# For you men out there, is sex with a condom still pleasurable? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [January 3, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820 "2015-01-03T01:30:45Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Hector\_St\_Clare](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hector\_St\_Clare](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hector_St_Clare)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 11:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/41 "2015-01-03T23:16:57Z")
> [@Lemmytheseal2](#): > > I haven’t had much sex in my life, as you may have read in other threads of mine. I have only had sex once without a condom, as this was post-vasectomy, and it seemed unlikely that I was exposing myself to anything else dangerous. Depending on your ethnic background, sexual orientation, drug/sexual history and the drug/sexual history of your partner, you may not have been exposing yourself to much of anything at all. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/42 "2015-01-03T23:49:55Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I have never understood men who say things like, “using a condom reduces my pleasure” or “real men would never use a condom”. > > That is just such a bunch of hooey. In my experience the thing that determines how much pleasure one gets from a sexual experience is the way one treats their partner and vice versa during the sex act. > > It has absolutely nothing to do with using a condom and given the current dangers we all face, using a condom is just as necessary for a man as using a penis. It is essential to use a condom and any man who tries to convince a partner they don’t need to use a condom is right out of their freaking mind. Don’t ever fall for that bullshit! These men are very dangerous idiots. > > One of the most dangerous arguments I’ve heard is when some man tells their partner not to worry because they can pull out before reaching climax. That is nearly as dangerous as pointing a gun at the head of their partner because as long as his penis penetrates any part of partner’s body, tiny drops or droplets of semen can enter partner’s body leaving partner very susceptable to most any diseases. > > When you consider the risks involved, it is just plain crazy to ride bareback any more. IMHO, if someone ever tries to convince you to go bareback, you need to visualize them as holding a loaded gun to your head during intercourse. > > Becoming infected is just not worth the risk of going bareback. It’s like running with the bulls in that Spanish city. It is just emphatically not worth the risk. Anyone who tries to convince you otherwise is an idiot and a very dangerous man. Someone needs to report them to a Health worker and then that someone needs to run away from them just as quickly as they can. Calm down there buddy. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/43 "2015-01-03T23:56:44Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Calm down there buddy. 🙂 I take it that you read my apology and that you accept it then? 🙂 I must admit to being surprised that so many men expressed the opinion they feel very strongly against condoms. I was expecting that most men would want to use them. Oh well, I was wrong again. I’m getting used to that. Heh Heh. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 3, 2015, 11:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/44 "2015-01-03T23:59:34Z")
> [@TheBuilding](#): > > I know that having sex without a condom beats sex with a condom every time. But is sex with a condom still fun? Does it still give you pleasure? Does it matter what type of condom it is? Perhaps you might put a Poll into this kind of post next time you post it? It would give us a firm idea of just how many people feel one way and how many feel the other. Of course, you don’t have to do that. I’m just suggesting it might be a good idea. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 12:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/45 "2015-01-04T00:06:23Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I take it that you read my apology and that you accept it then? > > 🙂 > I must admit to being surprised that so many men expressed the opinion they feel very strongly against condoms. > > I was expecting that most men would want to use them. > > Oh well, I was wrong again. I’m getting used to that. > > Heh Heh. Yes, I forgive you Charlie. My point in saying calm down was that while unprotected sex does leave one vulnerable to STDs and pregnancy, I think your attitude towards the very _concept_ of sex without a condom-ever-seems a bit overstated. But maybe that is not what you meant and I misread you. Oh, and I’ve _never_ heard a guy (or anyone) say anything like “a real man doesn’t wear condoms”. ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/46 "2015-01-04T00:29:37Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Yes, I forgive you Charlie. My point in saying calm down was that while unprotected sex does leave one vulnerable to STDs and pregnancy, I think your attitude towards the very _concept_ of sex without a condom-ever-seems a bit overstated. But maybe that is not what you meant and I misread you. > > Oh, and I’ve _never_ heard a guy (or anyone) say anything like “a real man doesn’t wear condoms”. Really? That surprises me because when I was in college, I had a roommate who used to say that he would never wear a condom because he thought anyone who wore one was somehow less than a real man. I never understood what he meant but I didn’t ask him about it because I figured it would just lead to a quarrel unnecessarily. However, it just seemed like a silly thing to say and it also seemed like it would be silly for me to pursue it. I mean … what would be the point? This same guy told me he would never masterbate for the same reason. I didn’t believe him. But again, I didn’t want to get into a quarrel about it. Seemed like a very silly thing to quarrel about - especially since I didn’t care what he did with his penis. It was none of my business and I really could care less. For me, the use of a condom is one of the least important items involved in my pleasure stemming from the sex act. There are many other factors that I feel are much more important. ---
**Author:** ![Count\_Blucher](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/c5a1d2/32.png) [@Count\_Blucher](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Count_Blucher)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 1:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/47 "2015-01-04T01:30:42Z")
Never been offered. Never will be offered. ---
**Author:** ![LSLGuy](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lslguy/32/5813_2.png) [@LSLGuy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/LSLGuy)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 2:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/48 "2015-01-04T02:16:08Z")
\*\*Charley \*\*- FYI & IMO … When you post to any thread with more than a handful of existing replies, you’re mostly replying to the latest posters. Yes, you’re all talking \*about \*whatever the OP wanted to talk about, but you’re talking \*to \*the latest posters. As such, at least skimming the whole thread and really reading the last few posts is really the bare minimum effort you should invest before composing a post. If that’s too hard, don’t post to the threads. This is offered as a friendly suggestion, which others may or may not agree with. But this is the way I do it and I’ve avoided posting something way off-key for 10-plus years now. ---
**Author:** ![Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/58956e/32.png) [@Emtar\_KronJonDerSohn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emtar_KronJonDerSohn)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 2:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/49 "2015-01-04T02:27:29Z")
Why are we high-fiving repeatedly with our pelvises and when can we stop? ---
**Author:** ![Charlie\_Wayne](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4bbf92/32.png) [@Charlie\_Wayne](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charlie_Wayne)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 2:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/50 "2015-01-04T02:33:57Z")
> [@LSLGuy](#): > > \*\*Charley \*\*- FYI & IMO … When you post to any thread with more than a handful of existing replies, you’re mostly replying to the latest posters. Yes, you’re all talking \*about \*whatever the OP wanted to talk about, but you’re talking \*to \*the latest posters. > > As such, at least skimming the whole thread and really reading the last few posts is really the bare minimum effort you should invest before composing a post. If that’s too hard, don’t post to the threads. > > This is offered as a friendly suggestion, which others may or may not agree with. But this is the way I do it and I’ve avoided posting something way off-key for 10-plus years now. I am going to have to do some research using Google on your post before I feel qualified to answer it. Please stand by. It may take me a day or two before I can find an appropriate answer for you. ---
**Author:** ![JRDelirious](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jrdelirious/32/9531_2.png) [@JRDelirious](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JRDelirious)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 3:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/51 "2015-01-04T03:27:21Z")
The posts from the distaff side to the effect that it’s not always that great on the other side of the wrapper, either, are appreciated. Often it’s not a matter of it being less or more pleasurable: using (or not using, depending on what you are used to) _does_ feel _different_ and how each individual reacts to that difference is particular to him. It does seem however that as a norm it does continue to be A Good Thing in the end net sum. I suppose for many people it’s also a matter of conditioning (if all or most sex has been under wrap or that was how they got started, that’s to them how it normally feels). As mentioned in earlier posts, a lot depends on the quality of the product: Some of them do provide greater or lesser comfort and tactile transmission, and one must say frankly some times the manufacturer seems so intent on making sure the thing never slips off, that its tightness literally squeezes you back down (this is more of an issue for those who have been on this orb a longer time and no longer get sustained pressurization up to the redline just because she’s there). The mere fact that in the strictly physical sense of elasticity one size does virtually fit all, does not mean it fits all _equally well_. To this you must add variations in the individual’s own baseline sensitivity and response – face it, contrary to the common stereotype, male sexual response does vary, it’s not limited to “as long as someone else is touching it or I’m sticking it _somewhere_”. Even when it comes down to sticking it somewhere, individual men may react better or worse to a sensation that is more or less tight/loose/slick/grippy/etc. and in some cases the condom may help and enhance that, and not so in others. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/52 "2015-01-04T03:46:06Z")
> [@Charlie\_Wayne](#): > > I am going to have to do some research using Google on your post before I feel qualified to answer it. > > Please stand by. It may take me a day or two before I can find an appropriate answer for you. Can I ask, what would you need to Google? He just recommended at least skimming the entirety of the thread and reading the last few posts prior to posting yourself. What do you need to Google? ---
**Author:** ![Cubsfan](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/f4b2a3/32.png) [@Cubsfan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Cubsfan)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/53 "2015-01-04T03:50:32Z")
Between my first marriage and my second I was back in the field and it was VERY hard to use a condom after years of not. There is little to no sensation. It made sex really not fun unless the girl was really tight. While my wife was waiting for her birth control to kick back in after her pregnancy we were supposed to use condoms. We just opted to not have intercourse instead. It just wasn’t worth the effort. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/54 "2015-01-04T03:52:15Z")
Likewise, I’ve never had bad pizza. ---
**Author:** ![rsat3acr](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/a3d4f5/32.png) [@rsat3acr](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rsat3acr)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 4:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/55 "2015-01-04T04:19:06Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Can I ask, what would you need to Google? He just recommended at least skimming the entirety of the thread and reading the last few posts prior to posting yourself. What do you need to Google? I think it was a woosh about taking a lot of time to respond after being spoken to about responding quickly. ---
**Author:** ![Grotonian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/c2a13f/32.png) [@Grotonian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grotonian)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 6:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/56 "2015-01-04T06:50:44Z")
Condoms are the worst, and they shift. I can’t believe no one’s mentioned how painful orgasm is if the condom isn’t still centered close to perfectly. For an idea what it feels like, before your next sneeze, wrap your head in Saran Wrap. It hurts! ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 7:01am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/57 "2015-01-04T07:01:10Z")
> [@Ambivalid](#): > > Oh, and I’ve _never_ heard a guy (or anyone) say anything like “a real man doesn’t wear condoms”. I have, it’s the reason I took so long to get rid of my virginity. I grew up before AIDS was known; the sex-ed most people my age got was “girls, take the Pill” (guys? What did guys have to worry about? Girls were taking the Pill! Any girl who wasn’t taking the Pill was a complete moron!). My family has a very bad history with female hormones (I’ve never seen my mother sicker than with HRT, for example) and my own sex-ed included “the responsibility aspects of using a condom” (it puts some of the onus of pregnancy prevention on him) and “double or triple up”. So yeah I do require condoms for casual sex and yeah I’ve heard that particular gem. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 8:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/58 "2015-01-04T08:07:48Z")
I hope when you say “double-up” you mean using more than one method of birth control, rather than more than one condom. “Double-bagging” actually makes it more likely for a condom to tear, from what I’ve heard. ---
**Author:** ![Nava](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/da6949/32.png) [@Nava](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nava)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 8:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/59 "2015-01-04T08:26:59Z")
Yes, more than one method of birth control. One of the things the teacher emphasized is that the only method that’s 100% sure is a hysterectomy. ---
**Author:** ![Ambivalid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/a5b964/32.png) [@Ambivalid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ambivalid)\ **Post date:** [January 4, 2015, 9:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820/60 "2015-01-04T09:08:29Z")
> [@rsat3acr](#): > > I think it was a woosh about taking a lot of time to respond after being spoken to about responding quickly. Oh. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/for-you-men-out-there-is-sex-with-a-condom-still-pleasurable/708820.md?page=4)