GUY HELP!!!! How To Advise Son "which" Type of Condom To Use

[Isabelle]

My 17 yr old came to me yesterday and confided it was time to buy condoms. WHile I have had the sex talk with him many times I never discussed “which condom was best to use”

Personally I don’t think I have ever bought condoms so I have no idea if it matters.
My guy friends don’t use them (they are married)

How should I advise 17 yr old son? Do I just let him find out on his own (trial & error) which is the best to use or do I tell him, the best kind is… …fill in the blank

This is a dad’s job!:smack:

[congodwarf]

Tell him to buy basic condoms. There’s always the possibility that his GF is allergic to lubricants or spermacide or sensitive to ribs.

[urban1a]

I would get a lubricated condom with nonoxynol-9 (if that’s how it’s spelled). This is a sperm killer.

Condoms now come in various sizes so he wants one that isn’t too small or too large (could slip off). Unfortunately, you can’t try them before you buy them so he’ll have to buy a package of each size and try it (I don’t the packages state applicable penis size).

There are various thicknesses (thinnest might be best) and textures but he’s going to have to try those out before deciding on the one which is best for him.

Condoms are also made of various substances. Latex is the most popular, but remind him that you MUST use a water based lubricant when using these. The vinyl and sheep intestine based condoms are more expensive.

I usually just get the cheapest brand which meets my other preferences.

Congratulations on having a son who trusts you so completely.

Bob

[urban1a]

Thanks, congodwarf. I hadn’t thought about the allergy bit. It’s likely, though, that some sort of lubricant will need to be used.

Bob

[Homebrew]

If he is going to be using more than one in a day with the same girl, then he should avoid those with Nonoxynol-9. It can cause irritation with repeated use and actually make transferral of STDs easier. If he is gay, then he should avoid Nonoxynol-9 entirely for that same reason. Tell him to be sure to use a Latex condom. Other kinds do little for STD protection and are only for contraception.

From WHO

Spermicides containing nonoxynol-9 do not protect against HIV infection and may even increase the risk of HIV infection in women using these products frequently, according to a WHO report released today. The report also advises women at high risk of HIV infection against using nonoxynol-9 spermicides for contraception.

According to the CDC, it’s a good thing you’re talking with him about this.

Frank discussions between mothers and their adolescents about condoms can lead teens to adopt behaviors that will prevent them from becoming infected with HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases, according to a study published in the October 1, 1998, issue of the American Journal of Public Health. The findings are from interviews conducted with 372 sexually active adolescents (14- to 17-year-olds) in New York, Alabama, and Puerto Rico. The study found that mother-adolescent discussions about condoms before first sexual intercourse greatly increased the percentage of young people who use condoms, both for their first intercourse and for subsequent acts.

Here is a Consumer Reports reliability test results from a few years back. Make sure they meet government testing standards.

Also be sure to talk to him about correct usage. If a condom is used incorrectly, then it isn’t of much use. It must be put on before any genital contact. There are sperm in pre-cum so pregnancy can occur even without ejaculation. Here’s some guidelines for you

Good Luck.

[Isabelle]

Thanks so much for the advise.

[Max_Torque]

Well, if you want to name a brand, I like Lifestyles, but you never know what one guy (and gal) may prefer. It takes experimentation.

[Lynne_kilii]

Condoms are great and all that, but if I were the girlfriend, I would be contemplating planned parenthood for some pill action? More effective? I guess condoms still for STD’s, but…

I’m a girl, and I’m way more comfortable with hormonal birth control than condoms, because you may not always have condoms, and my intense fear of them breaking, or having a hole in them.

K, butting out.

[DeaganTheWolf]

Trojans are my choice, though I hate all of them. I do like that they come in a wide variety of sizes, something that lifestyles does not.

[Cheesesteak]

Lots of agreement with the stuff already written. It’s interesting to note that different condoms feel very different when used, so it’s tough to recommend a brand.

Options include dry condoms with separate lube, lubed condoms, and lube+spermicide. I’ve been there with girls who don’t do well with spermicide, so that’s a bad first choice. I’ve never tried to lube up a dry condom, but think you’re supposed to do the inside and outside so it doesn’t chafe, complicated IMHO. A basic lubed condom is a good everyday condom, it’s got the best combination of usability and utility. I don’t want to be fumbling with lube and a dry condom if I don’t have to, things that are easy to use GET used.

If she’s OK with spermicide, I would use it for that extra level of pregnancy protection, but be aware of the STD thing.