Dear Alice,
爱丽丝您好，
I've never bought condoms before. I'm a smart shopper, I look at things like quality and value when I buy anything and I want to do the same with my condom purchases. But I don't know what to look for!!! And I'm not sure I'm ballsy enough to walk up to the pharmacist and ask, "Now, tell me, if your daughter were having sex, which brand of condom would you want her to use with her boyfriend?"
我从没买过避孕套。我是个精明的顾客，当我购物时我会挑那些价廉物美的商品，所以我想在买避孕套时也这么做。但我根本不知道该怎么挑。更杯具的是我压根没胆走过去跟药剂师说：“嘿，如果你女儿正在跟你未来女婿xx，你希望她用哪个牌子的套套？”
I want a really effective condom, that doesn't, like, smell weird or fit poorly or anything. And I don't want to whip it out and have my man laughing at it.
我想买个真正好用的避孕套，不要是那种闻起来很丑或者用起来不合适之类。而且我不希望把它拿出来的时候我的伙伴们会笑话我。
Who do I ask for advice on this??? Where do I go?
谁能给我些建议？我该怎么做？
Dear Reader,
读者您好，
Kudos to you for applying your smart shopper standards to your future condom purchases. So many different brands of condoms are available on the market that making a decision about which type to purchase can be overwhelming.
你能以精挑细选的方式来选择避孕套值得称赞。市场上避孕套的品牌种类繁多，要从中挑选出一款并不容易。
Before we get into the nitty gritty details of condom selection, it's important that you know in the United States, latex condom manufacturers must follow FDA standards, meaning that every condom is checked for defects using electronic testing before it is packaged. Additionally, the FDA checks samples from every batch by performing water-leak or airburst tests. (Ironically, condoms are not tested the way they are used, i.e., there are no friction tests!) So, no matter which brand or type of condoms you settle on, you can be confident the condoms will be effective if you use them correctly and consistently.
在我们介绍避孕套选择的细节之前，你必须清楚，在美国乳胶避孕套的生产商必须遵循FDA（美国食品和药品管理局）标准，这意味着每个避孕套在包装之前都用电子设备进行了缺陷检查。另外，FDA对每一批避孕套的样品进行液体渗漏和充气爆炸检测。（讽刺的是，避孕套的使用性能并未被检测，比如，没有耐摩检测。（注：这个检测想必会有很多男性志愿者报名……））因此，无论是你选哪种品牌和型号的避孕套，只要你正确并且从始至终使用套套，那么你就不必担心它的效果。
When making male condom selections, you will need to consider the types of material, lubrication, size, texture, and novelty (flavors, etc.) that work best for you and your partner. Here is a rundown on all your choices:
当你挑选男用避孕套时，你需要考虑最适合你和伴侣的材料类型、润滑油、尺寸、质感和特色（比如口味等）。这些是你选择时要考虑的内容。
Material
材料
Latex: The majority of condoms manufactured and used in the U.S. are made of latex (a substance tapped from rubber trees). This option has the widest selection of brands and types, is the least expensive, and is the most well-researched and regulated type of condom. Remember that latex condoms can only be used with water- or silicone-based lubricants (no oil, petroleum jelly, or lotion, please!). Some people are allergic to latex and may consider using polyurethane condoms instead.
乳胶：美国境内生产和使用的大部分避孕套由乳胶（一种割开橡胶树提取的材料）制成。以乳胶制成的避孕套可供选择的品牌和型号最为广泛，价格最低而且研究透彻、制作规范。切记，乳胶避孕套只能与水性或者硅酮润滑油一同使用（请不要与从石油提炼出的润滑油、凡士林、洗液（注：比如洁尔阴，碱性洗液会溶解橡胶）同时使用）。有些人对乳胶过敏，那可以考虑用聚氨酯避孕套替代。
Polyurethane: Made from a synthetic material similar to plastic, polyurethane male and female condoms are recommended for people who are allergic or sensitive to latex. Clear in color, not as elastic as latex (kind of like a thin sandwich bag), and wider than the average sized condom, they can also be used with water- or silicone-based lubricants. Additionally, the material conducts heat well, creating more sensation during sex. Research shows that polyurethane male condoms are effective in pregnancy and STI prevention — nearly as effective as latex condoms. The Female Condom is made from polyurethane as well, and is also available where condoms are sold.
聚氨酯：和塑料类似，聚氨酯是人工合成材料，以这种材料制成的男用和女用避孕套适合于对乳胶过敏的人群。这种套套是透明的，弹性不如乳胶那么好（用起来就像薄薄的三明治夹在中间），比一般尺寸的套套宽，也可以与水性或者硅酮润滑油一同使用。另外，这种材料导热性很好，在xx时可以获得更多体验。研究发现男用聚氨酯避孕套对防止怀孕和性病传染（注：STI=Sexually Transmitted Infection 性病传播感染）有效——几乎和乳胶避孕套同样有效。女用避孕套也是由聚氨酯制成，购买之后就可以使用。
Lambskin: Condoms made of lambskin (the intestine of a lamb) are the oldest type of condoms. These condoms, or "skins," are effective in preventing pregnancy, but NOT in preventing STIs or HIV transmission. Lambskin condoms may offer a more natural feel and can be used with both water-based and oil-based lube (unlike latex), but are quite expensive, and again, do not offer protection against infections.
羊皮：以羊皮（实际上是羊的肠子）制成的避孕套是最为古老的避孕套种类。这些套套，或者说“表皮”，对于防止怀孕有效，但无法阻止性病和艾滋病的传播。羊皮避孕套可以带来更为自然的感受，并且无论是水性或者油性的润滑油都适用（不同于乳胶），但是非常昂贵，并且再次强调，这种套套无法阻止感染疾病。
Lubrication
润滑油
Non-lubricated: These condoms are most useful for oral sex and for people with allergies or sensitivities to lubricants.
未润滑：这类避孕套最适合于口交以及对润滑油过敏的人群。
Lubricated: Condoms with a water-based or silicone-based lubricant coating can ease penetration and minimize friction and the risk of breakage. To add your own water- or silicone-based lubricant, apply a couple of drops to the inside of the condom before it is rolled onto the penis, and then add more to the outside of the condom.
已润滑：带有水性或者硅酮润滑油涂层的避孕套可以使插入更为容易，它能使摩擦和套套破损的风险降到最低。自行涂抹水性或者硅酮润滑油时，插入前先在套套里面滴两滴，然后在外面涂上更多润滑油。
Spermicidally lubricated: Originally, Non-oxynol-9 (N-9) was thought to reduce sperm mobility and thus prevent pregnancy. However, research shows there's not actually enough N-9 on the condom to prevent pregnancy. Recent research has also found that N-9 can cause irritation and small sores in some people, and therefore may actually facilitate HIV transmission. The bottom line? You're better off avoiding condoms with N-9.
杀精润滑油：一般来说，壬苯醇醚（N-9）用于降低精子活性从而防止怀孕。然而，研究发现实际上避孕套并没有足够的N-9以阻止怀孕。最近的研究也表明N-9可导致女性疼痛感，并使一部分人出现炎症，反而可能会助长了艾滋病的传播。总而言之，你最好不要用涂有N-9的避孕套。
Size
尺寸
Most condoms are manufactured as one-size-fits-all. The standard sizes and the tightness of the elastic rings, however, vary by manufacturer. Condoms generally fit men whose erect penis is average sized — anywhere from four to seven inches when erect. Some condoms are "snugger fit," while others are "larger sized." It makes sense to purchase a variety to see what is appealing and fits. A snug yet comfortable fit decreases the chances that a condom will slip off during intercourse.
大多数避孕套的尺寸可以适合所有人。然而标准尺寸和橡胶圈的松紧程度因制造商而有所不同。避孕套一般适合男性生殖器勃起后的平均尺寸——一般是4英寸至7英寸。一些避孕套是“超薄紧缚型”，另外还有“大尺寸型”。很有必要在购买时考虑哪一种型号更具吸引力并且更合身。紧缚而且舒适的型号可以降低活塞运动中套套滑落的可能性。
Texture
质感
When reading condom packaging, brands list descriptive terms, such as "ultra thin," "sensitive," "high sensation," or "extra strength." Some people prefer thinner condoms that allow for more sensation. Others prefer thicker condoms to feel more secure (although studies have shown that "ultrathin" condoms are just as effective as regular condoms). Other choices include "ribbed" or "studded" condoms, which are designed to give one or both partners' increased pleasure. The use of these different types of textures is a matter of personal preference; there have not been studies that rate the relative effectiveness. All condoms that are intended for intercourse, however, are FDA-approved and meet the agency's standards of effectiveness.
当阅读避孕套外包装时，每个品牌都会有描述词汇，例如“超薄型”、“敏感型”、“激情型”或者“强力型”。有些人喜欢可以带来更多感受的超薄套套。还有些人喜欢厚一点的，感觉上更可靠些（其实研究显示“超薄”避孕套和普通的一样有效）。此外还有“螺纹型”或者“颗粒型”避孕套可供选择，这类套套是为增加一方或者双方的快感而设计。对这些不同质感套套的挑选纯属个人喜好，也未曾有针对这些套套有效性的排名研究。所有这些避孕套都是为xx而准备的，它们都经过FDA认证并且满足有关机构制定的有效性标准。
Novelty
特色
Flavored condoms (coated with lubes that contain sugar, corn syrup, or other fructoses) can alter the vagina's pH, setting the stage for yeast or bacterial infection. These condoms are not recommended for vaginal or anal sex, but are okay for oral sex on men. Other "novelty" condoms, including most glow-in-the-dark, can make great gag gifts, but are not intended for use with any kind of intercourse. Unless they are labeled as FDA approved (which some are, so read carefully), these condoms do not meet the FDA standards for protection against pregnancy and STIs.
果味避孕套（涂有含糖、玉米糖浆或其他果糖的润滑油）会改变阴道内PH值，使内部环境适合发酵或者细菌感染。这类避孕套不推荐在阴道交或菊交时使用，但可以用于为男性口交。其他“特色”避孕套包括最常见的夜光型，就像是夜里的恶作剧礼物，但这种套套并不是为任何形式的xx而准备的。除非上面标有FDA认证（其中一些是获得认证的，因此购买时要仔细阅读），这类套套并不满足FDA关于避孕和防止疾病传播的标准。
Now that you know what to look for when purchasing condoms, it's time to make your selection. Before buying "rubbers," you may want to talk with your partner about condom options, or even share the experience of selecting condoms together. Purchases can be made in a store or online. Some people are brand loyal, while others sample different brands to find their favorite. Test-driving different brands with your partner can be fun. If, however, you open a condom that looks, smells, or fits funny, throw it out and move on to the next. And be sure to take note of those expiration dates once you've made your choice(s) and before you stock up. Finally, remember that a condom is not effective unless it is on the penis before the penis enters the vagina or anus.
现在你已经清楚在买套套时该注意的事，接着该轮到你做出选择了。在购买“小雨衣”之前，你最好问问你的伴侣的意见，或者一起分享挑选避孕套的经验。你可以在商店或者网上购买。有些人只用一个品牌，还有些人喜欢体验不同的牌子以找到他们的最爱。和伴侣一起使用不同品牌的体验过程乐趣无穷。如果你打开一个套套，它的外形、气味或者尺寸是那么的可笑，你就直接把它扔了再换下一个。请在购买和储存之前看清套套的保质期。最后，请牢记，只有在插入阴道或者菊花之前将套套戴在弟弟上，才能发挥套套的作用。
Best of luck in making your selections!
祝您好运
Alice
爱丽丝
