Consensual Text

We’ve recently come across some pretty interesting World Cup statistics. Now we know what you’re thinking:  “What the hell? I signed up for steamy sex news to escape my partner’s obsession with sports. Why in the world is PPNNE mentioning soccer???”  Let us reassure you— this is relevant.  So read on, o ye, of little faith, and see these staggering numbers for yourself:

4 weeks of World Cup tournament play… 32 teams competing for the World Cup… 2,200 volunteers stationed at Johannesburg’s Ellis Park stadium… 400,000 fans estimated to attend…and…

1,000,000,000 condoms needed for the World Cup. One BILLION.

South Africa announced last week it will need one billion condoms for the World Cup. Annually, more than 450 million condoms are distributed in South Africa. But with 1 in 5 adults HIV/AIDS positive, there can never be “too many.”

It’s rare that condoms and soccer are combined…but we found this cute (and impressive) DIY video and just couldn’t resist posting it.

It’s National Cervical Cancer Awareness Month and we’re reminding everyone that condoms are one of the ways to reduce your risk of contracting HPV (human papilloma virus)—the virus that can cause cervical cancer.  HPV is also spread by skin-to-skin contact during vaginal, anal or oral sex play,  so the best way to prevent HPV is to get vaccinated.  Make an appointment with us today.

And in the meantime, check out this hilarious condom video from the geniuses over at the Midwest Teen Sex Show—you’ll especially appreciate the music video towards the end with “Hank-The-Condom.”  Happy Monday!

Consensual Text is featured on Twitter and Facebook.  Fan and follow us for info on a range of topics pertaining to sex and sexual health!

Dress properly for sex by wearing condoms

Most of us dress appropriately for events.  We wear boots in the snow, sunscreen on the beach, a costume at mardi gras, we get dressed up to go to Aunt Lou’s for Thanksgiving dinner, or weddings and big parties … so why aren’t we wearing proper attire when we are delighting in being naughty?

Currently, sexually transmitted infections rates are soaring. Soaring. These infections affect us in many ways – from uncomfortable symptoms, to no symptoms, but jeopardizing our fertility – having to tell a partner about reoccurring incidents, to suffering through a severe medical problem.

• Adolescent girls aged 15 to 19 and women ages 20-24 are reported having the highest incidences of STIs
• The prevalence of HPV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, and herpes was at 24.1% (one in four!) among all females aged 14–19.
• The CDC estimates nearly 19 million new sexually transmitted infections occur each year, almost half of which are among 15 to 24 year olds.

STIs in the USA are too high.  Use this handy online tool to see if you are at risk.

And, as mentioned earlier this week, a condom can be stretched to handle 3 bags of potatoes or 12 quarts of water (and, according to a comment we received, can also handle a bunch of plaster!).  Celebrate the latex, people!  It is a good thing!

When dressing for sex, here are some silly limericks to remind you:

• no glove, no love
• sex is cleaner, with a packaged wiener (actually uttering that phrase may make you no longer want to have sex, however)
• cover your little guy, or you’ll die (an awful saying, on so many levels)
• it’ll be sweeter, if you wrap your peter

“Getting dressed” for sex still seems to be a societal taboo. Sex requires proper attire.  Please use condoms.  Please get tested.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org

As we mark World AIDS Day, and we wanted to celebrate the little latex than could…

The condom.

Some historic and random condom facts:

• Condoms can hold as much as 12 quarts of water or 3 bags of potatoes before bursting!
• Quality condoms can stretch to over 3 feet.  No, you are not too big to use a condom.
• Only condoms can protect against sexually transmitted infections.
• (and no, we don’t sit around our office filling condoms with potatoes for the sake of research)

The condom is the simplest of technologies, doesn’t take up much space, is available for purchase and free at Planned Parenthood offices everywhere.  And it is effective.

It has come a long way, as we showcased way back in Week 2 of this blog.  And we should all be grateful for that.

Consensual Text is featured on Twitter and Facebook.  Fan and follow us for info on a range of topics pertaining to sex and sexual health!

A quick and dirty list of the basic hormone-free birth control options:

Barrier Methods–Condoms, Diaphragms and Cervical Caps:

Barrier methods  prevent your man’s sperm from traveling through your cervix, up and into your uterus and into your fallopian tubes. These methods control where the sperm can go and prevent the sperm from doing their thing—fertilizing the egg. Condoms, Diaphragms and Cervical Caps are  barrier methods.  If you are interested in Diaphragms or Cervical Caps, make an appointment and get measured for the correct size.

Spermicide: Used as foam or gel, Spermicide works because it kills or immobilizes sperm.  Spermicide is put into your vagina or on the condom covered penis and inhibits the sperm to “get going.”   You can purchase spermicide over the counter.

Intrauterine Device (IUD): IUDs are small, T-shaped devices made of flexible plastic inserted into your uterus to prevent pregnancy.  They create an unacceptable environment for an egg. IUDs are extremely effective and can last up to 12 years.  ParaGard is the only hormone-free IUD available in the USA.

Withdrawal (AKA: The Pull-Out Method): Although this is a hormone-free contraception option, it is very risky and is not as effective as other methods. To learn about the effectiveness of the Pull-Out Method, check out our earlier post.

Permanent Methods—Sterilization for Women (Tubal Sterilization): With sterilization, your fallopian tubesare blocked  in one of many ways (tying and cutting the tubes, inserting a small metal coil, electrical current, clips, clamps or rings, etc.). Sterilization is nearly 100 percent effective.  However, this method is permanent and not recommended for women who may want to have a biological child in the future.

Remember to think ahead, be ready, and enjoy the moment.

Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org

Consensual Text is featured on Twitter and on Facebook .  Fan and follow us for info on a range of topics pertaining to sex and sexual health!

It is a bit hard for me to reconcile that this is the country that brought us something as sultry and hot as the Kama Sutra.  That said, anyone who can pull off a 6 minute video with four men singing in pastel colored condom suits and extensive choreography deserves some credit.

“I am the condom friend ever useful to you,” does have a certain ring to it.

Although the topic of anal sex is often considered taboo, the CDC reports approximately 40% of men and 35% of women between the ages of 15 and 44 have engaged in heterosexual anal sex. Approximately 3.7% of men surveyed reported engaging in anal sex with other men.

Most important: if you engage in anal sex – use a condom.  Unprotected anal sex is 5 times more risky than vaginal sex and 50 times more risky than oral sex when it comes to contracting HIV.  Those are important facts!

Know your partner’s and your own STD status.

For both men and women the anus has many sensitive nerve endings that make it a great area for sexual stimulation. For men, stimulation of the prostate gland can be very pleasurable. 

If you decide to have anal sex –

• Use lots of water-based lube
• If you use a dildo make sure it is soft and flexible
• If you are using your fingers, make sure fingernails are clipped
• ALWAYS proceed slowly, listen to your partner.  If your partner says stop – absolutely stop.

Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org

The answer is YES, you can get pregnant.

There is nothing about hot tubs, swimming pools, or any body of water for that matter, that prevents pregnancy or STI transmission.

People have been having sex in bodies of water for years.  However, it is much harder to put a condom on correctly when you are partially submerged.

Water feels great, but it can wash away the vagina’s natural lubricant and/or any lube you put on the condom.

Lastly, condoms aren’t tested for use in pools; some research states that chlorine adversely affects condoms.

The chance of being interrupted is also increased-could look bad!

All this information may make you want to stick to foreplay to the water,  and have sex poolside, or on the beach, which is another topic for another week.

Planned Parenthood of northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org

Who doesn’t love a good sex ed spoof (courtesy of Texas Freedom Network Education Fund – Just Say Don’t Know: Sexuality Education in Texas Public Schools)?

What kind of sex education did(n’t) you get?

If you are worried about STDs or pregnancy, it will interfere with those wonderful feelings of pleasure, arousal, and desire.  It is so much easier to feel aroused and enjoy sex when you aren’t concerned about being safe and responsible.  Fear and worry hinder all of us from being over the top with excitement.

When men are worried, they can experience premature ejaculation. When women are worried, they often lack lubrication and experience vaginal tightness.  This does not help anyone enjoy sex and feel sensual.

 Tips for being safer and sexier …

• Introduce condoms into your sex life (if you haven’t already) – and be creative about using them. Put the condom on your partner with your mouth, put the condom on slowly, put it on together…
• Use water-based lube-lots of it- to make sex slippery and sensual.  Safer sex soars when sex feels great and wet (and the bonus is that the lube prevents the condom from breaking). 
• Carry a condom if you are a woman – it is assertive and it is sexy.
• With a female condom, remember that it is made of polyurethane and is much thinner than latex making it easier to feel the “sex heat” you and your partner create.
• Talk dirty.  It is a sexy turn-on.  Talking about using condoms and lube  can make it hot and sexy.  Communication about what you like is good for the relationship – so make it fun – use sexy/naughty/hot language.

And the greatest turn-on of all: laughter. If things get a little awkward, nothing breaks the tension like humor. Besides, laughing is a natural aphrodisiac.

Use latex for all genital sex and remember … get yourself tested.  

Planned Parenthood health centers across the country are offering low- or no-cost STD testing for the month of April.  Use the zip code finder and get yourself tested.

Planned Parenthood of Northern New England’s Education Department carefully selects all weekly questions. All questions are actual inquiries made to PPNNE by college-aged students.

Should you have a question you would like to see included, please send an email to goddess@ppnne.org