Ultimate Amore

Picking out condoms can be a fun experience, yet with so many kinds on the market, how do you choose between the different condom types? An important thing to consider is whether or not you plan to use the condom as a contraceptive or if you are just want to use it for sex play. If you need a condom for protection, make sure to read the condom label to see if it is FDA approved for use against unplanned pregnancy and STDs. Also, make sure to check the expiration date to make sure that the condom is safe to use. Here are some of the different types of condoms available.

Night Light: Glow-In-The-Dark Condom
This particular brand is the only FDA approved glow-in-the-dark condom that is intended to prevent pregnancy and STDs. The Night Light condom is non-toxic and will glow after about 30 seconds of exposure to ordinary light (be sure to do expose it to the light before putting it on). The Night Light Glow-In-The-Dark Condom is made of three layers. The inner and the outer layer consist of regular latex while the third layer contains a safe pigment that begins to glow and is sealed between the two latex layers. This condom makes for a fun surprise.

Flavored Condoms
Many condom brands claim that their condoms have great flavors and tantalizing aromas. The flavor may be contained in the lubricant or directly on the condom. Some flavored condoms are even colored to match the flavor (such as red for strawberry flavor, yellow for banana). Flavors can include mint, grape, orange, banana, strawberry, and even chocolate, vanilla, and cola. These condoms are meant to add a yummy dimension to oral sex, and many of the brands are also FDA approved for strength and protection. If you are planning to use these condoms for vaginal sex, make sure they are sugar -free as sugar flavored condoms can throw off the pH in the vagina, which can lead to yeast infections.

Studded Condoms
These condoms are shaped and textured to increase pleasure for either the female, male or both partners (depending on where the raised studs and/or ribs are). Some of these condoms have two sections of ribs, on the top and at the base, which adds stimulation in just the right place for females. Others contain hundreds of raised studs, on the outside for female satisfaction and/or on the inside to enhance male enjoyment. The condoms that are marketed for mutual pleasure tend to be wider, have bulb-like tips, and a more contoured shape, which increase male comfort and allow nerve endings to remain at their most sensitive state (thus adding significantly more pleasure for him). Make sure to check for FDA approval (most are).

Warming Condoms
These condoms tend to be made of thinner latex, which helps to heighten sensation. Warming condoms are designed to enhance sensual pleasure through the release of gentle, warm sensations for both partners. They contain a warming lubricant that is activated by natural body moisture, so it heats up during sexual intercourse.

Edible Condoms
There are different brands of edible condoms that you can choose from. They usually come in packs of four and are available in a variety of flavors. The condom is rolled on, and then can be eaten off! Edible condoms are for novelty use only -- they do not provide any type of protection against pregnancy or sexually transmitted diseases.

Pleasure Shaped
The idea behind pleasure-shaped condoms is that they tend to be looser with enlarged, pouch-like tips. These wider tops allow for more friction because the extra latex stimulates the nerve endings at the tip of the penis. Some of these condoms, like the Inspiral brand or the Trojan Magnum Twister, also introduce a winding, twisting shape that allows for more vigorous action. This type of design stimulates nerve endings and heightens sensitivity for both women and men.

Colored Condoms
Condoms are available in almost every color; in fact, you can even find tri-colored condoms that feature the national colors of 36 countries, such as America, France, Spain, Russia and Italy. Dual-color condoms are also available, which may be fun to use during the holidays – like a black and orange condom for Halloween, red and green for Christmas, and pink and red condom for your Valentine. Many of the colored varieties of condoms are FDA approved for the prevention of pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, so make sure to read the label on the condom.

Kiss of Mint Condoms
These condoms, are non-lubricated and are coated with a mint flavored powder that provides a sweet spearmint taste. Although these condoms tend to be a real favorite for safe oral sex, they are FDA approved for pregnancy protection as well. These condoms tend to be a little bit wider than average condoms and have a flared, reservoir tip (it balloons out a bit) which allows for heightened male sensation.

French Ticklers
These condoms either have a soft rubber tickler tip or are made of soft jelly. Tickler condoms fit over the penis and come in various styles of nodules, nubs, and ridges and shapes that provide stimulation by "tickling" the inner walls of the vagina. These condoms are considered to be novelty types, so they do not provide prevention of pregnancy or disease. Perfect for couples where the woman is using a hormonal or permanent birth control method. If not, a man can wear a regular condom underneath the tickler to ensure contraceptive protection.

Tingling Pleasure Condoms
Some condoms contain a safe spearmint tingling lubricant as well as a minty scent. These condoms are formulated to provide an intensifying, tingling experience for both partners.