Condoms have the side-effect of diminishing the sensation to the penis, both temperature and friction. I found that this could be addressed partially with Astroglide (or something similar) and more expensive condoms, but it's still an imperfect solution.

Gia has told me that she doesn't have a preference one way or the other and I haven't had an opportunity to do a side-by-side comparison and discussion with anyone else.

So I was interested to learn that other women can tell the difference. Would anyone care to expand on that?

Totally can tell the difference.

Without the condom, the penis feels much warmer when it touches the skin, plus it just feels nicer as there's more skin on skin contact (like if you shave/wax all the way). Actually, I was shocked to realise how HOT the penis's head is when it touched me. I'd never felt that with the condom.

Also, since there's no condom to isolate all the juices from the penis, everything is moister, which ios not opnly more pleasurable, but also more practical if you're having a long shag. I find with condoms afer a while it's too dry.

That's all my personal experience, though, I've actually never talked to other people about it. (Also, my experience without a condom is based only on one guy.)

The thing that's weird is that while Clover's right, it's moister without one (and man, "moister" is a weird word, isn't it?), the woman feels more friction without one. Or, at least, this woman does. I haven't compared notes on this before, either. Basically, a penis in a condom feels a lot more like a dildo, which makes sense, as it's coated in rubber.

I don't have a big preference one way or the other, honestly. But it's very different, and I can see how people would.

I have a pretty big dislike for condoms.

Agreeing in bits with both clover and Jocelyn, there's definitely a big difference in the way a penis covered in rubber feels as opposed to a penis au naturale.

The majority of items in my "box of stuff" are silicone based, so sex with a condom tends to feel more like masturbation as opposed to actual intercourse.

I've found that condoms also chafe slightly, and can leave me pretty sore afterwards. It's definitely not a lube problem but I've never bothered to find out if I'm the only one with that problem.

Are you sure it's chafing, smalltown, and not a slight allergy to the silicone? If it's not a lube problem, then I'd start looking that direction.

I'm allergic to Trojan brand condoms. The first time I used them I thought I had contracted some horrible disease, went to the doc in a panic. "Switch brands" she told me. HEY! Much better after that.

Like i said before, definately a difference. While, naturally, I've mostly used condoms for the obvious reasons and they do have their plus points, if i could choose I'd prefer without. Condoms tend to dry out. During a longer session i've sometimes gone through three, because it got very uncomfortable. Some brands (and that includes the brands you can easily get at supermarkets) simply *stink* of perfumed rubber. (Obviously i have strong preferences as to the brands i use. Most are awful) They do dumb down the sensation. And (as this is FW i can say this) decrease friction so with the more endowed you get your cervix bumped rather than you're actually getting stimulated.

These are ofcourse relatively minor issues and definately do not weigh up against the risks of going without one. Also some issues can be solved simply by buying good brands that you're comfortable with, put them in their box and keep em with you, so you never have to use the s***t that you get from machines and is over the sell-by date half the time, or the stuff from the supermarket that's smelly.
In a perfect world however i'd go without.

Crisp packet + rubber band. Sorted.

yeah, the friction thing is interesting - initially there's less of it, then that changes and suddenly, usually in the blink of an eye, there's far too much and it's all a bit uncomfortable.

and i agree that the sensation is so much more impersonal - as smalltown said, condoms make sex feel a bit more like masturbation.

AND! (because it's FW, i feel i can say this too...) if you're prone to elongated sessions in bed with several "goes", there is NOTHING less sexy than the taste of a penis that has just had a condom on it. EW YUK VILE GAG HORRIBLE.

quote:

AND! (because it's FW, i feel i can say this too...) if you're prone to elongated sessions in bed with several "goes", there is NOTHING less sexy than the taste of a penis that has just had a condom on it. EW YUK VILE GAG HORRIBLE

OH GOD. It had been so long I had forgotten but you are SO COMPLETELY RIGHT! BLECH!

I found a box that not only has flavor on both sides of the condom, but they come in nice girly scents. Now the penis can smell like a flower...

Jeez I wish I was joking

Can only speak for myself, but the only reason I have ever chosen condoms is peace of mind when with a new partner. At least until I am sure he doesn't have monsters living in his penis. Siding with the other ladies, very impersonal feeling with one, and high tendency to chafing which hurts!

Fins, I was just about to post abput the taste too (and having to go through several condoms for longer sessions)

Hey, let's not forget condom taste goes both ways. Muff takes on latex tint too.

okay, *that* they did not tell us in Catholic school.

quote:

Originally posted by Murphy:
Hey, let's not forget condom taste goes both ways. Muff takes on latex tint too.

And then it is passed on other people's lips. They should really do something about that. (I tried a chocolate-flavoured one once. It was still latexy and rubbery and disgusting, plsu it had a fake cocoa layer of taste to boot.)

"Introducing new flesh-flavored condoms! Made from real flesh!"

quote:

Originally posted by Big Flinchy!:
"Introducing new flesh-flavored condoms! Made from real flesh!"

Okay, that's... disturbing. But they do kindof exist.

The powdery thing is an issue with almost anything made of latex. Anyone used the non-latex kind? I'm a little too vegan to have ever considered the lamb ones, but I tried a polyurethane one and I didn't like it at all. It felt very "plasticy" and it also came off.

quote:

Originally posted by cloverheart:

quote:

Originally posted by Murphy:
(I tried a chocolate-flavoured one once. It was still latexy and rubbery and disgusting, plsu it had a fake cocoa layer of taste to boot.)

I'm coo-coo for Cocoa Muffs, coo-coo for ...

You want to get the real Belgian chocolate ones, not the waxy Tootsie-rollish ones.

How about Candy Cane? Mmm ... stripey!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: the other duncan,

oh thanks so very much, now I have to clean the monitor...

Shoulda worn a condom.