Topic: Condoms

True Story: The Time A Condom Got Lost Behind My Uterus

True Story: The Time A Condom Got Lost Behind My Uterus

Let me first start by saying that I know you are skeptical. I would be skeptical, too, if this were not an actual true story of a thing that happened to me which I later asked an OB/GYN about and had medically confirmed. So if you can kindly suspend disbelief, I will tell you a true story about the time a condom got lost in my own body. Behind my uterus, to be exact. More »

Alcohol Makes Everyone Want Unsafe Sex (Not Just Irresponsible Sluts)

Alcohol Makes Everyone Want Unsafe Sex (Not Just Irresponsible Sluts)

A new study says that alcohol consumption ups your chances of having unsafe sex…It’s not rocket science, but it could help clear up some misconceptions about the “kind” of people who forego condoms and spread HIV and other STDs. In the past, researchers have questioned whether it’s alcohol, or the personalities of the people drinking the alcohol, that make for irresponsible mating. But researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health say pretty much anyone who’s had more than four or five drinks is more likely to have unsafe sex.

In the study, researchers randomly assigned participants to a drinking or sober group, and asked them to rate their intention to have unprotected sex. The more alcohol they consumed, the greater their intention; at 0.1 mg/mL blood alcohol level, the likelihood of engaging in unsafe sex was up by 5%. More »

Real Talk And Poll: Do You Still Worry About HIV/AIDs?

Real Talk And Poll: Do You Still Worry About HIV/AIDs?
Annie
Betty
Carla
Diane
Ernestine

We’re pretty pleased that we’ve reached a point in our lives where we’ve stopped seeing AIDs a cool counterculture symbol, and more of a “really, really bad thing.” That may be the definition of maturity! But that doesn’t stop it from being a disease that affects 33.3 million people worldwide (and 1.2 million in the United States). With World AIDs Day 2011 coming up tomorrow (December 1st) we’re curious about how many of you still worry about HIV/AIDs. You can tell us in our poll, and check out the responses below.
More »

Sex (Re)Ed: 5 Ways That Otherwise Smart People Use Condoms Incorrectly

Sex (Re)Ed: 5 Ways That Otherwise Smart People Use Condoms Incorrectly

This is a post from our sister site, Blisstree.

Yesterday, I wrote a breakdown of some of the many options that women and men have to prevent pregnancy and stop the spread of STIs. Over and over, I noted that while many birth control options are effective, they must be used consistently and correctly to work. Which is how everyone assumes they’ve been doing it, especially when it comes to condoms. But even smart people make dumb mistakes when it comes to wrapping it up.

Condoms (which it turns out, men don’t actually hate) are one of the few methods of birth control that not only prevent pregnancy, but also protect the users from disease. They’re also really cheap, easy to get, and simple to use. But unfortunately, the margin for error when using a condom is pretty high. There are plenty of ways that people can reduce the effectiveness of a condom, without even realizing they’re doing anything wrong. Here are 5 ways that condom users can improve their form (and reduce their risk). More »

Sex (Re)Ed: Men Tell Us How They Really Feel About Condoms

Sex (Re)Ed: Men Tell Us How They Really Feel About Condoms

This is a post from our sister site, Blisstree.

Do they make a difference? Yes, and you already knew it. But when I asked men what they really think about condoms–how they feel, whether they use them regularly, when they choose to use them, whose responsibility it should be to buy/have them–the resounding answer wasn’t just “they suck.”

Which is good news, considering that condoms are the only way to protect against many STIs.

Here’s how a few fellas–of various ages (from 25 to 40), geographical locale (from Seattle to New York to Minnesota), and industries–really feel about condoms: More »

Real Talk: How Do You Stay STD And Baby-Free?

Real Talk: How Do You Stay STD And Baby-Free?
Andie
Lily
Laura
Kendra
Didi

You know what’s great? Avoiding unplanned pregnancies. It’s probably the best thing about being a responsible adult, besides maybe eating cake for dinner sometimes. So, in the wake of a certain internet fiasco, we decided to talk to a bunch of smart, responsible, female adults who 1) care about their health and 2) care about the health of their partners… and therefore practice safe sex.

This is not to say that people don’t make mistakes–condoms break and no form of birth control is 100% effective–but it is to say that adults who make mistakes learn from them. Otherwise, they’re not adults. So, for today’s Real Talk we asked women to tell us about their preferred methods of protection. More »

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