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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Learn Your HIV status, Help End the Disease

Today is National HIV Testing Day, and it’s important to know your health status because HIV is a preventable disease.

HIV stands for human immunodeficiency virus. It is not curable, and can lead to AIDS, or acquired immune deficiency syndrome.

The virus wrecks blood cells that your body needs to fight off infections and diseases. Medical advancement has made it possible for people to live decades with HIV, before it  progresses to AIDS, but it’s still one of the leading causes of death.

In Chicago, HIV/AIDS was the fourth highest cause of death for people ages 34-55.

HIV and AIDS in Illinois

The virus is spread through unprotected sex, using needles to take drugs, and other ways in which someone can come into contact with another person’s bodily fluids.

The state has the eighth highest cumulative number of AIDS cases in the country, and one in four people who are HIV+ do not realize it. Those who don’t know they have HIV are responsible for the majority of new HIV infections in other people.

With few symptoms, the only way to know your status is to get tested. Planned Parenthood of Illinois is offering free rapid HIV testing at its Austin, Englewood and Roseland health centers. You can also receive free HIV testing in Peoria this weekend.

Testing, testing, 1, 2, 3

Learning your status is as easy as 1-2-3. First, go online to find a testing center near you. Make an appointment with a health care provider. Then, get tested.

At Planned Parenthood health centers, your status is confidential. The organization provides hundreds of thousands of HIV tests nationwide.

Do something

Of the new cases of HIV infection, 24 percent are women, 39 percent are young people between the ages of 13-29, and men who have sex with men were most severely affected.

African Americans are also disproportionately affected, representing over half of new HIV infections in 2009.

But HIV and AIDS affects everyone, and everyone can do something about it.

Learn more about HIV/AIDS, and find a testing center today. Wear condoms for each sex act, and use dental dams for oral sex.

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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. 

Know Your STD Status - Get Yourself Tested

Know yourself

Half of all sexually active people will get an STD by they time they are 25 years old. But most won’t know it, because many sexually transmitted diseases and infections don’t come with visible symptoms. The only way to really know is to get yourself tested.

Know your status

Talking with a health care provider at Planned Parenthood of Illinois health centers is private, and personal. We can help you figure out which test to get, depending on your age and experiences. You can also find out about payment options if you don’t have health insurance.

It’s important to be honest with your health care provider about your sexual history. At Planned Parenthood, we care about your health. We believe everyone deserves high-quality, affordable health care, without judgment. Your parents don’t need to know, your teachers don’t need to know. Not even your friends.

Totally normal

Illinois has some of the highest numbers of gonorrhea, chlamydia and syphilis infections in the country. Nationwide, one in six people has herpes. So if you do find out that you have an STD, don’t panic. Most are curable, all of them are treatable, and you are definitely not alone.

Over 19 million people get an STD each year. That’s more than the population of Illinois! If you become infected, a health care provider at Planned Parenthood can help you get reliable and unbiased treatment.

Get yourself tested

Taking control of your health starts with getting yourself tested. But it’s more than that. Get tested after each sexual partner, and have a conversation about it with your boyfriend, girlfriend, friend-with-benefits, sexual partner - whomever.

Can we talk about something?

It doesn’t have to be awkward. Ok, well, it doesn’t have to be too awkward. Here are some tips about having the talk:

*  Get the facts - Know your STD status, and everything about the sexually transmitted disease or infection if you have one.

*  Make some time to talk - Don’t wait until the clothes are coming off to talk to your partner about getting tested.

*  Bring it up - Be honest about your feelings, and listen to theirs. It’s normal to feel nervous about having this conversation, but it’s your sex life. You have the right to take control of your health.

*  Get yourself tested - It’s better to know what the deal is as soon as possible. That way you can get the treatments you need to protect your health, and prevent spreading an infection to others.

It happens

If you do have an STD, life will go on! People have healthy, sexually fulfilling lives even after an infection. Millions of people get them each year, and there are ways to prevent them in the future.

*  If left untreated, STDs can cause health problems later on, or they can be spread to sex partners. It’s important to take all the medicine that a health provider gives you, even if you think you’re all healed.

*  Learn about the STD or STI so you can understand how it’s spread, and ways to lower the risks. Have all the facts so you can have a real conversation with your sex partners.

*  Tell your partner or partners what’s going on. Hold off on sex until you’ve finished getting treated.

Just so you know

It all starts with knowing your STD status.

Visit a Planned Parenthood health center to get yourself tested, and talk with your partner about your STD health status today. To make an appointment, call 800-230-PLAN.
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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. 

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. 

National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, which is an opportunity for people to raise awareness about this pandemic and unite in the fight against HIV in the African-American community. We have made great progress so far, but there is still much work to be done.

There are approximately 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in this country, including more than 500,000 African-Americans. African-Americans account for almost half of all HIV infections in the U.S., and are the racial/ethnic demographic group most affected by HIV.

There are a number of reasons why HIV remains such a problem for the African-American community, including lack of insurance and access to health care. African-American women are more likely to be uninsured or under-insured than white women, and they often are forced to delay care because they lack the resources to pay for it. Lack of care unfortunately also means less education about the risks of infection and opportunities for counseling, testing, and treatment.

HIV/AIDS is a serious issue affecting the African-American community, but it is also a worldwide issue affecting people of all races. Regular exams and health screenings can rule out or detect HIV. Knowing your status can help save life. Planned Parenthood of Illinois offers HIV testing, including rapid HIV testing which gives results in 10 minutes, at all of our health centers.

This month can be used as a time when as friends, wives, husbands, daughters, and sons, we can encourage all those we care about to take care of themselves and get the preventive health care they deserve and need. As always we are here and will continue to be here for you — providing care— no matter what.
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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.

Time for new options in the fight against HIV/AIDS

In the United States and across the globe, women and girls are the fastest-growing population with HIV/AIDS. If we're going to stem the tide of this epidemic, we need to address gender inequality and create a full spectrum of HIV prevention options so women can put the power of prevention in their own hands.

Microbicides have tremendous potential to fill the gap in women and girl's abilities to protect themselves from HIV/AIDS . Microbicides are substances currently in development that could help reduce the sexual transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) when applied vaginally or rectally. Though not yet available, researchers are working to create microbicides that would come in a variety of forms including gels, creams, suppositories, lubricants, or a vaginal ring that would slowly release the active ingredient.

What's it going to take to make microbicides a reality? Mostly, more funding. The Microbicides Development Act of 2007 has been introduced to strengthen, streamline, and focus the United States’ commitment to microbicides research and development.

Take Action to support the Microbicides Development Act! In honor of World AIDS Day, coming up this Saturday, please spread the word and encourage your friends to take action.

For more about microbicides and how you can get involved, visit www.aidschicago.org/prevention/microbicides.php.

Planned Parenthood/Chicago Area is a proud member of the Chicago Women and Girls HIV Prevention Coalition.

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