Condoms

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Wet or Dry?

Lubricated condoms do not break as easily as unlubricated ones. They also give a moist natural sexual feeling to the skin that the dry powdered ones do not. This creates greater sensation for the wearer.

Condoms are lubricated with gels or silicone-based products. Gels coat prophylactics unevenly inside the package, while silicone products lubricate all parts of the condom equally. The silicone coating is less gooey when the package is opened and the thorough wetness means they are less likely to break from grabbing on dry spots during use.

Some condoms are lubricated with nonoxynol-9, a substance which kills AIDS virus in test tube studies. These are advertised as having a spermicidal lubricant. Important considerations in choosing to sue such condoms are:

They may provide a minimum of local protection against HIV in case the condom breaks, leaks or spills; however,
Nonoxynol-9 lubricated condoms have only been tested for vaginal intercourse and tests were not very rigorous.

Accordingly, some using them for anal intercourse may wish to put the condom on and then wipe off the outside so as to have added protection on the inside of the condom without using it on anal tissue; and some people find nonoxynol-9 mildly irritating. Nonoxynol-9 products should be tried out first, suing low risk activities before taking a chance on becoming chapped and creating a possible route for infection.

Problems with irritation can usually be solved by simply changing spermicidal brands. For that matter, the amount of nonoxynol-9 lubricant on these condoms is so minimal that irritation is generally minimal too.