religious beliefs? Parental consent?

Originally Posted By: Hawker23Mind me asking; but why is the pill not an option? The cost is fairly cheap, and in some areas that's covered too.Problems with religious beliefs? Parental consent? There's a couple of reasons why the pill is impractical. The parental consent thing is the main factor, since my girlfriend's mother is religious and incredibly closed-minded. She freaks at the thought of us falling asleep in each other's arms, fully clothed (which sucks, because I think that is among the most beautiful things a couple can do). If she ever found out that her the two of us had sex, we'd both be dead. Additionally, this relationship is long-distance, so we really don't have sex often at all. In this case, it's far cheaper to use a condom for those rare instances, rather than paying for a constant pill supply. Neither of us is very well off, financially, so we take what we can get. Does the pill have any hazardous side effects? I've heard conflicting reports on that, some people say it's fine, but I've also read it can lead to cancer.

I can see that for you condoms are the cheapest and most practical option.In its early days there could be some bad side-effects from the pill, but now serious side-effects seem to be extremely rare. With so many women using it, any substantially increased cancer rates would be easily picked up.

Originally Posted By: IneligibleIn its early days there could be some bad side-effects from the pill, but now serious side-effects seem to be extremely rare. With so many women using it, any substantially increased cancer rates would be easily picked up. Thanks, that is good to know. Though I can't use that information now, it certainly could come in handy in the future... once my girlfriend is finally free to live her life as she wants to (like she really should have been doing for years by now), it probably would be far more convenient. I have to admit that condoms are incredibly uncomfortable for me, and given my initial concerns... well, the pill would be my preference, but the two of us will have to discuss it, once the time is right. Thank you for the input. Though we may not need to make this decision for a long while, I will keep what you've told me at the back of my mind, so we can choose what is best for us, rather than what is best for her mother.

If condoms are incredibly uncomfortable for you, could you perhaps be using the wrong size?

Originally Posted By: IneligibleIf condoms are incredibly uncomfortable for you, could you perhaps be using the wrong size? I highly doubt it, I'm not that well endowed. My penis is within average range (I think), but the tightness of the condom was not a major issue. The problem was that while I was thrusting, the latex at the end (in the little pouch for your semen) would somehow end up partially inside my urethra. I presume that I probably did not choose an appropriate amount of extra space at the end of the condom, but whatever the cause, it is very uncomfortable. I also seem to have a psychological thing against condoms, because the first time I used one I could not stay hard for the life of me. I can at least maintain an erection now, but I think I just need a little more practice putting condoms on, until we can find an alternate method of birth control.

Before you have sex can you just have the condom open already (Not out of the package, just the package opened)? This would help in the long run and also perhaps make you feel better when opening the package that you aren't doing so in a hurry and ripping the condom (Which someone else said it high unlikely).

As for the tip of the condom going into your urethra... umm OUCH... and I can honestly say that's the first I have heard of that happening. Perhaps you are leaving to much "slack" at the end of the condom?

Originally Posted By: NtroducingMyselfBefore you have sex can you just have the condom open already (Not out of the package, just the package opened)? This would help in the long run and also perhaps make you feel better when opening the package that you aren't doing so in a hurry and ripping the condom.That is a most excellent idea, thank you I shall be sure to do that from now on.Originally Posted By: NtroducingMyselfAs for the tip of the condom going into your urethra... umm OUCH... and I can honestly say that’s the first I have heard of that happening. Perhaps you are leaving to much "slack" at the end of the condom?Ouch is right... it doesn't go far in, but it's enough to feel rather unpleasant. You could be right on the slack thing, though. Since I live so far from my girlfriend, I've had little opportunity to perfect my condom-applying techniques, and I always have been a little confused about how much extra space to leave. I can't really fix it after we start, since I'd risk tearing the condom on my fingernail while removing it from my urethra, but there have been times where it's become so unpleasant that I've taken out a new condom to replace it. Is it possible that my penis itself could be the problem? Maybe my urethra opens a little further down than it should or something... I mean, it's certainly not completely centered on the head of my penis on the vertical axis. I always thought this was normal urethra positioning, but if I am wrong in that assumption, I certainly see where this problem originates. Should I be trying to line up the slack with my urethra? I always thought I should, but if I wasn't supposed to, that is most likely the problem (wow, I never thought I could ask so many questions about the seemingly simple process of sliding a latex sheath onto my dick, lol).My last thought on the matter is that, when my hand passes downward over the edges of my glans during masturbation, the tugging at the edges in turn causes my urethra to open up slightly more. I'm sure this would also happen during intercourse, although I cannot see to know for sure. I don't think this is an unusual trait either, but again, if it is... it's a very probable source of the discomfort.Now that I look back on what I just typed, I'm thinking it's my positioning of the slack that causes the problem... a problem which I'd very much like to eliminate. But if my dick is deformed, please let me know.

Hmmm some good questions. With condoms I don't leave a lot of slack at the end, pretty much just the little bubble part, which of course you want to make sure has no air in it when you put on the condom so it doesn't pop the condom.Even though you don't get to practice condoms with your girlfriend very often, try using them when you masturbate. This might give you more of an idea on how you need to position the condom or how much slack you need to be comfortable. Also it’ll help you get used to how the condom feels on your penis.

If the pack is open for very long before sex, its going to dry out, and become more likely to break. I realize that a rubber is well rubber, it doenst dry out but everyone has lube or spermacide in it, exposure to air will dry it out and make it more brittle.
Id stick to opening them right before use, its nto a big deal, rip, and stick it on. it takes a few seconds, i used to be able to do it in the dark in the back ofa car, its not that complicated. I dont recall any ever breaking onme by putting them on or opening them.

Oh dear... with all this to think about, it's almost a relief that I almost never get to have sex, lol. Still, thanks for everyone's input on all my questions. I really do appreciate it, and hope that soon I might use this advice to properly perfect the art of condom usage.

The urethra opening is usually right on the tip, but it can, more rarely, be further down, and perhaps that's the situation for you. If it's further down so much that it opens in the shaft it's called hypospadias and it usually surgically corrected, but a small displacement would be let be.

Originally Posted By: IneligibleThe urethra opening is usually right on the tip, but it can, more rarely, be further down, and perhaps that's the situation for you. If it's further down so much that it opens in the shaft it's called hypospadias and it usually surgically corrected, but a small displacement would be let be. My urethra is a little further down... like, the top of my urethra begins right at the tip of my penis and extends downward from there. It isn't dead center, but it certainly doesn't reach the shaft, either, and everything functions as expected. Should I place the condom differently because of this?

Hmm, I'm not sure.

I don't think you have much of a choice on how you are going to put on the condom. Even if your urethra was on the top, side or bottom, the condom is going to go on the same.

Originally Posted By: sdpI don't think you have much of a choice on how you are going to put on the condom. Even if your urethra was on the top, side or bottom, the condom is going to go on the same. Thanks... my ejaculation wouldn't be likely to burst the condom if it did not fire directly into the slack/bubble? That's what I was always worried about.