Just about every man has at one point or another complained about using a condom. For some, the condom makes the penis insensitive, and unfeeling of its presence inside the vagina, both partners end up more frustrated than sexually pleased. Other men simply can’t find a condom that fits. They can be too tight, cutting off the penis’ blood supply, or too wide, which can cause them to slip off during sex — good luck looking for that inside the vagina. In part, these problems have arisen from the mass production of condoms, which are made to fit the average erect penis at 4.7 to 6.3 inches long and 4.7 inches around.

Despite the problems that may arise from using condoms, renditions of them have been used for centuries. From preventing syphilis and gonorrhea to pregnancy and HIV/AIDS, our ancestors knew the deal when it came to sex. Safe sex is always better, even if it doesn’t feel that way. How is that possible? Well, if you look at what condoms used to look like, then you might just appreciate what we have today, and what’s to come, more.

Condom
Condoms have gone through some epic changes over the past few thousand years. Photo courtesy of Shutterstock