Polyurethane Condoms?

I'm not sure about the rest of you, but my life would be a lot better if condoms were not necessary. Alas, they are a necessary evil; using them is far better than the alternatives, both in the immediate (no more sex) and oblique (babies) senses.

I feel like the condom industry pulled a serious fast one on me. Up until I started having sex, I had been led to believe by condom makers and growing up books (we all leafed through those nervously, so there's no point in being bashful) that condoms didn't make much of a difference during sex. This is simply untrue. It took me a long time to figure out that part of my problem is that the average condom is too small in terms of width. (This sounds like a typical thing for a pencil pee-pee to claim on the internet, but it's relevant to the matter at hand; I don't care if you don't believe me anyway, just please don't let that stop you from advising me on the matter). Anyway, the average latex condom is too small. This presents a problem because (so far as I've been able to find) condom manufacturers only make their extra-thin products in the so-called normal size. Normal size condoms can fit me, but it's even worse to have to deal with that than to deal with the added thickness of the larger sized condoms.

My first question, then, is this: does anybody know of a condom that is both extra-thin AND large? The average diameter for a condom is about 1 3/8", whereas a large condom will be at least 1 1/2".

More importantly, however, is the issue of polyurethane. I've been poking around (pardon the pun), and I've discovered that a few companies make condoms out of polyurethane, which seems (from what sparse commentary I could find) to be lauded for being much thinner than even the thinnest latex condoms. This sounds quite excellent. Further research revealed that Trojan's polyurethane offering is a full 1 3/4" in diameter (or so they claim).

So my question is: if polyurethane is so much thinner and stronger (another claim that was made--I have no experience to back that up), why is it relegated to a distantly second class position in the condom material hierarchy? Is there some obscured evil about polyurethane condoms that someone who has experience with them would care to share with me? I've asked around, and I haven't found anyone who has any experience using them. I'm usually not such a squeamish shopper, but, to be quite frank, if it goes on my penis, several added layers of screening are necessary. I'm not phallocentric, but I don't want my dick to fall off either. I also don't want to find out that they aren't what they're cracked up to be in flagrante delicto, if you catch my meaning.

That is all. Any and all advice on this matter is greatly appreciated.

	Non-US brand options... (5.00 / 2) (#1)
	by chloedancer on Thu Apr 25th, 2002 at 11:31:39 PM PST

	I can't answer the question re: why polyurethane is not highly regarded in the US, but I suspect it might be that the time-honored manufacturers have a lock on the mindshare for the general populace and they seem to be stuck on using rubber for whatever reason. As for possibilities in the realm of polyurethane, the Asian brands are the best in my experience. Some specific recommendations for a roomier fit are Maxx (made in Japan) and Durex Ultra Comfort (Thailand), and Okeido (from Sweden) is also highly regarded. An "American made" option that I'm not familiar with (a new offering, I suspect) is Paradise Super Sensitive. If you can't find these brands in your own locale, you can order on-line at The Rubber Rainbow. As far as effectiveness is concerned, all I can say is that I've yet to have a polyurethane condom break... However, I'm living proof that Trojans can fail in that fashion rather spectacularly ;) Speaking from the feminine perspective, I prefer polyurethane because it's less irritating (and you may not know if your partner has a latex allergy until it's too late, all things considered). If you're ever in the mood for a good laugh sometime, you can always give the Reality™ "female condom" a whirl.

	many thanks (none / 0) (#3)
	by anti filidor on Fri Apr 26th, 2002 at 01:58:04 AM PST

	I've had some problems with latex breaking too. Serious hassle. I saw the Reality online (I've never had the pleasure of seeing one up close). Are they serious? Who would use that? Anyway, thanks a lot for the wealth of information. I'm going to give polyurethane a whirl.

	you speak as though (none / 0) (#2)
	by nathan on Fri Apr 26th, 2002 at 12:55:27 AM PST

	Sex were inevitable - just something that happens to somebody. Nathan -- Li'l Sis: Yo, that's a real grey area. Even by my lax standards.

	You speak like a man (none / 0) (#4)
	by because it isnt on Fri Apr 26th, 2002 at 02:49:55 AM PST

	who had all his natural hormones siphoned out. What I've noticed with my friends is that they can put off relationships for many years, but eventually they just go crazy and their every waking moment is spent looking for a partner. After all, who wants to be spoiled sponge cake? adequacy.org -- because it isn't

	vignette (5.00 / 1) (#5)
	by nathan on Fri Apr 26th, 2002 at 04:44:39 AM PST

	TITLE: THE LIBERALIST's EXCUSE [ Fadein to courtroom from black ] [ THE LIBERALIST (seen from rear) stands up. Shot changes to his face and torso seen over a courtroom table. THE LIBERALIST holds his hands imploringly in the air. He addresses THE JUDGE: ] Please, sir, I couldn't help it. It was my cock! [ Beat, beat. Fade to black. Credits. ] [ NATHAN ] -- Li'l Sis: Yo, that's a real grey area. Even by my lax standards.

	There is a very important meaning hidden in there. (none / 0) (#8)
	by tkatchev on Fri Apr 26th, 2002 at 11:23:06 AM PST

	The early pre-Christian pagan religions viewed the penis as an external, divine tool for asserting power through violence. To the pre-Christian pagan, a penis was a tool (literally) much like a stick or a stone axe. We see vestiges of this belief to this day almost everywhere -- from the sex justification scheme you mentioned to the obsession with cell-phones. -- Peace and much love...

	have you read (none / 0) (#9)
	by nathan on Fri Apr 26th, 2002 at 12:27:48 PM PST

	Martin Amis's legendary porn article? Nathan -- Li'l Sis: Yo, that's a real grey area. Even by my lax standards.

	Pilyurethane Trojans (5.00 / 1) (#6)
	by majubma on Fri Apr 26th, 2002 at 04:48:00 AM PST

	Polyusrethane is nice for heat conduction, but it's not very elastic at all. I find that a 1.75" dia. polyurethane condom is actually more constricting than a 1 3/8" latex condom. It's worth a try, though, because you get added sensation for the price of a tighter fit. -- All information wants to be free, especially information about what you do in the privacy of your own home.

	Of course condoms make sex feel worse (5.00 / 1) (#7)
	by Adam Rightmann on Fri Apr 26th, 2002 at 05:58:53 AM PST

	the momentray animal pleasure you get is clouded by feelings of guilt and foreboding (we just fornicated, and what if some of my seed spilled out?). Just marry your woman and have babies, the sex is better. A. Rightmann