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Home > Safer Sex > Lubricated Condom

Lubricated condoms, such as Crowns, are simply male condoms with lubricant applied. The use of a lubricated condom rather than an unlubricated condom can help decrease friction during vaginal or anal sex, which can otherwise rupture the condom. The use of an unlubricated condom is often preferred when performing oral sex on a male so as not to taste the lubricant, but there is no harm in tasting the lubricant on a condom. Flavored condoms offer another alternative to the taste of normal lubricant while performing oral sex on a male, and they come in a variety of different flavors. One should be careful when using flavored condoms, however, because not all flavored lubricants are safe for vaginal sex (see lubricant). SSIS sells both Durex Pure Protection (unlubricated) and Trustex Flavored condoms (flavored), and they are both safe for oral, vaginal, and anal sex.

Many lubricated condoms also come with a spermicide in the lubrication, generally nonoxynol-9. This decreases the chance of conception if the condom breaks, tears, or any semen is spilled due to loss of erection. The use of a spermicide (on a condom, in addition to a condom, or both with a condom) is much more effective against contraception than the use of a condom without spermicide. For people who are allergic to spermicides, it is better to use a condom without spermicidal lubrication.

One can also lubricate a condom with a separate lubricant, as long as it is not oil-based. SSIS sells Astroglide, which is water-based like that used on the lubricated condoms that SSIS sells. Premium's colored condoms and non-spermicidal condoms have a silicone-based lubricant that is also safe to use with latex.