Choosing a condom wasn’t always complicated. There was a time when a condom was just a piece of latex that covered the penis to avoid pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Now they are made of different materials: some come with lubricants, some are flavored—why even women have a condom now. Just like any technology, though, new features do not always mean that there’s an improvement. So in an attempt to sift through all the gimmicks and find out what it all means, it’s time to get reacquainted with the condom.

The first step in choosing a condom is deciding on the material. Latex is the most common material used to make condoms. The benefit of a latex condom is they provide the best protection in STD and pregnancy prevention. They are also extremely elastic, making them hard to break. The downside to latex is that they have a short shelf life, have low heat conduction and some people are allergic to latex.

Polyurethane is a newer material used in condom production. They are thinner and fit looser than latex, which allows for more sensation; however, they are slightly more likely to slip and break and they’re slightly less effective in pregnancy and STD prevention.

An organic material used to make condoms comes from lambskin. Made from the membrane in lamb intestines, they are the best material to transmit warmth and sensation and are fine for preventing pregnancy though they are not rated as an effective way to prevent STDs since the pores in the membrane are large enough to let STDs pass through.

The newest material to hit the condom world is Tactylon. Made out of the same material used for surgical gloves, Tactylon is similar in elasticity to latex. It comes in three designs. The standard design is virtually identical to reservoir-tipped latex condoms and is FDA approved. The second type is a low-modulus design, which means that it has more elasticity than latex, which is also approved by the FDA. Lastly is the “baggy” condom, which has a larger width than a normal condom but is not yet approved by the FDA. This material was experimented with in the late 90s but has not yet hit the market in America.

Some condoms have spermicides contained on the condom called Nonoxynol 9. It was previously thought that Nonoxynol 9 helped prevent the transmission of STDs. However, that was proven false. In fact people with an allergic reaction to Nonoxynol 9 are more at risk since it can cause little sores that STDs can pass through. They also have a shorter shelf life and may cause urinary tract infections in women.

Another standard feature that needs a decision is the choice between a lubricated or non-lubricated condom. Lubricated condoms are designed to try to make the condom easier to apply. Non-lubricated condoms are good for people who are allergic to the lubrication. When applying a lubricant to a condom, it is important to know that only water-based lubricants are recommended on latex. Oil-based lubricants such as Vaseline and cold cream react chemically with latex and can break it down. Oil lubricants can be used on polyurethane condoms. A newer form of lubricant is silicone-based, which can be safely used with condoms though not with anything made of silicone as it will degrade it.

Size is also important when choosing a condom. Long, short, wide or narrow, there are condoms for every different size and shape. When the box specifies large or small, it is usually in reference to width and not length.

Function though is no longer the only thing to look at when choosing a condom. Some condoms are also designed to enhance sex. Condoms that are ribbed have ridges running around the sides. These are designed to enhance sex for both partners. There are also now condoms with a dome-shaped tip, which provides more friction. In addition there are condoms with a bulge on the bottom of the tip and condoms with bulges on the top and the bottom, designed to hit specific nerves in both men and women.

Condoms now even have different flavors. Since sexually transmitted diseases are also passed orally and not everyone enjoys the smell and taste of latex, a few manufacturers have designed flavored condoms. These flavors are as varied as mint, orange, chocolate, vanilla, cola and even curry. It is important to exercise caution when using a flavored condom. Since it is a novelty product not all of them are FDA approved as a way to prevent pregnancy and STDs. Flavored condoms are only recommended for oral sex, not vaginal or anal.

There are even condoms that have a chemical to delay ejaculation. These condoms are lubricated on the inside with the chemical benzocaine, which functions as a numbing agent. It doesn’t completely remove the sensation but to take away just enough sensation to help him last longer.

Different colors are also used to try to sell condoms. They are found in red, green, black, some have several colors, one even glows in the dark. The Night Light glow-in-the-dark condom consists of a layer of latex which has a glowing pigment in it sandwiched between two layers of regular latex. The glow pigment is non-toxic and the condom is FDA approved as a way to prevent against STDs and pregnancy. Different-colored condoms usually protect from disease and pregnancy but it’s important to always check to make sure.

Some of the newest innovations that have emerged in the world of condoms are vibrating rings. The ring fits at the base of any condom and has a built in clitoral stimulator. It runs for up to 30 minutes and is recommended for one or two uses. It is powered by a watch battery inside a silicone shell and is good for 1-2 uses.

Another way condom manufacturers are trying to enhance sex as well as provide protection is by adding a warming lubricant. When body moisture is released, the lubricant on the condom is activated which then begins to warm. These condoms are also modified with ribbed sides and a domed head.

Some condom designers focused on ease when making their product. Pullitt has made a condom that goes on in a second. Once the condom is placed on the tip of the penis a tab on the top of the condom is pulled down unrolling the condom in an instant. 

One of the best condoms on the market made famous from their use in porn movies is the Crown Skinless Skin Condom. Made in Japan, these condoms are extremely thin yet extremely strong and have a pink shading to them to help them blend in with the pink flesh color of skin. They are made slightly larger than average size.

One of the newer additions to the condom family, the female condom, is about to celebrate its 15th year of availability in the United States. The female condom is made from polyurethane and is about 6.5 inches long. It looks like a very wide normal condom, except there is a flexible ring located at both ends of the condom. To apply, the ring at the enclosed end is folded and then inserted into the vagina. It is then pushed up from the inside where the ring then unfolds keeping the condom in place. The open ring stays on the outside to prevent the condom from bunching up during intercourse. One of the biggest criticisms of the female condom is that its application is more complicated than the male condom, which is applied by pinching the tip then unrolling down the shaft of the penis. However, unlike the male condom, the female condom can be inserted up to 8 hours before intercourse instead of right before which eliminates the break in the mood. Since it is made of polyurethane, it is okay to use oil-based lubricants and like other polyurethane condoms the failure rate is slightly higher than a regular condom.

One product in development right now is a molecular condom. It begins as a liquid made of microbicides, which are chemicals designed to protect against HIV, which is then applied to the inside of the vagina. Once inside, the higher temperatures would transform the liquid into a thin layer of gel. When it comes into contact with semen, it would return to liquid form which carries anti-HIV chemicals.

There are many condoms out on the market today. They are no longer simply used as a pregnancy and STD prevention tool. They are also used as enhancers, novelty items and entertainment. The most important thing to take into consideration is what the condom needs to accomplish. Is pregnancy a fear? Are ST’s? Is more sensation needed? Is less? Although there are many options, as long as you know what you need them for the decision isn’t too difficult.