Valentines Day is just around the corner, a day filled with candy, flowers and best of all, lovings! So it is only appropriate that today starts National Condom Week. Condoms not only reduce the risk of unwanted pregnancy but are also the best way to protect against STDs and STIs, besides abstinence. According to the American Social Health Association:

…each year in the U.S. there are approximately 19 million new cases of sexually transmitted infections (STI), about half of which occur among youth ages 15-24.

That’s a lot of sexually transmitted diseases and infections. So do your part to protect yourself and the ones you love by practicing safe sex, not just this week, but all year long.

Condom Myths BUSTED!

Having sex with a condom is safe.
As paradoxal as it sounds, the only safe sex is no sex. A condom is not 100% effective in preventing pregnancy, STDs or STIs. However, it is MUCH more effective than not using anything at all.

Why use a condom when condoms don’t work then?
Condoms DO work almost all the time when they are used correctly. The chances of pregnancy drop significantly: 2% to 15%. Compare that to an 85% failure rate of unprotected sex. Condoms are also 80% to 97% effective in protecting against STDs, STIs and HIV.

Condoms break a lot.
When used correctly, condoms break only 2% of the time. But this means you don’t use certain kinds of lube with condoms, nor do you double them up. Doubling up condoms actually provides you with less protection, since the friction makes it more likely for a condom to break.

All guys hate using a condom.
Number one: if a guy will not use a condom when you ask him to, he’s not worth it. Period. It’s not a matter of trust, it’s a matter of respect. Why should you put your health or even your life in danger? A lot of people carry STDs and STIs without even knowing it, a prime example of this being HPV (human papillomavirus). HPV can cause cervical cancer women.

Condoms don’t have to be a mood-killer in your relationship. In fact, condom play can be a fun thing for you and your partner to try out next time in the bedroom. Incorporate it into a little bit of foreplay or even roleplay and see what happens from there. They also make condoms with different textures and flavors!

Condoms can be reused.
First of all, yuck. Second, not true. Condoms are made for one-time usage. If used more than once, it’s more likely to fail, so spare the extra 5 bucks and invest in a whole box.

Guys can’t feel anything while wearing a condom.
While sensations are a bit dulled, it’s not to say that your guy will not feel anything at all during sex. Actually, because you are more relaxed, since you’re not thinking about becoming pregnant or contracting an infection, the love you make may even be more enjoyable.

–Magdalena

Do you have a condom myth to share? Comment and tell us about it.

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