10 Fun, Freaky, Fabulous Facts About Condoms

As the nation’s largest provider of sex education, Planned Parenthood works every day to reduce the number of sexually transmitted infections and unintended pregnancies and to keep people healthy. In conjunction with Valentine’s Day and National Condom Week (February 14-21), let’s take a look at some FACTS ABOUT CONDOMS AND CONDOMS USE. Some are mind-blowing, some are straight to the point. Enjoy and be safe!  

Recursos en Español con más infomación sobre los condones al final.

1. Condoms can actually HELP your sex life!
Contrary to popular belief that condoms do nothing for your mojo, people who use condoms rate their sexual experiences just as pleasurable as people who don’t.

2. Easy peasy!
Unlike other forms of birth control, you don’t need a prescription to get condoms. They’re one of the most accessible and affordable types of birth control.

3. All the single ladies…
According to a 2008 study by the Guttmacher Institute, only 19% of single women aged 20 to 44 always use condoms. What’s up with that, ladies? Protect yourself!

4. Yabba Dabba Doo!
The earliest known illustration of someone using a condom is a 12,000+ year old cave painting. Guess we missed that episode of The Flintstones!

5. Silent but violent
Most people who have an STD don’t even realize it, since many STDs cause no immediate symptoms. For example, 75% of women and 50% of men with chlamydia have no symptoms.

6. Variety is the spice of life
There are plenty of different kinds of condoms out there. (non-latex, FC2 female condoms, flavored, colored, ribbed, etc.). Wonder if there are any red hot cinnamon-flavored ones for Valentine’s Day?

7. Dynamic duo
Even if you’re using another method of birth control, you may be at risk of getting an STD. Condoms+birth control = the best way to prevent both pregnancy and STDs. So put one on before you get it on!

8. HIV fighter
When it comes to HIV, using a condom makes sex 10,000 TIMES SAFER than not using one.

9. Don’t worry, be happy. Very happy.
Condoms are a good way to feel more relaxed about your sex life. Many people say they find sex more enjoyable when they use condoms because they aren’t worrying about STDs or unintended pregnancy.

10. COMMUNICATE!
Yeah, we know talking about safe sex with your partner can be hard. But it’s important to communicate. Develop a plan and practice what you will say to your partner. Don’t be shy about communicating your needs and feelings. Send a message that condom use is essential every single time you have sex. A partner who respects you, respects your health, and their health as well.

New to condom use or need a refresher, check out the videos below.

• How to Use a Condom in English
• Cómo Usar Un Condón
• Planned Parenthood: Condoms in English 
• Planned Parenthood: Condones
• The Female Condom in English
• Condón Femenino

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This post was created by Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL). PPIL provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare services and education to more than 60,000 Illinoisans each year. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of PPIL.

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Back to the Basics: Female Condoms and Global Female Condom Day

With Global Female Condom Day right around the corner it’s time we get back to basics. Nationwide one in six people have herpes and over 19 million will contract a sexually transmitted infection (STI) each year. 

This means when it comes to contraception, people need different methods at different times in their lives that protect against both unintended pregnancy and STIs. For safer sex, Planned Parenthood thinks the more options, the better.

Why internal condoms?

Internal condoms, or female condoms (FCs), are the only contraceptive barrier method where the receptive partner is in control. This means you can feel empowered to take back control of your sex life and your health! Also, internal condoms are prescription free, hormone free and latex free option for both anal and vaginal sex.

What we love about FCs

No interruptions please: FCs can be inserted hours before vaginal sex so nothing will interrupt the heat of the moment! Unlike male condoms, FCs don’t require an erect penis which means your partner doesn’t have to pull out right away which often allows men to feel less constricted during sex.

Hot, hot, hot: Made of nitrile, FCs adjust to your body temperature so you and your partner can feel the heat! Plus, during vaginal sex the internal ring can stimulate the head of a penis and the outer ring can stimulate the clitoris for double the pleasure.

Top Tips

Remember being nervous the first time you tried something new? Internal condoms are the same way, but practice makes perfect! Here are some recommendations when first trying FCs:

-Use lots of lube to ensure that sex goes smoothly and the condom doesn’t move.

-Try inserting a FC several times, alone or before any sex act, to feel comfortable with the product. Third times a charm!

-Never use a male and female condom at the same time. It actually increases the likelihood of breakage and always be sure to check the expiration date before use.

Get Involved

Find a Planned Parenthood health center near you to pick up your own to try or visit www.ringonit.org to learn more about staying safe. Take the pledge to join us in advocating for FCs in your own community and join us as we celebrate Global Female Condom Day with radio personality Loni Swain!

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This post was created by Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL). PPIL provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare services and education to more than 60,000 Illinoisans each year. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of PPIL.

Connect with PPIL on Google+ and LinkedIn.
Connect with PPIA on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube.
Subscribe to our blog feed. 

Volunteers Push Female Condom for National Condom Week

During National Condom Week, Planned Parenthood Action Team members in Chicago participated in a training to become Female Condom Advocates. Action Team members received an education session from a Planned Parenthood of Illinois Community Educator about Female Condoms- an effective barrier method of contraception that protects against unintended pregnancy and STIs.

Volunteers were pleasantly surprised to learn that the design of the Female Condom provides additional STI protection by reducing skin to skin contact between partners. PPIL’s Educator taught volunteers the proper way to correctly and consistently use Female Condoms (FC2s) while highlighting that this is an effective prevention method for any receptive partner regardless of gender.

Action Team members learned more than just the medical facts. Female Condoms are an effective method of contraception, but they can also be sexy! FC2s are made from nitrile, a material that conducts heat and adjusts to the body of the receptive partner. Nitrile makes FC2s hypoallergenic and a great option for individuals who need to avoid latex. The inner and outer rings of FC2s have also been said to increase stimulation for both partners.

Volunteers were able to put this new FC2 knowledge into action right away. They created photo petitions in support of Female Condoms and the Chicago Female Condom Campaign. Action Team members shared messages like “Safe Sex is Sexy” and “I love Female Condoms because they are queer friendly and good for all genders.” Protecting oneself and having options for this protection were clearly important to our volunteers.

And the fun didn’t stop there! Action Team members were trained on how to advocate for Chicago pharmacies to carry FC2s. Volunteers hit the pavement and checked their local pharmacy shelves for FC2s. They dropped off Valentine’s to the pharmacists and asked them to begin carrying FC2s. They celebrated and showed appreciation to the pharmacies that already have FC2s available. In one week, nine volunteers took action at 31 Chicago pharmacies!

The Planned Parenthood Action Team is a grassroots group of individuals who stand with Planned Parenthood and work with us to make sure every individual has the rights, the knowledge, and the access to healthcare they need to make their own reproductive choices.

Are you interested in taking action with us? There are active Action Teams in Chicago, Peoria, and Bloomington. Apply online today!

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This post was created by Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA). PPIA is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL).

Connect with PPIA on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube.
Connect with PPIL on Google+ and LinkedIn.
Subscribe to our blog feed.   

National Condom Week

February 14 - 21 is National Condom Week!

Did you know that every year in the U.S. there are more than three million unintended pregnancies and approximately 19 million new sexually transmitted infections?

Using condoms consistently and correctly provides the best protection against sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia, gonorrhea, HIV, and helps prevent unintended pregnancy.

It’s important to talk with your partner about using condoms before you engage in sexual activity so you both are on board with using protection. Talking about condoms is also a good time to discuss if you will also be using another form of birth control which best reduces your risk of unintended pregnancy.

Have you ever heard your partner say sex feels better without a condom? Well it’s not going to feel like anything if you have a hundred worrisome thoughts in your head during sex. Many women and men say they find sex more enjoyable when they’re protected because they aren’t worrying about unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections.

There is enough to worry about in your day-to-day life you don’t need to add-on the worry or stress of a sexually transmitted infection or unintended pregnancy. Latex and plastic condoms, as well as female condoms, are highly effective in preventing pregnancy, and they’re the only forms of birth control that also help reduce the risk of sexually transmitted infections.

There are so many different types of condoms available that were created to make you and your partner enjoy sex. If you try a certain style or brand and don’t like it, try something new the next time. If you feel embarrassed about purchasing condoms from a grocery store or gas station you can always go to the Planned Parenthood of Illinois health center nearest you for low cost condoms. We have even created our stylish PROPER ATTIRE® condoms line - safe sex is fashionable!

If you have a funny or embarrassing story that has to do with condoms share it with us below. It’s National Condom Week and there will never be a better time or place to share your story!
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This post was created by Planned Parenthood of Illinois (PPIL). PPIL provides comprehensive reproductive healthcare services and education to more than 60,000 Illinoisans each year. Planned Parenthood Illinois Action (PPIA) is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization formed as the advocacy and political arm of PPIL.

Connect with PPIL on Google+ and LinkedIn.
Connect with PPIA on Facebook, Twitter, Google+, and YouTube.
Subscribe to our blog feed.