When used properly, condoms can provide a highly effective way to protect yourself and your partner(s) from sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and prevent pregnancy. Condoms are for single use only and you must use a new condom for each sexual act involving penetration. In addition to being an important part of practicing safer sex, condoms are a great way to help prolong the life of your sex toys - and they make cleanup a breeze!
How to Choose
Choosing the best condom for you usually involves some trial and error. While most of our condoms are sold in boxes of larger quantities, many are also available in bulk, so our first recommendation in finding the condom that fits you best is to buy a condom sampler and experiment. Our nifty condom sampler is a great way to get started!
Most people think of the best condom as being the one that is least noticeable. That's one way to think of it, and if you’re looking for the condom that gets in the way the least, you’ll need to find the condom that fits the best. While thin condoms can be great, even the thinnest one, if it doesn't fit right, will be more noticeable than a thicker condom that fits well.
Size
In terms of sizing, every company uses a slightly different kind of latex, and they each fit just a little bit differently. There are three general size categories for condoms. There are snugger fitting condoms (like Okamoto Beyond Seven). There are condoms designed for most people, who are in the middle size range (like Kimono Microthin and LifeStyles). Finally, there are larger sized condoms (like Kimono Microthin XL & LifeStyles Large).
Style
There are two overarching styles of condom currently available at Come As You Are: the condom (also known as the “male condom”) and the internal condom (also known as the “female condom” or FC2).
Material
Condoms are available in latex and non-latex materials. We offer non-latex condoms, like LifesStyles Skyn and internal condoms for people with latex allergies. The internal condoms we stock are made of nitrile, which is a non-latex material.
- Latex: Compatible with water-based and silicone-based lubricants. Not compatible with oil-based lubes.
- Nitrile: Compatible with water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based lubes.
- Polyisoprene: Compatible with water-based and silicone-based lubricants. Not compatible with oil-based lubes.
- Polyurethane: Compatible with water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based lubes.
- Lambskin: Compatible with water-based, silicone-based, and oil-based lubes. Do note that lambskin condoms can help to protect against pregnancy, but do NOT provide protection against HIV or any STI.
How to Use a Condom
Safer Sex
If you're using condoms for contraception, it is recommended that you consider using a second form of contraception along with condoms. For more information on how to choose contraception and safer sex methods, visit sexandu.ca
Using Condoms With Sex Toys
If you are looking for condoms to use on sex toys, we recommend Atlas Condoms. They’re our least expensive condoms, they're non-lubricated, and with sex toys you don't have to worry about fit or comfort. If you have a latex allergy we recommend that you use one of our non-latex condoms instead.
How To Use an Internal Condom
The FC2 Internal Condom is a non-latex barrier method intended to be worn by the receptive partner during sex, and provides protection against sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unwanted pregnancy. At this time the product literature states that the condom is for vaginal penetration only, but the FC2 internal condom has been used by our customers for anal sex for years.
Here are the steps to properly using the condom
- Open the condom package carefully; tear at the notch on the top right of the package. Never use scissors or a knife to open it, since this can damage the condom.
- The outer ring sits outside the body and covers the area around the opening to the receptive partner’s body. The inner ring is used for insertion and to help hold the sheath in place during penetrative play.
- While holding the condom at the closed end, grasp the flexible inner ring and squeeze it with your thumb and index or middle finger so that it becomes long and narrow.
- Choose a position that’s comfortable for insertion – squat, raise one leg, sit, or lie down.
- Gently insert the inner ring and guide it up inside the body.
- Place your index finger inside the condom and push the inner ring up as far as it will go. Be sure the sheath is not twisted. The outer ring should remain outside the body.
- The condom is now in place and ready to use with a partner!
- When you’re both ready, gently guide your partner into the condom's opening with your hand to make sure that their genitals enter the condom properly.
- To remove the condom after sex, twist the outer ring and gently pull the condom out.
- Wrap the used condom in the packaging it came in, or in some tissue, and throw it in the garbage. Don’t put it in the toilet!
You shouldn’t use internal condoms and other condoms at the same time. The friction between the materials can increase the chance of tearing.
Learn more about how to choose a great lube or peruse our selection of condoms.