How to Choose Condoms for First-Time Sex

The time has finally arrived. Perhaps you have been waiting years for it to finally happen. You have found someone that you are comfortable having sex with. This can provoke all kinds of contrasting feelings: ranging from deep excitement to feelings of nervousness and even anxiety.

One way you can calm your nerves and get yourself in the mood is by heading to your local drugstore or going online to buy condoms. The question you might be asking yourself is: what are the best condoms for my first time and what are the safest condoms to prevent pregnancy and unwanted STDs? If you are interested in learning more, please feel free to read the rest of our dedicated guide.

We will cover:

Why Should You Use a Condom?
Types of Condoms and Materials
How to Choose the Right Condom for You?
Which Condom or Barrier Method Should I Use?
How to Choose the Best Condom or Barrier Method?
Condom and Lube Recommendation
How to Put on a Condom?
What to Do if the Condom Breaks?
Conclusion

Why Should You Use a Condom?

As an invention, condoms are completely unique: they are the only contraceptive device that helps protect against STDs and pregnancy simultaneously. This is why condoms were included on the WHO’s list of essential medicines¹ all the way back in 1987. When it comes to protecting against STDs, condoms are highly effective as well. Research shows that condoms are 90-95% effective when protecting against HIV², as well as 90% effective against Hepatitis B and gonorrhea, with 50-90% protection against chlaymydia³. Considering the impact of STDs, which could affect fertility and sexual performance, this makes using condoms for this reason an absolute no-brainer.

They are also one of the best forms of contraception when protecting against pregnancy. If you use them correctly and consistently every time that you have sex, they are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy⁴. This is definitely an important consideration when you think about the life-changing effects of having a child, both economically and emotionally.

Nonetheless, these statistics are only important when considering full effectiveness. It’s essential to understand exactly how to put on and use a condom properly if you are looking to make sure that you are fully protected in the process.

Protection isn’t the only reason why you should get over your fear of condoms. Consider these crucial factors for picking a condom for first time sex:

They’re easy to access
They offer a cheap form of contraception
They can boost penetrative sex to last longer
They can boost your pleasure — and hers
They can be used for vaginal, oral, and, in some cases, anal
They make sex less messy
They’re simple to use
They are an alternative to medicinal contraception

Simply put, when choosing condoms, you can’t lose and you can have a lot of fun sex in the process! Read on to learn more about the different types of condoms and materials.

Types of Condoms and Materials

The types of condoms out there are just as varied as the types of penises out there. This can be rather overwhelming for men who just want a simple and flexible option for their first time. First of all, it’s worth understanding the different condom materials, which are latex, polyurethane, polyisoprene, and lamb intestine.

Latex is one of the best-feeling condoms, usually the most popular, and works for most people. Nonetheless, around 4.3% of the general population suffers from a latex allergy⁵, which means that a non-latex option might be your best bet if you are unsure whether you or your partner might be allergic.

As for the different types of condoms that are out there, the world is your oyster. There are condoms in all different shapes and sizes, perfectly designed to suit your particular needs and wants. The different kinds of condoms that are on the market include:

Dotted and Extra-Dotted Condoms
Ribbed and Extra-Ribbed Condoms
Ultra-Thin Condoms
Extra-large and Extra-Small Condoms
Female Condoms
Lubricated Condoms
Spermicidal Condoms
Endurance Condoms

There are also a variety of novelty condoms on the market, from French ticklers to edible condoms, but these don’t actually protect against anything, so they’re only truly recommended in a safe and partnered relationship.

How to Choose the Right Condom for You?

As a first-timer, it’s recommended to go straight for a regular-fit latex condom. With that said, there can be a variety of extenuating circumstances that might make you want to choose another option. For example, if you feel like you are worried about your performance, then it might make sense to try a prolong regular fit condom, as this will help you last longer, to your and your partner’s benefit. If the opposite is true, and you are worried about a lack of sensitivity, then an ultra-thin option might be more to your liking. For wider penises, a wide fit works best, with a close fit best for thinner penises.

You will probably notice, when you put on a condom for the first time, if it is the right choice for you. That’s why it is recommended to try masturbating with a condom first, so you can get an idea of size, feel, and sensation!

Which Condom or Barrier Method Should I Use?

This article has focused on male condoms, but they are not the only barrier method out there. There are also female condoms, diaphragms, and caps, which instead of being placed over the condom, are placed inside the vagina. They also protect against pregnancy but the effectiveness can vary when it comes to protecting against STDs. Let’s dig into each method below:

Female Condoms

Female condoms, also known as internal condoms, are small pouches that are put inside the vagina. They cover the inside, creating a barrier that prevents women from getting pregnant. They can also help to prevent sexually transmitted infections, but the exact data from scientists remains inconclusive⁵.

Diaphragms

A diaphragm is a shallow cup that looks like a saucer. Made of soft silicone — making it incompatible with silicone-based lubes — it can be bent in half and inserted inside the vagina as a barrier before the cervix.

One way to make diaphragm usage even more effective is by lining the cup with spermicide before use. However, it’s worth bearing in mind that diaphragms do not protect against STDs, so it’s best to use them in a trusted relationship where you have both been tested beforehand or in combination with condoms.

Cervical Caps

Cervical caps work slightly differently from diaphragms. They are a little cup shaped like a sailor’s hat that should be inserted deep inside of the vagina. The benefit of a cervical cap is that it can be left inside the vagina longer than a diaphragm — for up to two days! This is perfect if you are looking for spontaneous interactions, but it works best when it is combined with spermicide. There is no STD protection with cervical caps.

How to Choose the Best Condom or Barrier Method?

Generally speaking, the type of contraceptive that you pick will depend on your sex and your relationship status. If you are a single man on the lookout for sex, then it’s your responsibility to keep yourself protected: in this case, it’s recommended to buy yourself a regular fit latex condom, unless you have reason to buy a different condom. Women can also take the initiative and buy male condoms in anticipation of sex, or buy female condoms for themselves. As for diaphragms and cups, these work best when you are already in a committed relationship as they do not protect against STDs.

Condom and Lube Recommendation

When having sex for the first time, it is very important to be as comfortable as possible. The best way to help increase comfort is by using lubrication. This is especially true if you are circumcised and need extra lubrication, or if your partner is also a virgin and having sex for the first time. For a simple and easy option, it is recommended to use a water-based lube, as this is easy to apply and effortless to clean off. And for more intense and longer-lasting sensations, you can opt for a silicone lube! The great news is that Durex© offers a wide variety of different lubes that you can use, making it easier than ever to find the right lubricant for you. Additionally, all Durex condoms are pre-lubricated for easy use.

How to Put on a Condom?

You’ve pulled out all the stops and the moment of truth has finally arrived. Now you just have to put the thing on! This can be a scary moment, with the likelihood of something going wrong. This is especially true when you consider the fact that putting on a condom incorrectly can significantly reduce its effectiveness against both STDs and unwanted pregnancies. This is why it is important to practice putting on condoms on your penis first before the time comes to have sex. The step-by-step guide goes as follows:

Read the instructions on the side of the package
Carefully open the wrapper while making sure you don’t pierce the condom
Put the condom on the top of the erection; uncircumcised men should pull their foreskin back
Grip the tip of the condom and pinch the air out
Unroll the condom until it reaches the base of the penis
Double-check everything is OK
Enjoy sex with your partner
After sex, dispose of it safely

If you are still not comfortable with putting on a condom, why not ask your partner to do it for you? It can even be a fun part of your foreplay. For example, they can gently play with your penis as they put it on. Learn more about how to prepare for your first time with our essential and informative guide.

What to Do if the Condom Breaks?

When the condom breaks, it is no longer effective, and the risk of contracting an STD or becoming pregnant is significantly increased. If you notice the condom breaking in the middle of sex, you need to stop intercourse right away to assess the damage. The first thing the man or woman should do in this case is head to a local pharmacy and buy the morning-after pill for the woman, which can help her from getting pregnant. If you are worried that you may have contracted an STD, then it is absolutely imperative that you visit a local health center to get yourself checked!

To figure out positions that will be comfortable for both you and your partner, and decrease the chances of the condom breaking, read our essential guide to the best sex positions for your first time today! Don’t worry: you got this!

Conclusion

It has been our sincere hope that this guide has quelled your fear about buying condoms before having sex for the first time. Now you should have a great idea about the different types of condoms on the market, how to use them, and where you can purchase them. It can be a daunting process, but there is absolutely nothing for you to worry about. Having sex is a normal and natural thing, but it can come with unwanted dangers, meaning that picking out the right condom for you and your partner is absolutely essential. Relax, take a deep breath, and get the right condom for your first time!