TresSugar

Lifestyles Skyn Condoms: "Closest Thing to Wearing Nothing"

DearSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If condoms are your primary form of birth control, for both pregnancy and STI prevention, then you'll be happy to know there's a new thin condom on the market. Lifestyles Skyn pledges to be the "closest thing to wearing nothing." Well that sounds inviting, doesn't it? These new Skyn condoms are made of a breakthrough material called polyisoprene, which is designed to be softer, stretchier, and more natural feeling. Skyns are meant to feel more like skin-to-skin contact, which is what we're after when it comes to sex, right? They are latex-free, so they're perfect if you have a latex allergy, but they still protect you against STIs. If you're turned off by regular condoms because they decrease sexual sensations, then you may want to give these a try. Let me warn you that they're pricier than latex condoms, with a 12-pack costing around $13.50. If they make your time under the sheets better, then I say they're worth the extra dough!

Have any of you tried these Skyn condoms yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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: Is My Cold Sore Contagious?

TresSugar — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 06:00:00 -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 know that cold sores are the same virus as herpes. Is it a bad idea to go down on my boy when I have one? Is it transmissible that way?” To hear what Dr. Glickman has to say, read more.

Dr. Glickman's Answer:

YES!!!

There are two types of herpes virus: HSV-1 and HSV-2. Oral herpes is usually HSV-1 and it’s estimated that 80 percent of the population has been exposed to it. Genital herpes is usually HSV-2 and it’s estimated that 25 percent of women and 12 percent of men have it. However, genital herpes can be caused by either version of the virus, so going down on someone when you have a cold sore (another name for a herpes outbreak) can spread it. To make things a bit more complicated, only about 1/3 of the people who have genital herpes are aware of it - either they’ve never had an outbreak or the outbreak was very mild. (See herpes.com for more info.)

Part of what makes herpes tricky is that it can be transmitted even when you don’t have a visible outbreak. The virus lives in your nervous system and every so often, it’ll come to the surface. It’s especially likely to happen when you’re sick or have been stressed for a while. There’s evidence that the virus starts shedding from the skin (and is therefore potentially contagious) before any visible symptoms. It’s a low risk, but it’s a possibility. To make matters worse, if the site of the shedding isn’t covered by a condom, it can be spread even when you’re practicing safer sex.

While herpes can be uncomfortable, it doesn’t represent nearly as much risk as other sexually transmissible infections (STIs) such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, human papilloma virus (HPV), or HIV. Having said that, there’s evidence that HSV-2 makes HIV transmission more likely. See this article for more information about how that works.

It’s also worth mentioning that I’ve seen a lot of people get really upset about STIs when they don’t get nearly as upset about any other health issue. I’ve also seen a lot of people who have all sorts of judgment about STIs but think nothing of going to work and sharing their flu germs (or worse)! STIs can be unpleasant, annoying, or life-threatening, but they don’t mean anything about the person who has them any more than chicken pox or measles do. Negative attitudes about STIs are a holdover from before we invented antibiotics and when diseases such as syphilis were seen as the wages of sin. But now we know that they’re just germs and we don’t need to shame people for having them. (Not that I’m saying that you’re doing that, but I wanted to mention it.)

The best thing that we can all do is to get tested for STIs regularly, even if you’ve never had a symptom. Lots of people have STIs and don’t know it. Check your local Planned Parenthood or other agency for information, although I recommend going with anonymous testing in order to ensure your privacy.

And safer sex is always a good choice. It’s easy to do, with a little practice. Using a lubricant can make safer sex more enjoyable since latex tends to have a bit more friction than skin. Try a silicone-based brand if you’re prone to yeast infections. Water-based brands are a bit easier to clean up since they rinse away.

If you or your partner don’t like the way condoms feel, try a different brand. The Japanese-process condoms such as Maxx and Skinless Skin are more sheer than other types. Or you could give Skyn a whirl. It’s made from polyisoprene, rather than latex, so it’s very sheer and both people will get more sensation.

Given that you have oral herpes, you might want to talk with your boyfriend about using condoms for oral sex. If you go that route, change the condom before having intercourse. That will make sure that you don’t spread the herpes virus to your vulva or vagina. It’ll also reduce the risk of your condom breaking; teeth can cause small abrasions that weaken the condom.

For an excellent, sex-positive read on safer sex, check out The Hot Guide to Safer Sex . It’s full of helpful advice and great tips.