Durex is recruiting condom testers

Safe sex is imperative — especially given a nearly 24 percent increase in STI diagnoses among England residents from 2021 to 2022, according to the UK government. Despite this, condom brand Durex found that 62 percent of sexually active UK adults don't or rarely use condoms (in a survey of 2,000 UK adults done in August). People blame perceived lack of sensation (19 percent of respondents believe this), less spontaneous sex (18 percent), and believing condoms are "mood killers" (11 percent) as reasons to forego rubbers.

Durex is determined to turn these statistics around. From now until September 21, the condom brand is recruiting 50 testers to try out its new Durex Nude, which the brand claims is its thinnest and most innovative condom to date. Durex is offering the testers £100 for their reviews, as the company is confident the Nude condom won't reduce sexual pleasure.

"We're so confident that this condom will be a game changer when it comes to proving that condoms can actually make sex MORE enjoyable, that we're putting our money where our mouth is, and recruiting our very own team of paid condom testers from across the UK, who we're inviting to give honest and open reviews about their sexual experiences while using the Nude range," explained Durex's category marketing manager Nikki Hayward in the press release.

Want more sex and dating stories in your inbox? Sign up for Mashable's new weekly After Dark newsletter.

Durex's condom contest call-out. Credit: Durex

Sexually active UK adults have had sex 94 times over the past year on average, according to Durex's research; for 18-34 year olds, that number jumps to 140. The average sexually active singleton has had at least four sexual partners in the last year, as well. One in ten actually prefer sex with a condom as it helps avoid mess, and the same amount of people say not wearing one reduces pleasure due to worry or needing to pull-out.

Seven percent of survey respondents claim that thin condoms feel just as good as wearing no condom. Now, those lucky 50 testers will have a chance to see (or feel) for themselves.

To enter, comment on the call-out post on Durex's Instagram. Fifty winners will be selected at random, and will receive Durex Nude condoms, Durex lube, and a measurement guide (a tool to find your best condom fit) along with a QR code. To receive the £100, winners need to leave a review on the Durex website accessible through the QR code. The contest is open from 9 a.m. BST on September 13 through 11:59 p.m. BST September 21. Happy testing!