Welcome to condoms.ie

This website tries to provide concise and useful information regarding condoms in general, together with some specific data relating to condoms in Ireland. We try to promote the usage of condoms as they are the only device for sexually active people providing both effective contraception as well as protection from sexually transmitted diseases.

What's a Condom?

A condom is a device (sometimes also referred to as a 'barrier method'), usually made of latex, or more recently polyurethane, that is used during sexual intercourse. Condoms are available for males ('male condoms') as well as females ('female condoms').

Male condoms are put on a male partner's penis, for the purpose of preventing pregnancy and/or transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV. A thin sheath is rolled onto an erect penis before sex and prevents sperm from entering the woman's vagina during sex. Female condoms are made of a thin polyurethane sheath, with two rings. It lines the vagina and the area outside and prevents sperm from entering the woman's vagina during sex.

Condoms are cost-effective (especially when bought online and in bulk, e.g. smartpaddy) and widely available for sale without prescription. Condoms allow both partners to take responsibility for contraception and protection. They can be used with other methods to practice safer sex and to get additional contraceptive protection. Condoms help to protect both partners from sexually transmitted infections including HIV.

Condom Pricewatch Ireland

If you have travelled around Europe, you will have noticed that condoms in Ireland are overpriced. You may have wondered why that's the case. The main reason behind it is the absence of meaningful competition which allows the dominant manufacturer (SSL Healthcare, owner of the Durex brand) and its Irish distributors to command inflated prices. Irish shoppers remain to be relatively brand-loyal. Increasingly though, competing European brands are establishing themselves on the Irish market (Billy Boy, Pasante, Vitalis, Mates, etc). The product quality standards of condoms for sale in the EU is extremely high, as condoms are classified "Medical Devices", and stringent EU requirements exist. Our recommendation: Let the market forces work in order to bring down the prices of condoms in Ireland. Opt for alternative brands. Don't assume that lesser know brands are inferior (because they aren't). Just make sure you buy your condoms from reputable sources. If you do, your condoms will carry the obligatory CE mark. We do not recommend to order condoms from outside the EU or through online auctions.

We have been comparing prices of condoms in Ireland for you, to help you with your purchasing decision. The following table presents a list of mainstream retailers, and a selection of the common condom products, including their retail price. We try to keep the table up-to-date and accurate. Please continue to help us to do so, and email us updates and/or corrections!

Last update: April 2008

Retailer	Product	Price of product (in €)
Tesco	Durex. Box of 12. Gossamer	10.49
	Durex. Box of 12. Elite	12.50
	Durex. Box of 12. Fetherlite	12.28
	Durex. Box of 12. Pleasure pack	16.25
Dunnes	Durex. Box of 12. Gossamer	10.49
	Durex. Box of 12. Fetherlite	12.50
	Durex. Box of 12. Pleasuremax	16.25
	Durex. Box of 12. Performa	16.25
	Durex. Box of 12. Extra Safe	11.72
	Durex. Box of 12. Tingle	16.25
Boots	Durex. Box of 12. Sensation	16.25
	Durex. Box of 12. Extra Safe	11.72
	Durex. Box of 12. Elite	12.50
	Durex. Box of 12. Ribbed	15.22
	Durex. Box of 12. Fetherlite	12.28
	Durex. Box of 12. Tingle	16.25
	Durex. Box of 12. Select	15.11
smartpaddy.ie	Billy Boy. Box of 12. Assortment	8.99
	Vitalis. Box of 12. Any variety	4.99
	Pasante. Box of 12. Most varieties	7.99
	Vitalis. Pack of 100. Any variety	24.99
	Durex. Box of 12. Select	9.39
	Durex. Box of 12. Fetherlite	9.39
	Durex. Box of 12. Elite	9.39
	Durex. Box of 12. Extra Safe	9.39
	Durex. Box of 12. Pleasuremax	10.99
	Durex. Box of 12. Tingle	10.49
	Durex. Box of 12. Pleasure pack	10.49
	Durex. Box of 12. Ribbed	10.49
	Durex. Box of 144. Gossamer	46.99
	Durex. Box of 144. Extra Safe	54.99
	Durex. Box of 144. Performa	54.99

Condom: Facts and Figures

Value-Added-Tax (VAT): In March 2006, the British Chancellor decided to reduce VAT on condoms from previously 17.5% to 5%. In many other countries in the EU, condoms are rated at the lowest possible VAT rate (5%). We wish Irish politicians had the balls...

Since 2004, we've been campaigning for a reduction in VAT rate applicable for condoms. We have supported awareness campaigns (including those organised by the Crisis Pregnancy Agency and various others).

In January 2008 Minister for Finance Brian Cowen published the Finance Bill 2008 which has now been enacted. In the Finance Bill 2008, the Minister announced that the new VAT rate applicable to non oral contraceptive products is reduced from 21% to 13.5%.

While the reduction in VAT rate to 13.5% can be seen as a step in the right direction and a partial victory for the campaign, a further reduction to 5% can and needs to be implemented as swiftly as possible. Therefore, we will not rest, and continue to campaign for the further reduction of VAT on condoms. Help us! Talk to (or write to) your local TD, and find out where he/she stands on this issue.

The VAT charged by the State for condoms unnecessarily and unfairly increases the cost of condoms and penalises users. We believe this is not only short-sighted, but also uneconomical for the State. Treatment of STDs, and dealing with unwanted pregnancies, is costing the national health service hundreds of millions of Euros every year.

What's even more surprising is that an inconsistency exists in the Irish VAT environment. While the the reduced VAT rate of 13.5% is applied to condoms, oral contraception ('the pill') enjoys a 0% VAT rate. This is in the context of both condoms and oral contraception offering similar effectiveness in terms of prevention of unwanted pregnancies, but only condoms prevent from the transmission of STDs.

Condom Usage: Tips and Tricks

While condoms are very easy to use, the following list of tips and tricks should help you to get it right. If you haven't used a condom before, we recommend that you do practice runs, preferably on your own, and carefully study the instructions for use (which can be found in any pack of condoms).

Buy condoms from a reputable source (reputable online e.g. smartpaddy.ie, pharmacy, supermarket)
We do not recommend to buy condoms from unknown sources, e.g. internet auctions, etc. There are plenty of cheap counterfeit condoms in circulation
Buy condoms which fit your size. Try to be realistic about your size. Condoms which are too large for you may slip off.
Choose a retailer which offers condoms in various sizes (from trim/small size, to average, to large)
Choose a trustworthy condom brand (Condomi, Billy Boy, Pasante, Vitalis, Trojan, Durex, etc.)
Practice how to use condoms
Store your condoms in a secure place (cool and dry)
From time to time, check the expiry date of your condoms
Open the condom outer package with care, keep the instructions
Open the condom foil carefully, without damaging the condom
Be careful with jewellery or fingernails, they may damage the condoms
Press the air out of the condom reservoir
Place condom on erect penis
Gently unroll the condom
The unrolled condom must be on the outside
If you got it wrong, and attempted to put the condom on backwards, use a new one (as there may be semen on the outside )
Don't waste your time trying to fit a condom on a flaccid penis
Check that the condom sits securely
Remove soon after use, while penis is still erect
Don't spill the semen, and stop any semen touching your partner
Put the condom in a rubbish bin (wrapped in some tissue)
Look after the environment: Don't flush the used condom down the toilet
Wash your penis with soap and water before embracing your partner again
If semen leaks into the vagina during intercourse, contact your GP or a sexual health clinic. They will be able to provide information regarding emergy contraception (which needs to be started within 72 hours)
Never re-use a condom
If you use lubricants, never use condoms with lubricants which are not approved for the purpose
Never use oil-based lubricants, jellies, creams, Vaseline, etc. as their ingredients will instantly damage the condom.
Be also very careful with oil-based lipsticks!
Use approved lubricants, buy a trustworthy brand (Aquaglide, Bioglide, KY, etc)
Enjoy using condoms! We're sure you will.

Copyright condoms.ie. Condom Pricewatch Ireland. Last update: 18/04/2008. Please report any inaccuracies to us.