Yet another condom question

March 28, 2006 8:55 AM

Ladies, when using condoms, can you tell the difference between regular condoms and "ribbed for her pleasure" condoms?
posted by smithmac_99 to Health & Fitness (47 answers total)

Is that all you need to know? I can immediately tell the difference, yes.
posted by lia at 8:57 AM on March 28, 2006

I've often wondered this as well, since it seems like a phony marketing thing.

I can immediately tell the difference, yes.

Really? Is the difference huge? Which one is preferred?
posted by mathowie at 9:02 AM on March 28, 2006

I could never tell. Luckily, we don't use those vile things (condoms) at all anymore.
posted by agregoli at 9:05 AM on March 28, 2006

Nope.
posted by unknowncommand at 9:09 AM on March 28, 2006

I can't tell the difference between ribbed or not, but weirdly the thinner, the better.
posted by youcancallmeal at 9:12 AM on March 28, 2006

No, I've never noticed any difference. The amount of lube on the outside is a much more noticeable diffence than any texture on the condom itself.
posted by luneray at 9:13 AM on March 28, 2006

Another vote for no.
posted by iconomy at 9:14 AM on March 28, 2006

I can, because like youcancallmeal, the thinner the much much much better and ribbed will always be less thin by virtue of the ribs.
posted by birdie birdington at 9:18 AM on March 28, 2006

Yes, and I find it irritating, not pleasing. But I'm not a huge fan of condoms, period.
posted by moira at 9:22 AM on March 28, 2006

Thinner is better at transferring temperature. As for ribs, the ribs are too small to really advance any major pleasure. There are other, better ways, to enhance her pleasure. Anyway, I hate the damn things as well, and as soon as conditions allow, her pleasure favors progression to another method.
posted by Miko at 9:26 AM on March 28, 2006

Not even a little bit. But I agree the thinner the better.
posted by elvissa at 9:26 AM on March 28, 2006

You may have noticed that I find that phrase, 'her pleasure,' cheesily amusing.
posted by Miko at 9:26 AM on March 28, 2006

Being a man, I have no answer, but I have to thank you for the question; this is something I have wondered about as well.
posted by languagehat at 9:33 AM on March 28, 2006

No, I can't either.
posted by jamesonandwater at 9:34 AM on March 28, 2006

Slightly, but not enough to cause any sort of sensation (good or bad).
posted by itchie at 9:34 AM on March 28, 2006

Add me to another one who can't tell the difference.
posted by gaspode at 9:38 AM on March 28, 2006

*as* another one. Sheesh.
posted by gaspode at 9:39 AM on March 28, 2006

My SO says she definitely notices a difference. I suppose it's just a case of diff'rent strokes for diff'rent folks. No pun intended.
posted by macdara at 9:42 AM on March 28, 2006

I have gotten rave reviews about the Trojan Ultra as it is quite thin. I think the heat transfer is much more important than tiny little ribs.

Best thing to do is try alot of different ones until you find what you and your partner/partners like best.

Trojan gives some away for free too.
posted by Ateo Fiel at 9:51 AM on March 28, 2006

Ribbed, no. Studded, yes. And they are fun.
posted by misanthropicsarah at 9:56 AM on March 28, 2006

first to anwser your question. yes i can tell. now have you ever used Pleasure Plus condoms? there is a HUGE diffrance using these. they are so much better i refuse to use anything else.
posted by kantgirl at 10:00 AM on March 28, 2006

studded huh? Interesting :)
posted by smithmac_99 at 10:00 AM on March 28, 2006

Can't help with the ribbed/plain question but my darling girlfriend insists there's a difference for her between condom and no condom. I have posited that it's psychological but she insists it's better without.
posted by phearlez at 10:15 AM on March 28, 2006

kantgirl: Are the Pleasure Plus condoms the one with the little baggie on the end? There's another kind with extra material around the shaft - spiral something I think.

What's the word on these? I've not tried them, but have heard that they offer the best experience short of not wearing a condom at all. Seems like they'd be a bit . . . I dunno . . . bunchy.
posted by aladfar at 10:26 AM on March 28, 2006

phearlez, I must admit that I'm siding with your gal. A condom sometimes restricts the shape of the penis, and takes away a lot of the friction.

Just my opinion, though.
posted by itchie at 10:51 AM on March 28, 2006

No.
posted by matildaben at 10:58 AM on March 28, 2006

I can tell the difference -- the ribbed ones are irritating.
posted by scody at 11:05 AM on March 28, 2006

I can tell the difference: the ribbed ones feel like they're exfoliating my twat.

It's a matter of personal preference. Some girls seem to like them.
posted by honeydew at 11:08 AM on March 28, 2006

I find the ribbed ones irritating, too.
posted by Maisie Jay at 11:10 AM on March 28, 2006

Nope. Not at all.
posted by INTPLibrarian at 11:17 AM on March 28, 2006

Seconding the ribbed no, studded yes vote.

Although both pale in comparison to none at all.
posted by Kellydamnit at 11:35 AM on March 28, 2006

I can tell, but it doesn't really make a difference to me either way.
Thinner is better. Without is (beyond a shadow of a doubt) the best.
posted by Melinika at 11:40 AM on March 28, 2006

phearlez, your gf is right. The surface texture is entirely different. Then there's the smell of the damn things, ugh.
posted by Miko at 11:55 AM on March 28, 2006

it feels like a completely different activity with and without a condom.

as far as ribbed...never felt a difference...studded does feel different and is a nice change but i'd never want it every day.

all a moot point as i don't usethe blasted things anymore.
posted by nadawi at 1:26 PM on March 28, 2006

youcancallmeal writes "but weirdly the thinner, the better"

It's the heat. Polyurethanes are great for heat transfer and they don't have that miserable latex odour.
posted by Mitheral at 1:44 PM on March 28, 2006

Difference? Yes. For my pleasure? Absolutely not.
posted by wallaby at 2:06 PM on March 28, 2006

I can tell the difference (studded are especially noticable). I don't find it adds to my pleasure. Studded ones are mildly annoying, actually.
posted by raedyn at 2:29 PM on March 28, 2006

I can't really tell the difference, but will definitely join in with the "thinner is better" crowd.
posted by ThatSomething at 3:40 PM on March 28, 2006

the ribbed ones feel like they're exfoliating my twat.

"Exfoliating Your Twat" is the name of my death metal side project's next album.

As to the question: every woman i know who has ever expressed an opinion on the subject says she prefers thin or none.
posted by Decani at 4:43 PM on March 28, 2006

Not too sure about ribbed or non-ribbed, but .. Without sounding like an advertisement, Lifestyles ultra-sensitive (I think that's what they're called.. "Feels like wearing nothing at all!") are by far the most pleasurable condoms I've found. I can definitely tell a difference there. Once upon a time we were using atrocious Trojans which felt like a thick rubber glove or balloon or something, and literally got dressed and walked to the nearest gas station in the wee hours of the morning to buy some Lifestyles condoms and go back home. :)
posted by mojabunni at 7:29 PM on March 28, 2006

Am I the only girl who prefers with over without? Maybe it's just the times I grew up in... Also, definitely thinner=better, never liked textured.
posted by mosessis at 7:51 AM on March 30, 2006

Lucky ba'tards, my girlfriend totally refuses not to have one, and I'd written if off in my head as "it can't be that much different" to see all you lot ranting about how mindblowingly better it is without! Argh!

But on the original question, by my reports, the answer is no also.
posted by wackybrit at 8:01 AM on April 3, 2006

my girlfriend totally refuses not to have one

Just wondering, have you discussed arranging for you both to get tested for AIDS and STDs and then switching to something equally effective but less obtrusive, like the sponge? She still may not want to, but if it's disease she's concerned about, and you're monogamous, testing can help take care of any fears.
posted by Miko at 10:43 AM on April 3, 2006

Oh, we're both totally clean and she's even on the pill, but we are so paranoid about getting pregnant that that's just how it is. We decided if the male pill turns up and I take that then we can go without, since we'll still be protected doubly, but she won't rely on just the pill.
posted by wackybrit at 9:51 AM on April 4, 2006

Pill and sponge, then? Or diaphragm?
posted by Miko at 10:38 AM on April 4, 2006

Pill and sponge, then? Or diaphragm? Or just spermacide?
posted by Miko at 10:38 AM on April 4, 2006

I have a friend who swears by those micro thin high tech Japanese condoms, Kimono I think they're called...(When you're done with em you can shape them into robots or spaceships..or so I'm told).
posted by Skygazer at 10:42 AM on April 4, 2006