Topic: condoms

Stop Your Snickering: Bill Gates’ Challenge To Build A Better Condom Is Seriously Important

Stop Your Snickering: Bill Gates' Challenge To Build A Better Condom Is Seriously Important

When the internet heard that Bill Gates was investing money into building a better condom, it erupted into giggle fits like a bunch of immature jocks in the back of a high school health class. Cue the Microsoft puns. But considering how many people this world has living with AIDS (approximately 34 million) and how many people’s lives are affected by STDs (too many to tabulate), maybe we should calm down with the jokes and take this issue seriously. More »

Teen Girls Just Aren’t Giving Blow Jobs Like They Used To

Teen Girls Just Aren’t Giving Blow Jobs Like They Used To

Much to the probable disappointment of sensationalistic daytime television segments everywhere, young girls are keeping it in their pants. Or rather in their partner’s pants. Actually, both! The notion that young ladies are rapidly turning to oral sex in recent years to delay intercourse has been trumped by new numbers that reveal a blow job down turn, if you will. Don’t all show your disappointment at once.
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Study: Cheaters More Likely To Skip Condoms Than Those In Open Relationships

Study: Cheaters More Likely To Skip Condoms Than Those In Open Relationships

People who cheat in relationships also tend to be less diligent about safe sex, according to a new study in the Journal of Sexual Medicine. Compared to people who had their partner’s consent to have sex with others, people who had sexual affairs without a partner’s knowledge (i.e., cheaters) were 27% less likely to use condoms for vaginal sex and 35% less likely to use condoms for anal sex. More »

Awesome High Schools Acknowledge That Teens Have Sex, Offer Condoms After Prom

Awesome High Schools Acknowledge That Teens Have Sex, Offer Condoms After Prom

You know what’s great? Low teen pregnancy rates. And what’s even greater? That those rates are low not because abstinence-only education is working (it’s not, by the way), but because teens are wising up about condoms and other forms of birth control–and because schools are finally getting the message that kids are going to have sex. It’s just a thing they do. Which is why it’s really great to read that some high schools have been providing free condoms after prom. More »

I Was Excited To Get An IUD After The Birth Of My Son — And Then It Got Lost

I Was Excited To Get An IUD After The Birth Of My Son — And Then It Got Lost

After the birth of her first child, Heather knew that she didn’t want anymore more children for awhile. So at eight weeks postpartum, the mommy of one made an appointment to have an IUD inserted. Popular with mothers and the childless for relatively low upkeep, the IUD seemed perfect for Heather, as she could keep the device in place for up to 10 years.

But then, her IUD got lost. More »

Sex Workers To Police: Please Stop Confiscating Our Condoms

Sex Workers To Police: Please Stop Confiscating Our Condoms

In New York, it’s a common practice for police to confiscate condoms as evidence in cases of alleged prostitution. Unfortunately, that means that sex workers, who are already at risk of sexual violence and who often don’t have health care and who really, really need on-the-job protection in the form of condoms, are faced with a dangerous choice: continue to work (because they need to make a living) and put themselves at greater risk of HIV and other STIs, or stop working, go hungry, and possibly risk abuse from their pimp. More »

Blisstree Debates: Should Porn Actors Be Required To Wear Condoms?

Blisstree Debates: Should Porn Actors Be Required To Wear Condoms?

Though we’re usually on the same page with most issues, the writers and editors at Blisstree don’t always see eye to eye on controversial matters–like the new law in L.A., which requires men appearing in porn movies to wear condoms in order to get a permit to film. Hanna thinks that it’s a good idea, if only in theory, while Elizabeth isn’t into laws that try to regular already self-regulating industries, like porn. Here, we’re going to let you in on our discussion. More »

Los Angeles Wants To Protect Porn Stars From Themselves—Should It?

Los Angeles Wants To Protect Porn Stars From Themselves—Should It?

Would you vote to require porn actors to use condoms? The issue may come before California voters soon, driven by a desire to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in the adult film industry. But while I’m all for safe sex, and porn stars not being placed in unnecessary risk, the adult film industry already has protocols in place to prevent the spread of disease, and I think a state-mandated condom requirement is way overstepping the government’s boundaries. More »

Alcohol Makes Everyone Want Unsafe Sex (Not Just Irresponsible Sluts)

Alcohol Makes Everyone Want Unsafe Sex (Not Just Irresponsible Sluts)

A new study says that alcohol consumption ups your chances of having unsafe sex…It’s not rocket science, but it could help clear up some misconceptions about the “kind” of people who forego condoms and spread HIV and other STDs. In the past, people have questioned whether it’s alcohol, or the personalities of the people drinking the alcohol, that make for irresponsible mating. But researchers at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health say pretty much anyone who’s had more than four or five drinks is more likely to have unsafe sex. More »

Sex (Re)Ed: 5 Ways That Otherwise Smart People Use Condoms Incorrectly

Sex (Re)Ed: 5 Ways That Otherwise Smart People Use Condoms Incorrectly

Yesterday, I wrote a breakdown of some of the many options that women and men have to prevent pregnancy and stop the spread of STIs.  Over and over, I noted that while many birth control options are effective, they must be used consistently and correctly to work. Which is how everyone assumes they’ve been doing it, especially when it comes to condoms. But even smart people make dumb mistakes when it comes to wrapping it up. More »

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