Condoms on uncut males

October 23, 2005 10:32 PM

A condom question!

I often have problems with condoms sliding off during sex. I am not circumsized, and I think the problem has to do with the skin under the condom moving during intercourse.

It's not a huge problem if I'm a little bit careful, but I'm curious to see if any other uncut males experience this problem and if there's an easy fix that I'm not seeing.

posted by anonymous to health & fitness (12 comments total)

I do not have this problem and am uncut. However, in my experience, condoms have different tightnesses or circumfrences. Maybe you should try other brands if you haven't already.

I suggest you hit a condom store (as opposed to a drugstore) and ask a male staff member about the various brands.
posted by dobbs at 10:45 PM on October 23, 2005

I've had this problem, I find it helps to use a long narrow condom like Kimono ultrathins. Also make sure the condom is unrolled all the way. They end up feeling really tight, if you like the baggy feel you might want to steer clear.

My recommendation: buy a sampler(30) pack(30) or(100) two(50) and see what works for you. If nothing else you'll have fun trying to determine the right one.
posted by Mitheral at 10:53 PM on October 23, 2005

I'm sure there's somewhere on the web that has a measuring guide and different sizes available...maybe someone will sort you out.

Some of the problem could be in how you're putting it on - you have to leave a bit of room at the top for your foreskin to move naturally. If it's pulled too tight it will actually come off more. A little bit of lube in the top can help as well. You want it to grip quite well about an inch from the base, and move at the top.
posted by lunkfish at 10:57 PM on October 23, 2005

Actually, you might be a different shape so don't worry about the inch measurement.
posted by lunkfish at 10:58 PM on October 23, 2005

A few answers in this thread.
posted by fionab at 11:23 PM on October 23, 2005

These are awesome. You might want to get a bit longer than the raw measurement you end up with due to the uncircumcision.
posted by trevyn at 11:23 PM on October 23, 2005

I am cut, but have some experience with this problem. Strangely, I experienced this problem repeatedly with one partner in particular, but not others. It was weird. There are various things that can bring it on. After much thought, here's what I figured was going on:

1) She was incredibly into sex, but not particularly lubricious. We used lube, but lube dries out. This caused friction outside the condom, and grippyness between it and her vagina, which could pull it off me.

2) In addition to the natural pre-cum that accumulates inside the condom, sometimes I put a drop of lube on the inside tip before donning it. This is widely reputed to enhance pleasure, blah blah quack quack, but be advised it can exacerbate #1.

3) This combo of dryness outside and (sometimes) wetness inside could contribute to the condom coming off if not attended. This is not as easy to feel as you might think. It's not always easy to distinguish the sensation of a well lubed condom moving over your penis versus a bare vagina. There's definitely a difference but your attention may be elsehwere and you could miss the difference at a crucial moment.

4) Non-latex and ultrathins could sometimes stay on longer. They had a clingier quality.

5) If, for whatever reason, you are having this problem, you need to check periodically to make sure that it's still on during sex. This isn't difficult, just feel for the end of it next to the base of your penis with a finger or two. This does not have to be interruptive once you know how to do it discreetly. DO NOT trust your penile sensation to tell you when it's come off or not. It's not always that easy to tell.

6) Awkward as it may be to consider, the tighter the vagina, the more chance of its gripping the outside of the condom and pulling it off you. Ditto with smaller penis. Or larger condom. Use one that actually fits. They sell "snugs" as well as "GIANT COCK" size. And if you are sexing someone particularly tight & dry, use extra caution.

7) Monitor your erection carefully. If you ease up for a while and get sidetracked with conversation or some other distraction that might slacken your erection, you're at risk of a condom slip.

8) By all means, be prepared to put a new one on at any moment if it slips, slackens, or gets too wet inside. It's good practice to have more on hand anyway. You may want to remove it for some unmediated oral/manual pleasure (mind your STDs) and then get back to birth-controlled intercourse afterward. Get used to the concept of putting a new one on when you need it. If you're ready for this, it makes dealing with mishaps faster and less interruptive.

9) Don't linger inside after ejactulation. After you ejaculate, you tend to soften up and go limp inside the condom. If you're like me, you're euphoric and romantic and you want to savor the moment, but don't.

10) Use your hand to stabliize the condom as you pull out. You want to be careful not to leave it behind inside your partner. That's not only gross but dangerous in all senses that condoms protect against. Use a finger to press the bottom edge against your penis, and withdraw carefully.

Condoms fucking suck shit. Did I mention that? Don't expect to use them without vigilance and occasional failure. I suggest that you figure out where your nearest source for the morning after pill is just in case, and get tested for STDs regularly, and practice good judgment at all times. Condoms do break and fail. They aren't reliable birth control. Or much fun.
posted by scarabic at 11:38 PM on October 23, 2005

ill second the 'They Fit' custom sized condoms from condomania... and they'll usually throw in a few free gifts when you order!
posted by hummercash at 6:33 AM on October 24, 2005

I second the Kimono Ultrathins. I've had the same problem as you with almost all of the trojan and durex condoms that I've tried. Never had a problem with the Kimonos. I tend to have quite a bit more sensation with them too.
posted by TurkishGolds at 6:55 AM on October 24, 2005

I used to use Mentor brand. These had an adhesive at the base. I don't know if they are still around. If not, try some Superglue...or not.
posted by Goofyy at 9:18 AM on October 24, 2005

There are shaped condoms (baggy head, tighter hilt) from a variety of manufacturers that might help. I'm uncut and sometimes non-shaped condoms will ... er, slide around pull my foreskin so that it's like I was cut - if that makes any sense.
posted by PurplePorpoise at 3:35 PM on October 24, 2005

Yeah Ramses had adhesive at the base too and were just generally the best-made condoms on the planet. Not completely awful to use. Turns out Trojan bought them and then discontinued. Thanks a lot, fuckers!
posted by scarabic at 12:44 AM on October 25, 2005