Do you just buy any condom without really thinking about it?

Working in the sexual wellness industry, one of the questions customers ask me most often is, "Which condom is good?" It is actually a very difficult question to answer, because what I find good does not necessarily mean you will find it good. I have recommended a product I thought was excellent, only to hear a customer reply, "It is just okay" — which felt awful. After thinking it over, rather than recommending a particular product to you, it is better to teach you how to choose. After all, no one knows your body better than you do.

There are said to be tens of thousands of condoms on the market, and sometimes you just do not know where to start. To narrow things down, this time we will only discuss European, American and Japanese products, because Hongkongers generally rarely use brands made in mainland China or other regions. I asked most of the men around me, and their answers about choosing a condom were generally: "I just go to the nearest convenience store and buy a box", "I will just pick the most famous one", or "I will grab a box quickly when nobody is queuing." Summing up those answers, I think Hong Kong men are rather shy about this — after all, few people would accept holding several boxes of condoms in front of everyone. So I highly recommend buying online: not only can you take your time to look, there are usually more styles to choose from. What is more, once you find a condom that suits you, you are set for good, so this is effort worth making.

Back to the point: to find a condom that suits you, you can follow the areas below.

1) Size

How important this is probably needs no explanation from me. A condom in the wrong size can, at best, affect your sexual experience, and at worst, cause the condom to break or slip off. Besides giving you a chance of catching an STI, you might become a parent this time next year. Online shops that sell condoms generally state the size specifications of each product, so please do not be lazy — take a couple more looks and choose according to your own size. We generally measure by the diameter at the base of the penis (approximately the circumference at the base divided by 2).

Generally speaking, unless you are exceptionally gifted, the sizes of Japanese brand condoms will generally suit Asian men. A little tip: the material of a condom is also a major factor in choosing the right size. Condoms made from polyurethane (PU) are less elastic, so you should choose a product in your exact size, while latex condoms are relatively elastic, so I suggest choosing a product slightly smaller than your penis, to avoid it slipping off during sex. ((Reference))

2) Functions

There are all kinds of condoms out there. The most common functions are: ultra-thin, smooth, dotted, ribbed, textured, cooling, warming, scented, premature-ejaculation prevention, delay and increased pleasure. Basically, all condom functions revolve around two different directions — "increasing stimulation" and "prolonging sex". Of course, there are also products that do both. I want to list all the functions and remind everyone that any fancy function helps "increase pleasure", including products that offer a "delay" effect — the method is the same: reduce the man's pleasure while increasing his partner's pleasure, so that both can reach the peak of sex together.

Friendly reminder: it is best for both partners to discuss the choice of function before deciding, because a product you like may not necessarily be liked by the other person. Couples can usually try each function one by one, to find out what you both like — the process is a lot of fun.

There is a lot to learn about thickness too. Do you know that I am talking about the thickness of condoms? A general condom is about 0.04 mm to 0.06 mm thick, and its contraceptive success rate can reach 98% or above. There are condoms of different thicknesses on the market, and there is even the "ultra-thin" 0.01 mm condom talked about everywhere — and there are not many online shops selling condoms. (Reference)

Most men like zero barrier, so many major brands launch products marketed as ultra-thin, such as 0.01 mm, 0.02 mm and 0.03 mm. But please note that, because of production costs, these products are generally more expensive. Is it worth it? That is up to you.

Where there is thin, there is naturally thick. To prolong sex, humans have designed many different types of products, and thicker condoms are certainly among them. The principle is to use a thicker material to reduce the stimulation felt by the man's penis, thereby delaying ejaculation. There are 0.09 mm and 0.12 mm products on the market. ((Reference))

Cooling and warming: through different lubricants, they bring you and your partner a feeling of cold or warmth. How to decide? It is up to your own preference.

Scent: in my observation, this seems to be something relatively few people care about, possibly because most people who buy condoms are men, and men are generally less sensitive to scent. However, trying a different scent from time to time can not only add freshness, it can also please your partner with a scent they like. Never underestimate a woman's nose! Condoms on the market now come in many different scents. Apart from the usual strawberry, orange and other fruits, there are even marble soda, milk tea and more. Only what you cannot think of — there is nothing they cannot make.

Texture: quite a few condom manufacturers launch condoms with dots, horizontal ribs, screw threads and so on. The purpose is only one — to increase friction and make the woman feel more. The back of a condom box generally shows the texture of the product. ((Reference))

Apart from the major factors mentioned above, some brands have launched different concept products to cater for people with different lifestyles. For example, the one below is a vegan condom designed for vegetarians.

3) Material

Condoms made from latex (natural rubber) are more elastic and have a smoother surface. But latex has a small fatal flaw: it is not suitable for people who are sensitive to latex. In addition, latex is harmed by these things: oil-based products — when using a latex condom, you should choose a water-based lubricant, otherwise if you come into contact with other oil-based products, it may damage the structure of the latex itself, causing it to lose elasticity and easily break. For this reason, there are fewer types of lubricant that can be used with latex condoms.

Because latex is more elastic, even if it is one size smaller, it can stretch to the right size. So, when it comes to wearing comfort, latex is still more comfortable than condoms made from other materials.

Polyurethane (PU): PU is relatively less elastic and less stretchy, but it conducts heat better than other materials, allowing men to feel their partner's temperature more, which is more considerate. The advantage of PU is that it does not cause allergic reactions in people who are sensitive to latex, and it can be used with any type of lubricant, including oil-based lubricants. However, because it is less elastic, if you do not choose the right size, a condom that is too tight may break during sex. In other words, PU is more suitable for larger men. It also can be used together with oil-based lubricants.

Polyisoprene (PI) is a synthetic rubber of latex, mainly prepared for people who are sensitive to latex, or when a product's raw material causes an allergy to one type of material, PI can be used instead.

But if you do not want to buy a whole box, try it, not like it, and then waste it? Why not try buying them one by one! There are already online shops on the market that let you buy them piece by piece — a condom platter, one of each, you cannot say that is not fun! Link: https://www.fungarden.com.hk/categories/condoms?sort_by=lowest_price&order_by=asc