TresSugar

Hilarious or Horrifying? Trojan Can Prevent Rude Moviegoers

TresSugar — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 08:00:39 -0800

When lovers not planning on making a baby start to get busy, the last thing they want to think about is what type of person their potential child would be three decades down the road. But in this commercial, Trojan wants to remind you that you should wrap it up, lest you end up with a child who turns out to be the most obnoxious grown man ever to enter a movie theater!

Avoiding children, annoying or not, is a major reason for using protection, but this commercial sends a somewhat confusing message about contraception. If this guy weren't annoying, would it have been a good thing that his parents didn't use a condom? Do you think this is an effective message, or does it miss the mark?

Uh Oh! Counterfeit Condom Factory Discovered in China

TresSugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 07:00:00 -0800

Condoms might top the list of things that should never be counterfeited. Unfortunately, there may be as many as one million ineffective knock-off condoms on the market in China right now.

Four people were arrested this week at a factory allegedly producing and selling condoms that provide little to no protection against disease or pregnancy. What's worse? Authorities said they found "bare-chested" employees using vegetable oil to lubricate the condoms that they then packaged without any sterilization. Whoever came up with this fake factory sounds like they were fulfilling some sort of bizarre fantasy.

This story is scary enough to make someone outside of China paranoid. If you're freaked out, just make sure you never buy condoms labeled as "Jisson, Durex. Rough Rider, Six Sense and Love Card."

One Night Stand Kit - Hilarious or Horrifying?

TresSugar — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 07:00:00 -0700

When I first saw the pink beaded strands in this One Night Stand Kit ($19), I thought they were hair rubber bands, which actually could come in handy during an unexpected hookup. But no, they are "love beads," packaged alongside a tiny vibrator, a vibrator ring, Please Gel samples, and two condoms - everything you'd need for a one-night stand. (This is basically the Walk of Shame Kit but without the cancer awareness bracelet!) Assuming you don't live in Alabama, would you buy something like this? Do you think it's funny, useful, or offensive?

Hump Day: Is It Safe to Use Tight Condoms?

TresSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 10:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Hump Day, TrèsSugar's sex advice column. Are you confused about sex? Do you have trouble having an orgasm? Is there something you'd like to try but you're worried it's too weird? Send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:

"My boyfriend and I have been dating for a few months and we’re not ready to have sex without condoms, but he says that the ones that we’re using are too tight. We're going to get bigger ones of course, but in the meantime, is it safe for us to use these? I heard that condoms can stretch a lot and fit anyone." To see what Dr. Glickman has to say, read more

You can fit pretty much any condom over your arm, so the complaints that some guys may not fit might be more about their perception than anything else. Unfortunately, we don’t yet live in a world where people can buy condoms with the length and width clearly printed on the label, much less in lots of different sizes. But don’t worry - you have some options.

First of all, adding a little lubricant (a couple drops inside the condom before putting it on) will decrease the chances the condom will break by minimizing the formation of air bubbles in the head of the condom. It will feel better, too. (Avoid lube on the shaft of the penis, which can make the condom slide off.) Latex has more friction than skin does, so a little extra lubricant on the outside can help a lot, too. This probably goes without saying, but never use oils with latex condoms; they can make them break in about 30 seconds!

Another option is to change what brand of condom you’re using. American-style condoms like Lifestyles, Trojan, and Durex are made from a somewhat thicker latex so they’re less sensitive and more tight. That’s not always a disadvantage, since some guys find that the decrease in sensation helps them last longer. But if your boyfriend is looking for something with more stretch, try a Japanese-process condom like Kimono, Skinless Skin, or Paradise. These condoms are made from a thinner, stronger, and stretchier latex so you both get more sensation. And they fit larger penises more easily.

You could also try one of the condoms that feature a larger head. The extra room at the head means that the latex slides back and forth, which provides extra sensation. The shaft of the condom is about the same width as other brands, reducing the chance of it sliding off. Just make sure to use a little lube on the inside since the extra friction can be a bit too much for some guys. Pleasure Plus and Trojan Twisted are popular brands.

Lastly, check out the new Skyn condoms. Instead of the traditional latex, they’re made from polyisoprene. It’s a much stretchier and more sheer material than latex, so they feel great for both people. It’s also a good option for people with latex sensitivities. Polyisoprene is a form of rubber, just like latex, so keep oils away from it.

In closing, here's a list of some of the more common brands and their dimensions. Have fun, and don't forget - if you have a sex question, send it to TrèsSugar!

Hump Day: I Don't Like Hormonal Birth Control, So Now What?

TresSugar — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 04:00:00 -0700

Welcome to Hump Day,TrèsSugar's sex advice column. Are you confused about sex? Do you have trouble having an orgasm? Is there something you'd like to try but you're worried it's too weird? Send your questions to TrèsSugar, and our friend Dr. Charlie Glickman from Good Vibrations will offer his sound advice!

Today's Question:

“I went to my OBGYN to ask about non-hormonal birth control. (The Pill basically ruined my sex drive.) She pushed the Pill and the Nuva Ring, and said that condoms have a 15 percent failure rate. I don’t like that she was pushing hormonal birth control. Is it possible for hormonal birth control to lower your desire, and if I don’t want to use it, what’s my best, and safest, bet?”

To hear Dr. Glickman's advice, read more

Unfortunately, yes, birth control pills can lower libido. There are at least a couple of reasons for that. First, the Pill inhibits the production of androgens by your ovaries, including testosterone. While ovaries don’t produce as much testosterone as testicles do, it’s still an important part of women’s sexual arousal. The Pill also seems to increase the production of sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG). SHBG binds to testosterone, which further reduces the amount of it that you have available. On top of that, an article published in the 2006 Journal of Sexual Medicine found that some of these changes may last for quite a while after you stop taking the Pill. Some women report that the NuvaRing has similar effects, although others don’t have any change in their libidos and others actually have an increase in sex drive.

15 percent is a bit higher than many estimates for condom failure rates, but part of why it’s hard to pin down more precisely is that many of the reasons for condoms not working is user error. Here are some tips on reducing the odds of that happening. And since each brand of condom is a bit different, this page has lots of advice for finding the right one for you.

Even though condoms aren’t 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancy, they go a long way towards lowering your risk for sexually transmitted infections. But if your focus is on contraception rather than STI prevention, there are some other options. Intrauterine devices (IUDs) are a lot more effective and safer than is popularly believed. They are currently available with or without hormones, although it’s worth noting that the level of hormones that end up in your system is a lot lower than what you get from the Pill and the non-hormonal IUDs can cause heavier menstrual bleeding or cramps.

Unfortunately, most of the more effective forms of contraception either include some form of hormones or are irreversible. The only other way to avoid pregnancy is to keep sperm from coming into contact with the ovum. Obviously, condoms do that, but if you want other options, you might want to check out cervical caps which have about a 10 percent failure rate if you’ve never given birth vaginally and a 25 percent failure rate if you have. (You can reduce that with a spermicide.) You could also check out the vaginal contraceptive film, a strip of spermicide that you insert into the vagina where it melts and provides up to three hours of protection. It also turns out that withdrawal is more effective than was previously thought, with an 18 percent pregnancy rate. Since these other approaches are clearly less effective than implants, the Pill or other hormonal methods, a lot of people use more than one. Condoms plus cervical caps or condoms plus withdrawal improves your odds a lot.

I’d really like to see some other forms of birth control that don’t mess with women’s hormones; so many women report having all sorts of side effects. There are some gel products being developed that will (hopefully) be effective as both contraception and STI preventatives and at least some of them are working their way through clinical trials. So eventually, there will be something better for you but in the meantime, I hope this helps.

AIDS Group Asks Government to Force Condom Use in Porn

TresSugar — Fri, 21 Aug 2009 13:00:00 -0700

It's hard to believe that a porn star would sleep with other porn stars without protection, but in an industry created to turn people on, some directors think it's sexier for the viewer. Upset with the dangers, an AIDS advocacy group filed complaints against 16 production companies with the California Division of Occupational Safety and Health, alleging that the practice amounts to unsafe behavior in a workplace.

US law already requires porn stars to prove that they have tested negative for HIV and other STDs within 30 days of filming, but the AIDS Healthcare Foundation wants to see a policy that requires condoms.

Some in the business say that the porn industry would probably leave California if condoms became the law, and Hustler publisher Larry Flynt thinks the AIDS group doesn't understand porn. He says, "people who enjoy viewing adult films do not want to see people using condoms." Do you agree?

Are Condoms a "Grudge Purchase" to You?

TresSugar — Mon, 17 Aug 2009 09:00:00 -0700

grudge purchase

How? By ribbing them ("for her pleasure"), creating wider heads on them, double-lubricating them (for his increased pleasure), and by creating special lubricants that warm up or numb him a little so that he’ll last longer.

Tampons - now there's an annoying purchase. But are condoms something you buy begrudgingly?

Do Tell: Where Do You Keep Your Condoms?

DearSugar — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Even if you don't buy your condoms in bulk, many of you might have a few laying around the house. It's common practice to keep them in your medicine cabinet or your bedside table drawer, but I've seen them in much more interesting places like in the kitchen or under the mattress! So where do you keep your condoms? Tell me in the comments below!

Source

6 Reasons a Condom Might Break

DearSugar — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 09:00:00 -0700

Male condoms are one of the best forms of birth control out there because they're cheap, you can buy them anywhere, they prevent pregnancy, and they also prevent the spread of STIs, but they only work if they don't break! Below are six reasons why a condom might rip, so keep them in mind the next time you're getting busy.

The condom is past its prime. Condom wrappers have an expiration date on them, so be sure to take note.
Storage issues. Heat damages latex condoms, so they shouldn't be kept in a hot place such as a glove compartment or a wallet. Keep them in your medicine cabinet or nightstand instead.
Lack of lubrication. If there is friction while having sex, especially anal sex, not only will it cause pain and irritation to your privates, but the condom can break. So be sure to use lubricated condoms or use extra lube if you need to.

To hear the other three reasons read more.

You're using the wrong lubricant. If you're using latex condoms, oil-based lubricants can weaken the rubber and cause a tear, so use only water-based lubes.
The condom doesn't fit. If the condom is too small or too large, it can rip, so experiment with different sized condoms to get a snug fit - not too tight and not too loose.
The woman is tight. Some women's vaginal muscles are naturally tight, so to help prevent condom breakage, lubrication (and a lot of it) is a must.

Source

You Asked: Should We Still Use Condoms?

DearSugar — Mon, 06 Apr 2009 12:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

I've been married for about five years. I have been on various birth control pills the entire time, but I am terrified of having sex without using a condom too. My husband is irritated about this because he obviously prefers sex without a condom, but I'm petrified of getting pregnant. Am I being too uptight or is he being too pushy? - Paranoid Penny

To see DearSugar's answer read more

Dear Paranoid Penny,

The answer to your question is neither. Many women prefer to use backup contraception just for piece of mind while other women feel confident in the statistics of their chosen birth control method, so if you're that terrified of getting pregnant, I think you need to do whatever puts your mind at ease.

Since the pill is 99 percent effective, I'm left wondering if there's something else going on here so I suggest you have a heart to heart with your husband so you can talk through some of your fears. Since condoms aren't 100 percent effective at preventing pregnancy either, you might also want to talk about what would happen if you were to get pregnant, just so you're on the same page. Good luck!

Source