Posts Tagged ‘condoms’

Of course condoms are an effective tool for preventing HIV, other STDs, and unintended pregnancy, but who knew they were so cool to use?

Planned Parenthood’s campaign, “Where Did You Wear It?” kicked off Valentine’s Week (also aptly named “National Condom Weel”) to let people virtually share where they did the deed, but most importantly, where they did it while using a condom.

When you visit the “Where Did You Wear It?” website, it prompts you to “Check In” then answer a series of demographic questions, such as the general vicinity of your recent, protected encounter, the gender of both parties, and your age – otherwise, it’s all anonymous.  It then provides options that best describe your relationship with that partner which range from “All about love” to “What relationship?”

Next, Planned Parenthood and fellow condom-users want to know why you chose to wear the condom in the first place. Then there’s a question about the sex itself, where you can choose an answer like, “The sex was… Fair—a work in progress,” and last, the essential question: “Where did you wear it?”  Although, the website doesn’t allow for personalized details about the exact location, like “In the photo booth on the Santa Monica Pier” or “In an Urban Outfitters dressing room” (some little secrets are best kept for yourself), it does offer a slightly less juicy, yet pretty comprehensive dropdown list to choose from.

Now you might be thinking, well that’s cool and all, but how am I supposed to remember to get on a computer, find the website, and answer all these questions after every toe-tingling escapade?  Well, the geniuses behind this idea thought of a solution to that: thousands and thousands of condoms that Planned Parenthoods are handing out now have a Quick Response (QR) code on the wrapper for all you smart-phoners to easily scan whilst enjoying your post-coital bliss.

The “Where Did You Wear It?” program may sound somewhat lighthearted and amusing, but the motives behind it are very serious. The mission of a campaign like this is to persuade sexually active people to use condoms by providing them with a platform to brag about their responsible
decision, and by making them feel tuned-in to a new trend, because condom wearing is all the rage—people all over the country are doing it!

As the disclaimer at the bottom of their webpage points out, “sex happens,” and no one knows that better than an organization like Planned Parenthood, whose unrelenting job it is to help reduce the risks associated with people having sex.  Since so many people are doing it, we might as well make doing it safely cool.

And speaking of cool condoms, now at your local Planned Parenthood, you can stock up on Keith Haring edition Proper Attire condoms.  I mean, how sweet is that?!

For further reading on the “Where Did You Wear It?” campaign, check out:

Where did you wear it?

The Daily Caller

The Huffington Post

You can also see some of the late Keith Haring’s condom wrapper designs and learn about his AIDS awareness initiatives here.

During my time working at Planned Parenthood, I’ve probably heard every possible excuse not to use a condom.  But no excuse is good enough when your health is on the line. Here are some of the most common excuses (and falsehoods) that I hear on a daily basis and how to respond back:

“Condoms don’t really work, so why should we use them?”
When used properly, condoms are 98% effective at preventing pregnancy and greatly lower your chance of contracting sexually transmitted infections.

“We would use a condom, but my boyfriend says he doesn’t fit.”
There are different sizes of condoms.  From snug fit to extra large, every person can find condoms that fit them.  On top of that, there are tons of different types of condoms: fitted, ribbed, studded, flavored and so much more!

“I’m allergic to condoms.”
Then maybe you’re allergic to latex.  And if you are allergic to latex, you can get non-latex condoms.  Even allergies shouldn’t be an excuse.

“We trust each other. Why would we need a condom?”
People can carry sexually transmitted infections without knowing it.  When it comes to your health, would you rather trust words from someone that could possibly give you an STI, or a condom that will put a barrier between that STI and you?

“He says it doesn’t feel as good with a condom.”
You know what else doesn’t feel good? Chlamydia.  Also, when you know you’re protecting yourself from sexually transmitted infections and an unplanned pregnancy, you’re both going to feel more relaxed during sex.

“He says he can just pull out.”
This doesn’t do much if you’re trying to prevent sexually transmitted infections. And pre-cum can still get a woman pregnant.  This is a very hard method to master that takes a lot of self control and trust.  With typical use, there’s a 27% chance you could become pregnant.

All of these myths are just that: myths. Condoms should be used every time you have sex. So, don’t be fooled or coerced by false information. You need to know how to use a condom, what to do when if it breaks, what lubricants work and don’t work, and how to talk about condom usage with your partner.  Learn all of that and more at the condom section of the Planned Parenthood website.

A doctor in South Africa has invented a new device that she hopes will help prevent sexual assault. Called Rape-aXe, it’s a type of female condom that includes jagged rows of hooks… which would then attach themselves to a penis during penetration. In the words of the inventor, Dr. Sonnet Ehlers:

“It hurts, he cannot pee and walk when it’s on,” she said. “If he tries to remove it, it will clasp even tighter… however, it doesn’t break the skin, and there’s no danger of fluid exposure.”

Evidently, once it has attached itself, only a doctor can remove it.

I have to admit that I’m somewhat torn about this. While I am, obviously, in favor of anything that might help to prevent sexual assault, I can definitely see the point of critics of the condom.

They argue that the condom puts women at more risk of violence from attackers, as well as feeling that “the fears surrounding the victim, the act of wearing the condom in anticipation of being assaulted all represent enslavement that no woman should be subjected to.”

On the other hand, South Africa evidently has one of the highest rates of sexual assault and violence in the world. According to the linked article, women in South Africa “take drastic measures to prevent rape… with some wearing extra tight biker shorts and others inserting razor blades wrapped in sponges in their private parts.” If potential sexual assaulters know that this device is out there and may be being used, would it stop them? And if it stops just one sexual assault, isn’t it worth it? We may find out soon, as Dr. Ehlers has planned to distribute over 30,000 of the condoms during the World Cup.

Where do you come down on Rape-aXe? Do you think it’s a possible preventative measure, or something that, in the long run, could end up hurting women even more?

Getting Lucky night out in Chapel Hill

The UNC VOX (Voices for Planned Parenthood) group passed out condoms on the late night bus that loops from campus to downtown.  One of the co-chairs, Lee, wrote about their experience for the blog Amplify. 

“It’s remarkable what people will share when we as individuals give our friends and peers the opportunity to engage in dialogue about their sex lives, health, and desire to protect themselves. Sometimes all it takes is giving a stranger a smile and a condom.”

Read the post here.

If you ever have a friend in need, remember to tell them to come to Planned Parenthood- we are here to help.