Do condoms affect pleasure? Science says no.

Image: American Pie.

“It’s like showering in a raincoat.” “I don’t get as much pleasure.” “It kills my erection.” Hands up if you’ve ever heard these protestations fall out of a man’s mouth the moment a condom wrapper comes into view?

For anyone who doesn’t want to put themselves at risk of an STI (so… that’s all of us?), and who doesn’t want to fall pregnant, putting on a condom is a vital step in the practice of safe sex. Yet there are grown men out there who try to bypass it, using the excuse it impairs their sexual performance and robs them of pleasure.

If you’ve always suspected this was complete bullshit (yep, us too) you’ll be pleased to know science is on your side. Sorry, men.

According to the results of a new study in The Journal of Sexual Medicine, heterosexual men who blame condoms for difficulties during sex are more likely to experience general erectile dysfunction than those who don’t.

As The Daily Beast reports, researchers surveyed approximately 500 men aged between 18 and 24. Of this group, 38 per cent reported no effect of condoms on their performance, while 32 per cent said condoms affected their ability to maintain an erection. (Post continues after gallery.)

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It turns out the men who reported condom-associated erection problems were significantly more likely to also report erection issues during sexual encounters when they weren’t wearing a condom. The study authors speculate there could be a couple of reasons for this.

“[M]en who first experience loss of erection when they use condoms might worry about [difficulty] experiencing erections more generally,” they write, adding that this concern could make men more vulnerable to erectile problems.

The proper use of condoms could also be a contributing factor. Interestingly, a number of the subjects reported erectile difficulties during the process of putting on a condom — and a third of those surveyed said they’d never been taught how to use a condom correctly, which is kind of alarming.

Don't let anyone try to talk you out of safe sex.

Putting on a condom can be a little fiddly at the best of times, so it's understandable that lacking confidence in this area could make a man feel a bit nervous or self-conscious.

That said, it's no excuse for attempting to talk a partner out of practicing safe sex and, in the process, putting their health at risk. Men do experience erectile difficulties, so rather than pointing the finger at condoms, it's important to see a doctor to explore why it might be occurring and what can be done to resolve it.

This isn't the first time researchers have investigated whether condoms affect the quality of sex; in 2013, a study team analysed data from more than 1600 men and women whose most recent sexual event involved intercourse. (Post continues after video.)

When it came to factors like sexual arousal, ease of erection, pleasure and orgasm, there wasn't a whole lot of difference between those who had worn condoms and those who hadn't, although the use of lubricant with or without a condom did influence results among men.

So next time a guy tries to convince you to let him go bareback because condoms don't feel as good, simply respond with the timeless wisdom of the Spice Girls: "Be a little bit wiser, baby. Put it on, put it on."

Has a man ever tried to talk you out of using condoms?

Popular forms of birth control

Contraceptive pillThe Pillis the most popular form of birth control. There are two types: the combined pill, containing two hormones, and theprogestogen-only, or mini, pill, which only contains one female hormone. The combined pill works by preventing the ovary from releasing an egg each month. The mini pill changes the mucus at the entrance of the uterus, which stops sperm from entering. Both are 99.7% effective; however, they don't offer protection from STDs.

Intrauterine deviceIUDs are small, T-shaped devices that are inserted into the uterus by a doctor in order to prevent pregnancy. There are two types of IUD: copper, which affects the movement and survival of sperm in the womb while changing the lining of the womb;and hormonal, which releases progestogen (a synthetic version of the naturally-occurring hormone progesterone) into the uterus. Although IUDs have a success rate of more than 99%, only around 2% of Australian women currently use one.

CondomsThe male condom is a barrier contraception that prevents both pregnancy and the transmission of STDs. They work by collecting semen so it doesn't enter theman's partner's body. Condoms are 95 to 99% effective at preventing pregnancy.

The female condomThe female condom is a pre-lubricated sheath, which loosely fits inside of the vagina. The condom has a removable ring, which helps to insert the sheath and keep the condom in place. A larger ring remains on the outside to cover the opening of the vagina. They are designed to fit all women and can only to be used once. Due to misuse of the product it is only 79 per cent effective.

DiaphragmLike the male condom, the diaphragm is a barrier method of contraception. It's a shallow silicone dome that's inserted into the vagina andcovers the cervix, which is the entrance to the uterus. It's held in place by the pelvic muscles, and works by preventing sperm from entering the uterus. After sex, diaphragms need to remain in placefor another six hours, in which time the sperm inside the vagina die. This method is 88 to 94% effective at preventing pregnancy, although this rate increases with experience.

Birth control implantThis is a 4cm-longimplant that is inserted into a woman's upper arm, just under the skin, by a doctor. It releases a hormone called etonogestrel, which prevents ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix, which can stop sperm from entering. Contraceptive implants - usually sold as Implanon - are removed under anaesthetic every three years, and are close to 100% effective.

Vaginal ringVaginal rings are soft plastic rings that contain the same two hormones as the combined pill - oestrogen and progestogen. The ring is inserted into the vagina, where the hormones are absorbed into the body and then prevent the ovaries from releasing eggs. Once inside the ring can't be felt, and it needs replacing every three weeks (with one week's break in between). When used correctly, this method is more than 99% effective.

Depo ProveraDepo is a long lasting hormonal injection. The synthetic form of progesterone is administered every 12 to 14 weeks to woman, preventing pregnancy within this ongoing time period. The injection, which is given in the buttock or muscle of the upper arm, prevents ovulation and thickens the mucus in the cervix, helping to block sperm. The injections are 99 per cent effective but do not protect against STDs. Male contraceptive injections are currently being trialled

The morning after pillEmergency contraception (popularly referred to as the morning after pill) is used to prevent a pregnancy following unprotected sex. Other reasons include missing a contraceptive pill or a condom breaking. It is common in Australia to use the progestogen-only method. This entails a dosage of EC pills containing progestogen or the synthetic version. A doctor can prescribe the pill or they can be bought over the counter at a pharmacy without a prescription. Emergency contraceptionis 85 per cent effective in reducing the risk of pregnancy.

SterilisationSterilisation is a permanent form of contraception. For women there are two types of sterilisation: tubal ligation, in which clips are placed on the fallopian tubes, or tubal occlusion in which a device is inserted into the tubes. These methods work by preventing the sperm from reaching the egg. Tubal litigation is 99.5 per cent effective. The Vasectomy (for men) works by cutting and blocking the tubes called the vas deferens, preventing sperm from leaving the testicles. The chances of impregnation with a vasectomy are 1 in 1000.

Tags: condom , contraception , sex

We have bad news for men who reckon condoms "ruin sex" for them.

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Popular forms of birth control