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I Have HIV ... My Partner has HIV ... Are Condoms Still Necessary? If you are a person infected with HIV who recently has started a relationship with another individual also infected with HIV, you may have automatically concluded that condoms are not necessary. You likely assume – as most people do in this day and age – that because both of you are infected with HIV, it is not necessary to use condoms when you are engaging in sexual relations. How to Approach the Subject of STD or STI Testing “Honesty is the best policy.” Certainly you've heard this old adage more than a few times throughout the course of your life. However, when it comes to sexual relationships, the statement that honesty is the best policy takes on an altogether new meaning. How to Tell Your Partner that You Have HIV One of the most difficult experiences in a person's life is finding out that he or she is infected with HIV. On top of finding out about your own health situation, you additionally find yourself facing the prospect of having to tell your partner that you are suffering from the disease. Anambra Statewide Condom Ban Anambra is one of Nigeria’s most densely populated states with the 2006 census showing 4.1 million residents. The villages and towns are densely populated with anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 residents living within the confines of each square kilometer. In Nigeria, alone, the HIV epidemic is staggering, to say the least. According to research done by the United Nations program on HIV/AIDS, every year over 300,000 people become infected with HIV only adding to the 3 million people who are already infected. This accounts for almost 4 percent of Nigeria’s adult population. So what solution, what remedy can be offered that could perhaps stop the epidemic in its tracks? According to state officials in Anambra, a ban on birth control could be just the right path to take. Don’t Use More Than One Condom “If one is good ... two is great!” There are a number of people who use condoms with regularity who actually “double up.” These individuals concluded or have heard through the proverbial grapevine that using two condoms is the best course to take if you really want to prevent pregnancy and the spread of diseases or infections. While on the surface this seems to make sense, the reality is that doubling up on condoms is not a good practice. Condoms and an HIV Positive Spouse or Partner One of the more devastating moments in a person's life is finding out that a spouse or partner has been diagnosed with HIV. In the end, such a diagnosis results in a whole host of considerations and concerns. Towards the top of the list is the issue of what can be done in order to be intimate and sexual with a spouse or partner that has been diagnosed with HIV. Myth and Reality Regarding Condom Usage and the Spread of HIV or AIDS In this day and age there is a great deal of misinformation pertaining to the spread of HIV and AIDS even when a condom is utilized during sexual activity. Unfortunately, there is some indication that some of the misinformation that has been spread today is intentional. In other words, some of the misinformation about condom usage and the spread of AIDS seems to be perpetrated by people who have a definite political agenda. Understanding STDs and Safe Sex Practices Let’s face it. If you want to stay safe from disease, you have got to use safe sex practices. But, in order to better understand the importance of following safe sex practices and using a condom, it is helpful to better understand sexually transmitted diseases. Safe Sex and Condoms If you are sexually active, it is important that you understand the basics when it comes to safe sex and condoms. Through this article, you are provided an overview of safe sex and condoms, an overview of what you need to know in order to stay healthy when you are a sexually active adult in this day and age. The Pros and Cons of Buying Wholesale Condoms on the Internet In this day and age an ever growing number of people have taken to making their purchases of various products on the Internet and World Wide Web. In this regard, many of these individuals are taking to buying in bulk and wholesale. Included on the list of products that people are buying are condoms in bulk and wholesale. In this regard, you may be wondering what the benefits are of buying wholesale condoms on the Internet and World Wide Web. Through this article, you are provided with an overview of the pros and cons associated with buying wholesale condoms on the Net today. Understanding What Type of Condom will Work Best for You If you are in need of condoms, you may be wondering what type of condoms are deemed to work the best. Through this article, you will be provided with an overview of the different types of condoms that are on the market today. You are provided with an overview of what type or types of condoms are best suited for your needs. How to Store Condoms If you have purchased condoms for use during your sexual encounters, chances are that you have purchased more condoms that you will use at any one time. Indeed, in this day and age, many people are buying in boxes that contain a number of individual condoms. Because you likely are purchasing a number of condoms at one time. Therefore, it is important for you to understand how to store properly your condoms. Selecting the Right Lubricant for Use with a Condom If you intend to use both a condom and a lubricant during a sexual encounter, there are some facts and factors that you need to keep in mind. Through this article, you are provided an overview of the information that you need to keep in mind if you intend to use both a condom and a sexual lubricant during a sexual encounters. You need to keep in mind that the information and facts contained in this article actually are extremely important. In short, it is important that you keep these in mind How to Put on a Condom: A Guide to Proper Condom Use In this day and age, a growing number of men are using condoms when it comes to sexual encounters. This trend is occurring because a growing number of men personally are becoming more aware of the value of condoms in not only preventing pregnancy with a female partner but they are also attune to the fact that condoms can be very valuable when it comes to preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases between partners. How Condoms are Tested for Safety Condoms are used during sex in order for one to have safe sex hence you can’t test a condom in the process of having sex; that means that you will be risking your health due to ignorance. There are a lot of ways of testing condoms. These kinds of tests are what all governments use. These tests include testing the durability of the entire condom while some measure only part of the condom with other tests available for testing holes. University Embroiled in Debate About Birth Control It is always funny to me when I read about things that have ballooned into a major controversy. Recnelty, I read that the University of South Carolina is embroiled in a controversy over its promotion of birth control in the form of….you guessed it – condoms! Safe Sex Education in the USA Sex education in American schools, and especially the teaching of safe sex and contraceptives in sex education classes, is a heavily debated matter in the USA. This debate is centered mainly on whether sex education should focus solely on teaching kids to practice abstinence, or whether things like birth control should be taught about as well. This is a matter of great concern in the U.S. right now, as America has the highest teen pregnancy rate for developed countries in the world, and has one of the highest teen STD rates as well. Statistics show those in recent years, 65% of STD infections were in people under the age of 24, and one out of four HIV infections were in people under the age of 22. Having Fun with Lubricants When it comes to lubricants, you will find that there are many different types to select from. If you are planning to use lubricants with condoms, however, you have probably heard that you should only use those that are water-based. But, what exactly is the difference between the various types of lubricants and why are water-based lubricants the only kind to use with condoms. Well, let us help you understand! Johnny Depp New Face of Condoms? Type in “Johnny Depp” and “condom” in your Google search textbox and simply sit back and watch the thousands of hits stream in. As we all know, rumors go flying across the internet in a span of seconds. The Different Styles of Trojan Condoms Trojan is the most popular brand of condoms in the U.S., and with such a large variety of condoms to choose from, it’s no surprise that many people prefer to use them. The most commonly-used condom is the classic Trojan ENZ. This is a standard lubricated latex condom with a reservoir tip for comfort and safety. Want something a little more exciting? Try Trojan Ultra Ribbed Condoms, which, as the name suggests, have ribs on them to help create a more stimulating experience. Still not exciting enough for you? Then try Trojan Twisted Pleasure, which have a twisted spiral-shaped end. The unique shape of the condom will help create an experience that is equally as unique (and intense!) for your partner. New Vending Machines, Photo Booths Being Launched By Lifestyles Condoms Smile, you are on Candid Camera! OK, maybe it isn’t quite the same thing, but Lifestyles condoms has been testing out a pretty innovative new idea. And, if all things go well, you might be seeing more of Lifestyles condoms in the near future. A Review of Kimono Condoms Kimono is a Japanese company that specializes in making condoms that reach a standard of excellence. Unlike other condom companies, Kimono condoms are produced from a natural rubber latex and are 20% thinner than the usual condom. Safe Sex Lessons in School Continue to Cause Controversy School systems have long been battling with the topic of safe sex and how to teach it to their students. Some school systems have taken the stance that the only true form of safe sex is to abstain from sex completely. At these school systems, the only safe sex lessons they learn are how to refuse to have sex until they are married. Latex Allergy: Problem Solved A latex allergy is a serious problem for those looking to practice safe sex with the use of condoms as a form of birth control or STD prevention. Luckily, many condom manufactures have solved the problem by finding other materials that are just as safe, durable, and equal to the protection the latex condom provides. The two common materials used other than latex to manufacture is polyurethane and natural membranes. Both materials have been proven safe and effective in protection and are equal in value, durability, and quality to latex condoms. Going Behind the Scenes of Making Durex Condoms Durex condoms are among the most popular brand of condoms. Although you may be a fan of Durex condoms, I bet you have no idea how they are made, do you? Well, come with me as we go behind the scenes and see just what they do to make the Durex condoms that you rely upon! Purported Swiss Research Upsets AIDS Prevention Groups A group of Swiss researchers may be sending some pretty mixed messages when it comes to AIDS prevention. It seems that this group of researchers has concluded that patients that are using retroviral drugs do not need to worry about using a condom because they cannot pass on the AIDS virus to their partners. Religion and Condoms in Latin America According to recent statistics, about 1.7 million people across Latin America were infected with HIV or AIDS in 2006, and 410,000 new cases had been reported that year as well. These numbers have shown no sign of abatement. Are You Wondering How to Use a Condom? This Simple Guide Will Help! When it comes to how to use a condom, there are many dos and don’t that you need to keep in mind. In addition, when learning how to use a condom, you need to remember that proper use starts as soon as you purchase the contraceptive. How to Purchase the Right Condom for You Knowing how to purchase the right condom for you is a highly personal decision. There are many factors ranging from size to style that one must take into account. These factors will make a big difference in the performance and effectiveness of the condom. Since there are so many types of condoms, it is important to know and understand the differences between each type of condom and the different brands of condom. A Review of Durex Condoms Durex is the world’s best-selling brand of condoms, and with a large variety of condoms, lubricants, vibrating rings, and other types of sex toys, it’s no wonder that they’re so widely used. The standard Durex condom is the Durex Natural Feeling Condom, which comes with water-based lubricant inside and reservoir tip to help provide a natural feeling during sex. An alternative to this classic is the Durex Enhanced Pleasure, which has a special contoured shape that creates both more sensitivity and a better fit to help enhance the experience. Looking for something a little more exciting? Try Durex High Sensation condoms, which differ from other ribbed condoms by having large ribs towards the open end, leading in an increase in sensation for your partner. Another condom in that same vein is the Durex Her Sensation condom, which with its specifically positioned ribs and berry scent will certainly please your partner, if not you as well. Don’t think that’s exciting enough? Then try the Durex Intense Sensation with its raised stud texture, which is sure to lead to a unique and memorable experience. And for those who love both ribbing and studs, there’s the Durex Pleasuremax, the ultimate in pleasure from Durex. Trojan Condoms Pairs With Indiana University for Research Trojan condoms is partnering up with Indiana University in a study that aims to help improve the overall sexual health of people. Here at CondomMan, we are all for any kind of research that will help people to better explore their sexuality in a safe and fun way, so we are glad to hear that Trojan condoms is going academic by partnering up with the university. A Review and History of Lifestyles condoms Lifestyles is a popular condom company that produces a wide variety of different types of condoms, and which submits their condoms to a large number of tests to ensure that their products guarantee the absolute best when it comes to protection. The standard Lifestyles condom is the Lifestyles Lubricated, which besides being lubricated and containing a reservoir tip, comes in an unique flared and bulbous shape. All of this combined leads to both the wearer and their partner sharing a friction-free, natural-feeling experience. Condom Testing: How is it Done? There are six standard tests done for latex male condoms. Although there is some slight variance in testing between the different regulation organizations, over the past twenty years, all of these organizations have come to do the same procedures for new condoms, and brands like Trojan, Durex, LifeStyles, Kimono, Crown, and others all sell condoms that have gone through testing. The goals of these tests are to provide pregnancy and disease transmission prevention, and to minimize loss of sensation during sex. The six standard tests focus on the following qualities: condom dimensions, leakage, tensile properties, air burst properties, package integrity, and lubricant quality. Learning How to Put on a Condom Are you wanting to know how to put on a condom? If you are planning to engage in sexual activity with someone that has not been tested for sexually transmitted diseases and if you have no other protection against pregnancy, you certainly need to use a condom. After all, the last thing you want is to have an unplanned pregnancy or to catch a disease from your partner. AIDS Prevention Initiatives Get Creative A Canadian Firm, Spread Safety, has an innovative idea. The company, which is based out of Toronto, is going to distribute thousands condoms throughout North America for free. At this point, you may not being seeing much of anything special. After all, dozens of organizations distribute condoms for free on a pretty regular basis. What sets this initiative apart from the others, however, is the fact that these condoms will include informative, educational blurbs as well as corporate advertisements. How to Talk about Safe Sex with your Partner Whether you choose to have sex or not, it is important to talk about it. We normally think that sex is supposed to be physically safe only; we do not consider the safety of our emotions in sexual relationships. As much as we try to be physically safe when involved in sex, we should also try to consider our emotions by looking out for risk factors in advance and safeguarding ourselves, our partners and those around us from needless hurt and harm. Durex Offers More Than Just Condoms When browsing through Durex products, you might be surprised to find that the company has more to offer than just condoms. In fact, Durex also offers a few products that will help to enhance your sexual experience. In addition to the special lubricant offered by Durex, the company has also recently added the Play Vibrations product to its line. A little about Beyond Seven Condoms and its Sheerlon Technology Okamoto is a Japanese company that specializes in combining thin, sensitive condoms with superior latex technology to help produce an excellent brand of condoms. It Doesn’t Get Much Better Than Kimono Condoms Kimono condoms are among the most popular brands in the world. Made by Mayer Laboratories, Kimono condoms are about 20% thinner than the regular condoms offered by other condom manufacturers. Yet, they are very durable and reliable. Let’s Talk About Sex Talking is always a key factor when it comes to having safe sex. That said, most of us, no matter how propelled into the modern age we claim to be, still find it hard to openly talk about it, much less discuss the intricate details that come along with it. Make Your Lovemaking Last Longer with Durex Performax and Other Tactics Do you have problems with climaxing a little too soon? If so, you aren’t alone. In fact, just about every guy has climaxed earlier than he wanted to at some point in his life. If you know any guys who say they haven’t, they are most likely lying. Using Lubricant to Deal with Dryness If you are a woman dealing with vaginal dryness or if you are a man whose partner suffers from this problem, you may feel as if you are at a loss at times. For a man, having a partner suffering from dryness can also seem emasculating because many men associated the level of a woman’s moisture with the level of her excitement. Deciding on the Best Condoms for You When it comes to deciding which condoms are the best condoms, you need to consider your own personal needs and likes. After all, what feels good and works for one person is not necessarily so great for another person – that’s why you will find so many different types of condoms to select from when you head out to the store or when you shop online! Using Crown Condoms : One of the Best Feeling Condoms Around Crown Condoms is a brand of condom sold by Okamoto Condoms. It is considered not only one of Okamoto’s best condom brands, but also one of the best condom brands out there in the market today. Certainly, competing brands like Trojan, Durex, LifeStyles, and Kimono condoms don’t seem to have anything like it. Crown Condoms are extremely thin and non-contoured, helping provide a high level of sensitivity to your intimacy. Like other Okamoto condoms, Crown Condoms are made from Sheerlon, an advanced silky-feeling material that can be produced much thinner than that of a regular latex condom. Each condom is tested to ensure that it passes the highest standards for maximum protection. All their condoms also contain water-based lubricant and have a reservoir tip. Some Countries still Police Condom Use The use of condoms is currently one of the most popular and widely adopted forms of contraception. In the United States, the United Kingdom and most other developed countries, people are encouraged to use condoms to help curtail the spread of STDs, HIV and rapid population growth, which has been identified in the past as contributory to the economic problems and poverty among constituents. Buying Wholesale Condoms Can Save You Money While Keeping You Safe You might think that you have to be in the business of selling condoms in order to purchase wholesale condoms. But, the truth is that you do not! Although “wholesale” is usually used to describe the amount that distributors charge to businesses, there are some companies out there that offer wholesale condoms to the every day consumer. We here at CondomMan are just one example! Free Condoms at the Kern County Fair in California The annual Kern County Fair and Parade in California was recently subject to a confrontation of ideas. Held sometime in October 2007, the fair was attended by people from all over Kern County who came to celebrate and have a good time together. There were all kinds of people attending, and all kinds of groups and organizations hosting booths. In the Democratic Party booth, volunteers were organized to give away packs of condoms for free to college students. Some people attending the fair were unhappy about this. Condom Fashion Show : Condoms Find a Whole New Use If you didn’t know already, National Condom Week is right around the corner. You likely won’t get any time off from work to celebrate this national event, but there is no better time for you to embrace your love of condoms and to spread the word about safe sex. Nepalese Wives Send Condoms To Husbands Overseas Women who live in a village in Nepal have been taking their husband's health into their own hands. They have been mailing condoms to their husbands who are working overseas. They are attempting to protect their husbands from sexually transmitted diseases. The Condom Talk And Your Teenager My first-born son just turned 11 months old today. When he was still in my stomach and we were eagerly preparing his nursery, my husband and I would constantly talk about his future. Where would he go to college? Would we send him to public school or private school? At what age would we buy him his first car? Who would be the one to give him “the talk?” Now that he is out of my stomach and learning to walk and giving ladies the “sexy eyes,” I have decided that the “condom talk” will not be necessary because I do not ever want him to leave the house and begin dating. Will I become that mother-in-law every daughter-in-law dreads? If you are a little more put-together than me and have decided that “the talk” is, indeed, in your near future, here are a few tips to help you through this anxious (and dreaded) moment. South Africa’s Condom Recall Concerns Experts We hear of the AIDS epidemic in developing countries across the globe as a news ticker on the bottom of our television screens. Even in the United States with one million people infected with AIDS, with a nationwide population of over 300 million, many of us will go our whole lives without directly knowing somebody who has been infected or died by AIDS. Now let these statistics about South Africa and the AIDS epidemic really sink in and your perspective may change. Condoms - Not Always One Size Fits All For the most part, condoms are used all over the world. There are varying styles and varying sizes, but some people claim that this doesn't work for everyone. According to a recent survey of over 1,000 men in India, the main brands of condoms simply aren't small enough for most of the men in that country. Catholic Church Condom Ban in Latin America According to the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) nearly 1.8 million people who reside in Latin America are infected with HIV, in large part due to the ever-increasing population. Of these cases, more than a third can be found in Brazil, with Argentina and Colombia following close behind in the thriving epidemic. Unsafe sex practices between males are the largest culprit, but coupled with unsafe sex in male/female relationships and drug abuse, the situation is dire. If the Condom Breaks Trust me. It has happened to the best of us. You are in the midst of enjoying your new relationship and new sexual partner. You think you did everything right. You had the talk before beginning the sexual portion of the relationship. You openly discussed condom usage and agreed to always wear condoms during sex. Then one day, just like that, it happens. Despite all the rigorous testing condoms go through, the condom breaks in the throes of passion. Perhaps you put the condom on too tightly, forgetting to pinch a space at the top of the condom after putting it on. Perhaps you didn’t use lubrication. Whatever happened, it can happen to us all and what you do after it happens is important. Understanding your Sexuality Exploring your sexuality can be pretty unnerving because you’re in that state of mind where you’re starting to understand yourself in a way that tells a lot about you and who you are as a person. It is also having a high understanding of yourself from the inside out as an individual and how your body responds to sex and different things involving sex. It happens even more in a relationship with someone because you have different feelings towards things by your significant other or partner. Condom Bill 1334 Vetoed by California Governor Schwarzenegger In October 2007, the governor of California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, decided to veto Bill 1334, otherwise aptly referred to as the Condom Bill. This bill, spearheaded by California State Assemblyman Sandre Swanson and sponsored by various California-based organizations, including AIDS Project Los Angeles and the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), would have allowed nonprofit agencies to distribute ‘sexual barrier protection devices,’ including dental dams and condoms, amongst the 162,000 California prison inmates. The intention of this bill was to help prevent the increasing problem of inmates spreading sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV, to each other, and, ultimately, their sexual partners outside of prison upon release. Life with an HIV Positive Partner Sexually active couples use condoms to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV. What do you do, however, if your partner informs you he/she is HIV positive? Does that mean you need to get out of the relationship immediately or just never have sex again? Not exactly. There are some definite precautions you will need to take to keep yourself HIV negative while in the relationship, but that should not stop you from pursuing and maintaining a loving and trusting relationship. Rapid Rise in STDs may Spur New Teenage Condom Law in Columbia It isn't always that the government attempts to stay out of moral decisions. In Columbia, the government is looking at a planned teenage condom law. Not only would teenagers in the country be forced to use condoms, but the would also be forced to carry them at all times. This law, which is a consideration of the government, would hopefully help the country to stop pregnancies that are unwanted, and diseases that are transmitted by sexual encounters. Female Condoms: What are they? How do they work? I remember being a junior in college and hearing about the female condom from my best friend and roommate, a staunch women’s activist. Only a few months earlier, she had excitedly alerted me of a cool new contraption that would allow women to pee standing up, so let’s just say that I was less than open to the idea of hearing about some hokey body-sized rubber that probably covered the woman from head to toe. I kept thinking, “Well, of course it would protect a woman from getting pregnant; men would be running in the opposite direction at the sight of it.” It wasn’t until recently that I was able to actually research female condoms to see what they are really all about, and you know what? They aren’t full body-sized. While female condoms have never proved to be extremely popular in the U.S., they are still available at many retail outlets and proven very effective against STDs. Zambian First Lady Says: Demand Safe Sex AIDS statistics in Zambia are staggering: There are approximately one million people who are infected with AIDS in Zambia. The life expectancy of somebody born in Zambia is under 40, mostly due to the impact AIDS/HIV has had on this society. About 57% of those infected with the AIDS virus are women. Of these women infected with AIDS, those who are between the ages of 15 and 24 are twice as likely to be infected as men of the same age. Between the ages of 14 and 19, that ratio jumps to six times as likely to be infected as men of the same age. Chinese Condom News - From Condom Hairbands to Condom Dresses Imagine you walk into a salon to get your hair shampooed, cut and styled. You are given rubber hair bands to help keep your hair up and out of your face. Then you find out that these are not your typical hair bands. These hair bands are recycled…recycled used condoms. This is what happened to one disgusted Chen Wenlan from Dongguan, China after visiting her local hair salon. Wenlan says, “Many of my friends have not yet heard the news. And it is really terrible.” Condoms and Oral Sex : Make it Safe and Fun When my best friend and I first entered college, we were blubbering idiots when it came to anything having to do with sex. She would wholeheartedly agree with me. If people talked about condoms, we’d snicker like eight year-old boys. It’s no wonder neither one of us had even come remotely close to sex. Behind the scenes, though, we were preparing for that encounter. We’d secretly rent porn to actually see what sex looked like and we jointly owned a book called “How to Make Love to a Man (Safely)” by Alexandra Penney. On a road trip in our freshman year, we took turns reading it to each other. One thing Ms. Penney wrote about that always stuck with me was performing oral sex on a man using a condom. My reaction to that scenario now is the same as it was back then. I tilt my head to the side and think, “Is that even possible?” It is. How to Educate Yourself on Sexual Protection One of the most needed yet often readily ignored needs in today’s world is educating yourself on birth control and safe sex. There are so many options out there, and a lot of misinformation to be confused by; but thanks to the internet you can research many of these things in the comfort and privacy of your own home. Condom Storage and Safety from Heat Here’s a quick rundown on where to stash away your condoms so that you can always stay prepared. A lot of us, if not all of us, have heard the old advice to not keep a condom in your wallet, but how many of us know why? And, to quote one of the recent questions Condom Man received, is it a good idea to keep your condoms in a refrigerator? (Quick Answer : No.) It’s always good to have a condom on hand, but it’s also good to remember that condoms degrade over time and need to have a little bit of care and attention. To summarize, you want to keep a condom close by, but not TOO close by. The Global Condom Shortage and its Deadly Consequences Living in the United States where I am surrounded by decadent lifestyles, fast-food restaurants where I can grab a full meal in two minutes, grocery stores packed to the 20 foot roofs with an abundance of food and household items and doctors with advanced medical equipment only a few miles down the road, I get spoiled into thinking the rest of the world has it this good. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In our world today, we hear of water shortages, food shortages and healthcare shortages. One shortage that does not get as much press, however, is the condom shortage that is happening across the globe. Avoid these Common Condom Mistakes For being such an inexpensive item, condoms pack a powerful punch. They protect its users against many sexually transmitted diseases as well as guarding against pregnancy. In the heat of the moment, however, many couples do not stop during foreplay and pull out the condom instructions from the box to ensure they are using the condoms properly. So, for those condom users who are not currently engaged in sexual activity, here is a brief rundown of some condom no-no’s for you to peruse. Condoms 101 - An Overview (What you May have Missed in School) Basically stated, a condom is a form of birth control that prevents the passage of semen from reaching the vaginal canal during sexual intercourse. In addition to this, a condom also prevents blood, vaginal secretions and other bodily fluids from passing between sexual partners. Acting a barrier for these fluids allows for a condom to aid in the prevention of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Best of the Best in Condoms Condoms are an inexpensive form of birth control readily available on the market. When used correctly, condoms are 98 percent effective in the prevention of pregnancy. In the area of STD and aids prevention, condoms achieve a higher standard of protection levels than choosing to not use a condom. Unlike other forms of birth control, the learning curve is low. All that is needed is an understanding of proper placement and use of condoms. Keeping in line with that, there are several top condom manufactures that offer wide product lines to suit virtually all users. Do “Friends With Benefits” Relationships Really Work? Julia, by nature, was meticulous about what they discussed and actions she took before actually beginning the relationship. This is a rundown of what she feels is necessary to discuss and do before jumping into a relationship like this: Condoms Usage and Foreskin Condoms are tricky enough to put on with most couples getting caught up in the “which way does it unroll?” dilemma. Now, add the dilemma of foreskin for good measure and you may be in a whole new realm of frustration. Looking at some condom forums and reading what uncircumcised men are venting about when it comes to slipping on condoms may make circumcised men count their blessings. The most common complaints seem to revolve around the condom “bunching up” and/or slipping off. There was even a complaint about “poking through” that I thought might need an entire essay to devote to. The Female Condom Redesigned The female condom is one of those things in life that you know exists; you know you’ve heard about it on the news at one time or another, but you don’t know anybody who has ever seen one, let alone actually used one. If you stepped on one in the street, you might kick at it and think, “What a strange Ziploc bag.” Despite a lack of enthusiasm from the United States market, the female condom has had minimal success in developing nations, including South Africa and Brazil. It did not, however, achieve its ultimate goal of women empowerment which would, in turn, help cease the spread of AIDS. Exposing Common Condom Myths Oh, what a tangled web of myths we weave when we are trying not to conceive! Growing up, my neighborhood friend began having sex relatively early. While drinking our Capri Suns on my front porch, I vividly remember her recounting the frequent sexcapades she engaged in and saying things like, “Oh, we don’t use condoms…he says it won’t feel as good.” I would stare at her slack-jawed and wide-eyed since I was never quite able to wrap my mind around the concept of sex until much, much later when I actually began having it myself. Needless to say, my childhood friend had two children by the time she dropped out of high school in the 11th grade. She was a casualty of the condom myths. Condom Availability Programs I grew up in a city that was once featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” as the city that had the youngest living grandmother. My neighbor had three children before 11th grade and several of my middle-school friends became pregnant in the 7th or 8th grade. This was almost twenty years ago and things have changed a lot since then and not necessarily for the better. Children are learning about sex from an even earlier age and their lessons are not always from their parents. Friends, television and movies are what children often look to for lessons on sex, so you can only imagine the values they are confronted with. Some schools have risen up to the challenge of preventing teenage pregnancies and the spread of STDs by incorporating condom availability programs. The Condom : An Invention that Predates Modern Times Had you asked me a while ago when condoms were first introduced, I might have looked up the date that the Trojan Condom company first opened its doors. Many of us don't realize the long and tumultuous history that the simple condom has endured. In fact, the history of condoms is a rich one dating back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians. Safe Sex : Prepare for Every Possibility The use of condoms is a reliable and effective method for preventing unexpected pregnancies. The use of condoms with other forms of birth control is even more effective, but there are times when everything fails – the good-quality condom bursts, the IUD slips, the pill was forgotten in the rush to make it to work on time. A Review of the Pleasuring Vibrating Ring Foreplay and having fun are a very real part of any healthy sexual relationship and adding spice simply brings more pleasure to the bedroom and both partners. With this thought in mind, we introduce the Pleasuring Vibrating Ring. The ring is designed to go over the man with or without a condom in place. However if you combine this stimulating and erotic sex toy with your favorite condom, not only are you increasing your chance at safe sex, but also adding to the already intense feeling you get from using your favorite condoms. Buy Condoms without Embarrassment You want to do the right thing. You want to make the responsible choice. There is nothing to it. Just walk in the store, pick out a box of condoms and proudly march up to the register and buy condoms. So why then are you still sitting in your car carefully planning out each step to the least embarrassing detail? When you make the move to buy condoms, you are essentially telling the world that you are about to engage in sexual activity. This causes your palms to sweat and your stomach to do flip flops with each step. If this is you, do not fear! There is a way to buy condoms without embarrassment. Indonesia Launches First National Condom Campaign Living in the United States, it is hard to believe that condoms would not be an enormous part of any other country’s safe sex initiative. In this country, you think “safe sex” and your mind automatically visualizes condoms. However, in Indonesia, condoms do not even account for 1% of the types of contraception that are normally used. There is hope that this will change with Indonesia’s first national condom campaign that will continue for one week and will begin on December 1st, 2007, the same day as World AIDS Day. This campaign’s primary goal is to promote, distribute and educate to the masses about the benefits of condoms against pregnancy and HIV, amongst other sexually transmitted diseases. Free Condom Distribution in College Paper Won't Happen A college in California was planning on giving out free condoms in their daily newspaper. At Cal State Fullerton, there was supposed to be an issue, coming out November 14th, which would include free condoms. After complaints from a few people about the nature of the advertisement for the condom giveaway, the campus administrators decided that this issue simply wasn't one they wanted to go to print. What's up with these Flavored and Scented Condoms? Do you like and enjoy the security of condoms but wish they had a better taste or a different smell? Well now you can have that wish, with Flavored and Scented Condoms. Condoms have been around for a very long time; however it was only recently that they begin to become more of what we really wanted. You no longer have to choose a plain condom that simply got the job done; now there are condoms that you enjoy the flavor of, and condoms without that latex smell. Condom Quality : How are Condoms Tested? Before being put into production for the masses to use, cars get crash tested, software applications go through user and quality tests on a test environment and new ice cream flavors get taste-tested (how do I go about getting that job?). So, how do condoms get tested to ensure their effectiveness? Judging from the previously mentioned tests, why not follow in the same vein and have actual human testing? Not likely. The New Okamoto Condoms Sampler Pack When looking into choosing a condom, having a choice can help you to make the right decision each time; and that is why you will find the Okamoto Condoms Sampler Pack a great place to start looking. With the sample pack you will have Asia’s most popular condom and the newest brand to sweep America by storm thanks to the Sheerlon Material that gives them the Skinless Skin Feel. Each of the Okamoto Sampler Pack Condoms expires from 2-5 years from date of purchase and is tested electronically for reliability and security. AIDS: A Deadly History My first introduction to AIDS came through the news reports of a boy named Ryan White who had contracted the disease through a blood treatment for his hemophilia. I was only 10 or 11 at the time this story was making headlines, but I distinctly remember wondering why so many people were scared of him and why they didn’t want to allow him back to school. His mom ate, played and lived with him every day and she wasn’t scared of being close to him. What was wrong with everybody, I wondered? At that time, AIDS was such a new disease and few people knew much about how it was spread from person to person. Fear of this new unknown disease caused the masses to panic. What many people do not know is that in the early 1980s, which many attribute to be the start of AIDS, this epidemic had already been around for forty years in other parts of the world where it originally began. Company Markets Coffee-Flavored Condoms in Ethiopia In a recent study performed in Ethiopia, close to a million people were tested for HIV. Of those million subjects, over seven percent tested positive for HIV. As grim as these statistics may sound, consider this: the previous year's study found over five percent of the subjects tested positive for HIV. That is a 26% increase within one year. In a country where the HIV/AIDS epidemic is at an all-time high and is home to ten percent of our world's HIV cases, there is a mad scramble to promote anything that will slow the sweeping epidemic. Testing for STDs – Different STDs and their tests If we lived in a perfect world, every person would go to the doctor before they decided to embark on a sexual relationship and get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Then, each person would stock up on condoms and dental dams and use them properly for each sexual encounter. There would be no AIDS epidemic, no HPV, no chlamydia, no gonorrhea. Unfortunately, we do not live in that utopia. More than likely, most people about to begin a sexual relationship do so at a moment’s notice and barely have time to get the condom out of the package (that is if a condom is even available). Many people will likely need to get tested for various sexually transmitted diseases in their lifetime. Here is a rundown of several sexually transmitted diseases and the methods used to test for them. World AIDS Day 2007 Since its inception in 1998, World AIDS Day has fought strongly to gain awareness, support and money to promote its campaign to educate the masses about the impact of AIDS and to rally against the prejudices and injustices those living with AIDS still face today. With the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimating that almost 40 million people live with HIV in the world today and, add to that, the 4 million who were infected with HIV just last year, the coordinators of World AIDS Day have their work cut out for them. For just one day, World AIDS Day 2007 will be here reminding the world that HIV is not a disease that can be swept under the rug and forgotten. All About Durex Condom Variety Packs When looking for a condom that fits your needs choosing, can be tough - you can’t simply try before you buy. Well, to alleviate this problem CondomMan has the Durex Condom Variety Packs. In this sampler pack you will get a chance to try a variety of these condoms or choose from a couple only. When looking at the Durex Condom Variety Packs you might want to know something about the types of Condoms you can choose from, so here is a list with their descriptions. United States Reports Record High Number of STDs It’s always great to break previously held records unless, as in this case, the record involves number of cases of STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. In 2006, the United States hit an all-time high with the number of cases of chlamydia reported - over a million. To put that in perspective, that is about 348 people in every 100,000. That may not seem like a lot, but that is a 5.6% increase from the previous year. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that usually goes unnoticed but that can lead to reproductive issues if left untreated. Last year alone, 1,031,000 cases of chlamydia were reported which shattered the record for number of cases of a sexually transmitted disease. The previous record was attributed to 1978 (with gonorrhea cases) which had almost 18,000 fewer cases than 2006. Keep Your Mind Clear If you are a teenager, there are now more opportunities than ever to use drugs. Forty years ago, adolescents had to choose between alcohol and marijuana, and both were difficult to obtain and expensive. Cocaine and LSD were available only to the very rich or well-connected. Crack was not even invented, nor was crank. Opium was banned, heroin was unheard of, and steroids were still a chemist’s dream. Now you, the teenager, have your choice. You also have more disposable income than any previous generation in history. Things Every Person Should Know : The Basics of Putting on a Condom The only learning curve involved in condom use is how to put on a condom. In addition to being effective in the prevention of pregnancy, a condom also protects sexual partners from transmitting an STD or HIV to one another. While nowadays most people agree that condom use is an important part of safe sex, the main problem occurs in the fact that a large amount of people do not know how to correctly put on and use a condom. So while condoms are particularily effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy and STD’s, the lack of knowledge on how to use a condom correctly results in higher failure rates worldwide. A Review of Durex Play Lubricants As the world’s largest condom distribution company, Durex (owned by SSL International) knows a thing or two about safe sex. Keeping that in mind, they have designed the ‘Play’ line of Durex Lubricants, each one designed with a special feature in mind to keep safe sex interesting and intruiging. With these added features, these lubricants can add to the excitement of sex. Safe Sex : Talk About it First Psychologists agree that the brain is the primary sexual organ. All sex begins in the mind; the act itself is just mechanics. Brain rules mind, and the chemistry of sex is imperative but not rational. Knowing that, we can see how important it is for two individuals to understand one another’s needs and prejudices when it comes to actually having safe sex. Introducing the Lifestyles Condoms Sampler Pack Now you no longer have to decide which condom is your favorite or which one to choose, Condom Man has the Lifestyles Condoms Sampler Pack. In this sample kit you can choose up to four different styles of Lifestyles Condoms, or have them selected for you. Each of the Lifestyles Condoms are made from premium latex, and not only lubricated for comfort but also sensitivity. Each condom is electronically tested more than 3 times to ensure you the best security and quality, while meeting the U.S. standards. Each of the Condom Man condoms expire in 2-5 years from the date you purchase them, so no more worrying about if you will be secure. More is Better: Choose your Safe Sex Methods in Abundance Most newlyweds are not ready for children. They are still getting to know one another, and throwing a third human into the mix too early can ruin the natural evolution of a relationship. There may also be financial constraints; weddings are expensive, and it takes time to save money for a new house, pay off cars, and move far enough ahead in the company to make a decent wage. Put the Condom On Early Sex can be a beautiful thing, and safe sex is that much more beautiful. No matter what your partner tells you about his or her health, there is always the chance that something was missed or even, though no one wants to think so, that your partner is lying. Emotions and hormones run high when you’re starting to get romantic with someone new. That is why it is important to wear a condom from first contact through, not just for the final act. New Liquid Condom In the Works There is a new type of condom that could soon be on the market. This is a condom that begins as a liquid. Like the gels and lubricants used during sexual encounters, this liquid could be administered in the same way. When the condom comes into contact with another surface – that of the woman – it solidifies and becomes a protective condom. AIDS Prevention and Condom Use Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS is what occurs when a virus invades the body and begins to destroy its immune system. Normal function of an immune system protects the body against illness and keeps the body healthy. When that immune system becomes compromised, the chance of a life threatening illness infecting the body is significantly increased. The deadly virus that attacks in the case of AIDS is HIV or human immunodeficiency virus. This virus attacks the cells that prevent infections from occurring. These cells are killed one by one until there are none remaining to protect the body. Under virus attack, the body begins to shut down and eventually death occurs. Setting Quality Standards for Condoms Through the years, the popularity of condoms as an effective form of contraceptives has grown, and so has the regulation and standards for quality. As more and more people become condom users, and safe sex becomes a standard practice among the world’s population, manufacturers and regulators alike debate the perfect and practical standards which must be met so that condom users know that these condoms, when used, can be trusted to protect people during intercourse. Durex Performax Condoms For many couples and men in general there is a problem with premature ejaculation. However, there is hope, as the new Durex Performax Condoms are designed with these types of situations in mind. Using the new Durex Performax Condoms, men and their partners can enjoy a longer amount of actual intercourse and even foreplay as they place the condoms on before use then use this time to warm up their love play. Just for Fun: Other Creative Uses for Condoms Through the years, there have been debates on the best method of marketing and distributing condoms in society. Condoms are designed and manufactured to help men and women fight off unwanted pregnancies and the spread of communicable sexually transmitted infection.
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