I was reading Splendid's profile because of a recent thead I'd contributed to, and was sparked to post by her insistence on a condom, (good for her).
Since my divorce I've been in one strong active exclusive relationship, just ended, no condoms, no erection problems.
In the gap between one relationship ending and the last one getting serious I was away from home for three months and visited a sauna a few times. On one occasion there was a gang bang offered and I joined the queue, took the proffered condom. I put it on just before my turn and felt myself going off the boil as I started to penetrate her, wasn't able to complete the task.
Now she was lying like meat on the slab, not visibly participating. (I suppose she was getting something from it). I wonder, was it the condom, was it the lack of personal interactive stimulation, was it the crowd?
Thinking about this, there was also a situation where I wanted to give my close friend a longer session and we tried a condom, I didn't go flaccid but I did soften up, and had to work hard and to get positive sensations. Then we tried the spray, and despite the numbing effect, this worked better. After a little practice neither was needed.
Since if I want to have sex again I'd better learn to function with a condom, (wasn't a problem in my youth), I have wondered what the true reason was, and being me of course, anxiety about the next time must surely follow.
Anyone have a problem keeping hard with a condom? Thoughts generaly?