With all the advances, Nicole Johnson wonders why unprotected sex is even an option.
When I was in college, every pop radio station in America was playing Salt N Pepa’s infectious hit “Let’s Talk About Sex.” At the time, I could rap every word of that song, and to this day, I can still hear the chorus playing in my head: “Let’s talk about sex, Baby. Let’s talk about you and me. Let’s talk about all the good things and the bad things that may be.”
Now that we’ve enjoyed a musical interlude, let’s talk about sex.
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I was part of the safe-sex / AIDS awareness generation. During my teens and twenties, everyone was warning the public about the lethality of HIV and AIDS – doctors, nurses, teachers, social workers, talk show hosts, even movie stars and athletes. There was also a resurrection of public service announcements for traditional STD’s to compound the gravity of having unprotected sex. This new discourse about safe-sex opened up discussions around the critical need for condoms and how to use them effectively. “Raincoats” were no longer something you contemplated using for birth control purposes or the prevention of a treatable STD; condoms were now touted as a potentially life-saving requirement in the era of HIV/AIDS.
Let’s fast forward to 2012. Not only do I think it’s of vital importance to continue the safe-sex conversation, I believe it should include condom technology and how the industry has dramatically evolved over the decades. The classic latex rubber sock has been transformed into a pleasurable sheath. Wait. I know what you’re thinking. I just used the word “pleasurable” to describe condoms. Yes, it’s true; condoms in the 21st century provide outstanding sensation (and protection) to men and women. Don’t believe me? Let me introduce you to three high-tech condoms which will cause you to rethink “rubbers.”
As part of the Condoms 2.0 generation, the TROJAN® Ultra Ribbed Ecstasy, the Avanti Bare® by Durex®, and Lifestyles® 3Sum are proof that 21st century condoms are more than function and fit. They offer maximum comfort, heightened sensitivity, and additional safety. Clearly, these are not your father’s (or grandfather’s) condoms. And ladies, you’ll be happy to know there’s another form of contraception available for women. The FDA has approved a new version of the female condom called the FC2 – talk about progressive!
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Regardless of age or gender, if you are not in a monogamous, committed relationship you should be practicing safe-sex and buying condoms. And when it comes to buying condoms, the process couldn’t be easier. A new innovative online company called Lucky Bloke allows men and women to purchase condoms from the privacy of their personal computer. Lucky Bloke simplifies the process of exploring different types of condoms, and purchasing condoms and personal lubricant. They have carefully researched and hand-selected a range of the best premium condom brands and styles from around the world to provide you with clear and concise condom size and quality guidance. Moreover, Lucky Bloke’s condom subscription service ensures you will never have to say these words: “I don’t have a condom.”
With the advent of new technology and new ways of buying condoms, there is no reason why anyone should be risking their health (and possibly their life) by having unprotected sex. Whether it’s the love of your life or a one-night stand, do the right thing; protect yourself and your partner.
About Nicole Johnson
Vocalyze
Maybe this is just because of my own anatomy, but I honestly cannot feel a difference between a ribbed and a non-ribbed condom on my partner. I once unrolled a new Trojan “Ribbed for her Pleasure” condom to look for these supposed “ribs” and LAUGHED at how insignificant they were and the idea that I was supposed to feel, and get pleasure from, these tiny raised bands on the condom’s surface.
The best condoms never enhance my experience, only ruin it. Glad I am married because sex wouldn’t even be worth the effort if I had to wear condoms.
Let’s not forget that condom manufacturers are generally for-profit organizations. They’re in a competitive, free market, mass media system. Like any other mass-produced item in a shiny box, they may exaggerate their claims. Shocking that a big corporation would do something like that, I know, but it happens. The names of the sizes are meant to be flattering to men. The smallest size is not a “small,” which would be perfectly logical, but “extra large.”
This *is* about my anatomy, and what I do with it and with whom; and I don’t like someone telling me what I *should* be doing with any of it. You don’t know why someone might have sex without a barrier? One reason would be that condoms aren’t designed to go on either partner’s equipment. Another would be that using a barrier is in some other way defeating the purpose of having sex: for pleasure, for contact, even for fluid exchange. And finally, some people have procreative sex on purpose.
I came of age in the era of the specter of AIDS, too, and with all of the assumptions about what my sex would be like, and how that could always include a condom. For a while, that seemed to work, but for some of the sex I have, it just hasn’t. One of those reasons comes up for why it isn’t an answer. I’m not just being an apologist for sexual urges. I’m saying there are more needs than you can meet, and more dangers than you can protect yourself from, with a condom.
Well said. I think many Americans have a tendency to fall for the idea of a miracle technology. The magic pill, the miracle device that will make your life totally better and cure just about everything. All our problems can be solved if we get a computer in every classroom and condoms in every bedroom. The key to safe, healthy sex is a cheap, simple, miracle technology wrapped up in a little package – put one on and wait for the rainbows and unicorns.
Condoms are very important tools, but they are not magic. Like any tool they aren’t designed for everything you want to do. They are virtually perfect for some activities but not others. The best toolbox has many tools.