We speak to five women who decided they’ve had enough of condoms ruining their sex lives and have ditched them for good
The global market is expected to be worth more than £4billion by 2018, but not everyone is a fan
CONDOMS have been around for thousands of years, with evidence dating back as far as 1220 BC.
And they are sure to be around for a fair few more years yet, with the global market expected to be worth more than £4billion by 2018.
But not everyone is a fan. Here we talk to five women who have decided, with their partners, to ditch condoms when having sex.
Psychologist Dr Petra Boynton says there are few genuine reasons for not wearing a condom.
She says: “If you have unprotected sex, you’re at risk of catching an STI and dealing with an unwanted pregnancy.
“Only a very small number of people are allergic, and you could try non-latex condoms.”
'They rip easily and can cost over £10 a pack'
ADMINISTRATOR Hannah, 26, from Guildford, Surrey, reckons condoms are too expensive.
She says: "It shouldn’t always be up to the guy to buy condoms, so I’ve always prided myself on having them in my handbag. But they’re pretty expensive. Some can be upwards of £10 a pack. They’re easy to rip too, so you can end up using a few.
"I’ve tried all kinds over the years, even the ultra-thin, featherlight kinds, and they’re uncomfortable.
"I’ve been with my boyfriend James for about seven months now and, about a month after we got together we chose to stop using them in favour of the Pill.
"I’d always advocate them at the start of a relationship. Nothing else protects against an STI. But when you’re in a loving relationship there are plenty more enjoyable and cheaper methods of birth control."
'GP said my rashes were caused by the latex'
GEMMA, 32, a stay-at-home mum from Chesterfield, Derbys, is allergic to condoms. She says:
"I kept getting rashes and itching after sex in my late teens but never connected it with condoms. When I was 21 and with a new partner, we stopped using condoms in favour of the Pill.
"But after a few months with him, I was diagnosed with a blood disorder which stopped me using the Pill and meant we had to use condoms. The troubles returned and I went to the doctor – and he suggested it could be an allergy to latex or the lubrication on condoms.
"I tried different ones but to no avail. Eventually I stopped using them, in favour of the implant and the troubles stopped. When I got together with my fiancé Michael I had to explain I had an allergy.
"I suspect there are a lot of women out there with undiagnosed allergies to latex or the lubricants on condoms.
'They often split, maybe we're too passionate'
UNEMPLOYED Louise, 41, from Brough, East Yorks, finds that condoms often broke. She says:
"When I got together with my partner Jon earlier this year, we used condoms but found they always split. Maybe we were a little too passionate.
"I’ve got unexplained infertility so we decided, soon after getting together, not to use them. We’d both like a baby and, while the chances are slim, neither of us likes condoms so it made sense.
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"Sex feels much better and you don’t have to worry about taking them off and disposing of them, which can ruin the post-coital glow.
"Condoms are great at protecting against STIs and I’ve been with partners in the past who insisted on them. But I much prefer the sensation of skin.
"I trust Jon and we’re both faithful, so because I can’t get pregnant it seems pointless to use them."
'They're plasticky, weird and spoil the sensation'
DRIVING instructor Chloe Louise, 24, from Pontefract, West Yorks, believes condoms “ruin the moment”. She says:
"There’s something unnatural about a condom which spoils what should be a natural event. Sex is about connecting with someone you love in the most intimate way. A condom doesn’t let that happen.
"They feel plasticky and weird and ruin the warmth and sensation of sex – not to mention having to deal with them afterwards.
"I’ve been with my husband Jake for four years. We used them when we first got together but soon afterwards we ditched them in favour of the injection.
"If I wasn’t married or in a long-term relationship, I’d use them again to ensure I didn’t get an STI.
"But for me and Jake they ruin the moment, both at the start and the end. They feel unnatural. Our connection is much better without one."
'They interrupt the fun and ruin the moment'
SOPHIE, 22, a barista from Chesterfield, Derbys, thinks condoms are “a passion killer”. She says:
"I know they protect against STIs but for me, a condom always ruins the moment.
"It’s not something you raise straight away when you start kissing because it sounds presumptuous that you’ll have sex. Then there’s the delay in action while your partner puts one on.
"There’s always the little bit where you try to get back into it afterwards and then when it’s over there’s the disposing of it.
"There’s absolutely nothing at all romantic or passionate about using them and all they do is interrupt the moment.
"I’ve been with my partner Chris for over a year and while we used one briefly at the beginning, we agree they are a passion killer. In a new relationship they’re a good idea – you can’t be too careful, but there are many other options."