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You\u2019ve got sex on the mind huh? <\/span>Welcome to the club. <\/span>Luckily for you, we\u2019re here to help break down the basics, and cover what your sex ed classes didn\u2019t \u2013 or what you forgot.\u00a0 <\/span>Condoms might feel silly to talk about, and this apprehension may keep you from asking fundamental questions about condoms.\u00a0 <\/span>Sex ed can be fun, but there\u2019s no shame in talking about the basics \u2013 as obvious as they may seem. In fact, it\u2019s essential to your sexual health and wellness to <\/span>normalize conversations around reproductive health<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n One of the coolest things about having sex in the twenty-first century is education and options.\u00a0 <\/span>We have more access to sexual health education than we ever have before, and there are more and more innovative products coming out all the time to help support your sexual health and wellness.\u00a0 <\/span>There are so many birth control options out there to help fit your individual needs from hormonal pills and patches to IUDs \u2013 both hormonal and non-hormonal. <\/span>These can help prevent pregnancy, however, they don\u2019t protect you against sexually transmitted infections.\u00a0 <\/span>That\u2019s where barrier methods come in.\u00a0 <\/span>Barrier methods are just what they sound like. They create a barrier between you and your sexual partners so that you are protected from pregnancy and\/or STIs.\u00a0 <\/span>These are the most common forms of barrier methods:<\/span><\/p>\n Condoms are the only form of barrier method that helps protect you from both STIs and pregnancy during penetrative sex.\u00a0 <\/span>They are about <\/span>98%<\/span> effective at preventing both pregnancy and the transmission of STIs.<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ve decided that condoms are the best choice for your sexual needs and lifestyle, or maybe you\u2019re using them in conjunction with another form of birth control.\u00a0 <\/span>You walk into the store. You muster up the courage to walk into the tiny sexual health section, and you\u2019re faced with SO MANY OPTIONS! <\/span>What kind of condom to get? <\/span><\/p>\n The most important things to take into account when buying condoms are:<\/span><\/p>\n Material: <\/b>Most condoms are typically made with latex. This is a great option unless you happen to have a latex allergy. If latex condoms aren\u2019t working for you, you can try ones made from a kind of plastic called polyurethane, or ones made from natural materials. These \u201cnatural materials\u201d are typically sourced from animals and their intestines, bladders, and skins.\u00a0 <\/span>Some people who think they have a latex allergy, are actually allergic or sensitive to the lubricant that is on them.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Size: <\/b>Just like penises, condoms also come in different sizes. If you don\u2019t know what size you\u2019ll need, you\u2019ll probably just want to buy regular-sized ones, or multiple sizes to keep on hand just in case.<\/span><\/p>\n Quality: <\/b>If quality isn\u2019t important to you, that\u2019s totally fine. By quality, we mean the materials and sourcing used to manufacture the condoms.\u00a0<\/span>There are more and more options coming out for people who want condoms that are made from organic and sustainably sourced ingredients. You get to decide if that\u2019s something you want to look for when buying condoms.<\/span><\/p>\n Some other questions to ask yourself when buying condoms are:<\/span><\/p>\n Now that you\u2019ve gathered your supplies, here\u2019s how to put them to work.<\/span><\/p>\n Before you start to put your condom on, you\u2019ll want to do two very important things:<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ve got a condom that\u2019s ready to go. It\u2019s time to put it on \u2013 before any penis to vagina contact.<\/span><\/p>\n Here\u2019s how to <\/span>correctly put on a condom<\/span>:<\/span><\/p>\n When you\u2019re all done, you\u2019ll want to hold the condom in place at the base before pulling out and hold it there while you\u2019re pulling out (Ask your partner to do this if they\u2019re the one with a penis). <\/span>They can then take off the condom and put it in the trash. Voila!<\/span><\/p>\n You\u2019ve got the basics down, now here are some do\u2019s and don\u2019ts to send you on your way with.<\/span><\/p>\n Do:\u00a0<\/b><\/p>\n Don\u2019t:<\/b> Remember that condoms aren\u2019t 100% effective against preventing pregnancy or STIs. Some STIs like <\/span>herpes<\/span> can still be spread through skin-to-skin contact and oral sex.\u00a0<\/span>It\u2019s still important to get tested before and after having sex with a new partner and ask them about their STI status.\u00a0 <\/span>Condoms aren\u2019t foolproof, here\u2019s <\/span>what to do if one breaks on you<\/span>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\nWhy Condoms?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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What Kind of Condoms Should I Use?<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Before Using a Condom<\/b><\/h3>\n
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How to Put a Condom On<\/b><\/h3>\n
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Condom Do\u2019s and Don\u2019ts<\/b><\/h3>\n
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