CONDOMS!

[GirlinContempt]

This may be out of place, but I'm doing a Womens Sexuality and Health for Teens workshop, and I know about zilch when it comes to female condoms... I mean, I know the basics you learn about, but do people USE them? Any good brands, pointers, warnings?

On the same condom topic, anyone have feelings about boys ones, brand loyalty? After a few of a couple of brands broke during demonstrations in classes, I've put them on my badlist...

If this isn't appropriate or whatever, just say the word...

[bigwillq]

1. Which ones broke? (nt)

[GirlinContempt]

2. Lifestyles...

Which are donated to a lot of the high schools for free. Ended up doing some fund raising for not so breakable condoms... And what was the other kind... Life Brand, owned by Shoppers Drug Mart. Generic, though I've had some good luck with other generics before...

[Kat45]

32. Oh no! Been using that brand lately.

Glad none broke, but this is good to know for future reference.

[GirlinContempt]

36. Maybe we just got a bad... six batches

One broke as I was CAREFULLY positioning it on a wooden penis infront of a class... It was bad bad baaad

[Failure]

45. I'm glad you had "good luck" nt

[GirlinContempt]

49. Thanks for your support

[TrogL]

97. Damn, I like that brand

oh, well, time to switch

[Guy Fawkes]

3. Try this link...

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/

They might have some articles for you...

[GirlinContempt]

4. Thanks

All the stuff I found I know, except only one brand is listed... I thought there were more

[Whitacre D_WI]

"Female comdoms" suck.

They make farting noises during intercourse.

[GirlinContempt]

6. *laughs*

Thats what I've heard... but I can't leave out any forms or manners of BC

[Whitacre D_WI]

7. Not even withdrawal?

It's not very effective, but all the big movie directors use it.

[GirlinContempt]

10. Yeah... my 'withdrawl' part goes something like this:

Some people think that withdrawl works. Some people also think that you can get pregnant from Cyber sex, and that Saddam was behind sept. 11th.
Don't believe.

[Failure]

47. My Grandpa once said, "Our family is PROOF that the rhythm method doesn't

work."

[GirlinContempt]

48. Ohmygod

That tops my grandma and the raincoat

[Book Lover]

5. It was fun to use but

a pretty messy method, IMO. I've only ever used the one three-pack I bought a few years back. I use the sponge now (via the internet) and love it.

on edit: It kills me to admit it, but the man is right; there are certain unfortunate (unless you really need the laugh) sounds that are often made...

[GirlinContempt]

8. I seem to recall the ones we played with in High School

Being pretty icky and messy. The sponge is great for LTRs :)
I've found that a lot of the kids have aversions to putting things in their vaginas though...

[Book Lover]

11. I certainly did

have issues with touching myself "down there" even for hygenic or other non-sexual purposes. Damn you Catholic Church!

Um, what's LTRs? Long-term relationships? If so, I don't follow your meaning.

[GirlinContempt]

13. LTR = Long Term Relationship

because they don't protect you from AIDS or STI's

[Book Lover]

14. Duh!

See kids! This is why we need continuing education! Even me, a 35 year old mother who was the president of the Women's Center in college, can forget the fundamentals. Happy to be an object lesson.

[GirlinContempt]

15. Thats what sickos like me are for...

We live and breathe sex so you don't have to!

I lost myself...

[Kat45]

33. I thought the sponge was taken off the market.

They're available on the internet?

[GirlinContempt]

34. I know they're avail. in Canada

[Pithlet]

55. They were, but now they're back.

Hard to find, though.

On an episode of Seinfeld after they took the sponge off the market, Elaine would decide if somoene was "spongeworthy" enough to deplete her stock of sponges that she stockpiled before they pulled them. I always think of that now whenever The Sponge is brought up.

[Kat45]

66. I remember that episode. It was a riot!

[Book Lover]

75. I get mine at

http://www.getcanadiandrugs.com/view_product.php?ProductID=1234

Disclaimer: I only state to inform, not endorse or anything else a lawyer could throw at me.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

9. the reason

no one is taught to use female condoms is cos they are impossible difficult to use

[GirlinContempt]

12. We were taught how to use them

... but not very well... no wooden vagina's for handy demonstrations...I don't focous on them a lot because they seem to be a hassle, and very few people seem to use em.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

16. they are a hassle

and men should take some responsibility...male condoms are easier to use...vasectomies are far less intrusive than a tubectomy is

[GirlinContempt]

19. I don't doubt they are

And lots of men do take some responsibility, but unfortunately when they don't, we have to step in. I want to make sure 'my girls' are aware of every possible option open to em.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

26. i wish girls were raised more assertive

where they could just walk away and say "no condoms no sex"

[GirlinContempt]

27. Thats one of the things

I'm trying to teach these girls. If you don't have condoms, DON'T DO IT. Give him a handjob, have him do the same for you, take a walk to the corner store, or just walk out.

I tell them the story of my little sister who got chlamydia three times in the same month, because her boyfriend refused to use condoms, and even though she got treated, he kept giving it back to her. It was a lot of pain, medication (which was free, but isn't always), and a HUGE risk.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

30. YIKES!

how awful!

[GirlinContempt]

31. Yeah, it was horrid

I took her to the clinic each and every time... when her boyfriend phoned I said (and I quote) "Hey, scum sucking asshole, go get yourself cleaned up, until you do, you aren't allowed to even talk to her on the phone" and hung up.

Its a nice horror story when I relate it to teens in LTR's (used loosely) about the evils of unprotected sex.

[Lizz612]

42. NO GLOVE, NO LOVE!! eom

[GirlinContempt]

44. *snicker*

Once my grandma told my brother he 'better put a raincoat on or he'd catch a cold'

[Lizz612]

52. Haahaa

A cold!? Oh thats funny!

[GirlinContempt]

53. It was really cute

She did the 'wiggly eyebrows you know what I'm talking about' thing

[Lizz612]

65. Aaahahaha!

I want a grandma like yours!

Ps. I saw your pics in the other thread... rawr!

[GirlinContempt]

68. Yeah

Unfortunatly my grandma passed away last summer, but I have some amazing memories of her... she was lots of fun....

And... thanks *blush*

[BiggJawn]

76. "Hey Doc, I think I gotta cold in my cock!"

Doctor: (squeezing a little discharge out of it) "Hmmmm..I think until I hear it sneeze, we'll call it The Clap..."

[GirlinContempt]

77. Hey!

Don't ruin my cute grandma! Thats just gross :P

[Dogmudgeon]

78. No Condoms, No Sex

I must be living in an alternate universe -- I've never had a problem with using a condom, but I've had a couple of girlfriends who found them "icky".

For some reason, a lot of women want to become pregnant, even unmarried and with no long-term partner and no financial security. It's a sad situation, but there it is.

--bkl

[Whitacre D_WI]

17. Wooden vaginas are no good.

They leave splinters.

[GirlinContempt]

18. *choke*

Bad! You just made me scare the crap out of my cat with fits of hysterical laughter...

[GirlinContempt]

20. And what kind...

of condoms would you suggest to protect from said splinters? :P

[Whitacre D_WI]

21. The steel-belted kind.

[GirlinContempt]

22. .....hot....

[Whitacre D_WI]

23. Yeah...

...but it hurts like hell if a belt snaps.

[GirlinContempt]

24. But its SO rivet*

Rivet/Rivethead: Person who listens to industrial music :P

[camero]

51. Goodyear or Michelin? n/t

[GirlinContempt]

25. Not ONE recommendation?

[kixot]

35. For men: Trojan

Best brand ever. Never had a problem, never broken one. Always found them to be stronger and better quality than anything else. Plus, they come in various "for her pleasure" styles. Stay away from the "extended pleasure" ones, though, they just numb both parties out.

[GirlinContempt]

37. Numb like...

a vibrator set too high for too long? or numb like boring?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

38. lol

do you own a wahls-7 in 1. thats numbing from high speed vibrator

[GirlinContempt]

39. No

I want a magic wand, but they cost a fortune...
I have one that goes from nothing-doin to god-help-me, I don't remember the brand, and one with no speed control but multi heads, that ones fun but it heats me up and numbs me out.

[La Lioness Priyanka]

40. try the wahls

just as powerful as the wand and far less expensive

[GirlinContempt]

41. Is it a plug or a battery?

I don't really NEED the power... I just want the experience.

Oh, I forgot to mention my water-proof rubber duckie shaped one... gag value :P

[La Lioness Priyanka]

43. its electronic

[GirlinContempt]

46. Did duckie

scare you?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

54. lol

duckie is not powerful enough to scare moi :)

[GirlinContempt]

59. No, he really isn't

He kinda peters out after 15 minutes, needs a little rest before he's back up to full speed

[kixot]

56. No, numb like masturbating with a novacane lube.

Completely numbs the nerve endings. Supposed to help control the male climax but backfires by anesthetizing the vagina.

[GirlinContempt]

60. Weird....

Whats the point?

[kixot]

64. It's SUPPOSED to help extend the male climax.

But again, it backfires because it numbs the vaginal walls, so eh. No point in extending the male climax if it inhibits the female one.

[GirlinContempt]

69. I can think of at least

5 men who disagree with that assessment, just off the top of my head :P

[eyesroll]

28. I had an unfortunate encounter with the Reality brand in college

I wrote an article for the school paper. If I remember correctly, it felt weird. It had two rubber-ish rings -- one at the "top" and one at the "bottom." The top one was pretty damn uncomfortable (cervical smacking, anyone?); the bottom one was supposed to hang out. The 3-pack PP gave me came with a small bottle of lube, which made the (already lubed) condom super-slimy.

And, yes, the flatulent sound reported is sadly true. They can squeak, as well.

I've read that, since they cover more skin, they're better at preventing the spread of herpes and HPV than male condoms, but I think the potential for slippage and leakage would be greater. Maybe that's just due to inexperience -- but I really didn't want to get experienced with that.

Hope this helps.

[GirlinContempt]

29. Thanks :)

Helpful indeed

[Failure]

50. was I the only guy who posted on this thread?? eom

[GirlinContempt]

57. Could be...

Think about it... one guy amid hordes of sex talking women... if you like that sort of thing

[kixot]

58. no

n/t

[Pithlet]

61. My first born

is a condom baby. The brand was Trojan, IIRC.

[GirlinContempt]

62. IIRC?

[Pithlet]

63. I'm sorry. IIRC is "If I recall correctly"

:)

[GirlinContempt]

70. Ahhh ok

And here I thought I was up on the internet lingo :)

[SarahB]

67. Polyurethane

Latex issues. Been awhile since I used any though. :shrug:

[GirlinContempt]

71. I've never used any that aren't latex

What brand?

[SarahB]

72. I haven't used them in years

Durex Ultra or Trojan Supreme I think they were called. They slip off more easily (not to infer anything). Lambskins are okay too for latex issues, but some people have ethical issues with it and they don't protect against STD's (monogamy one benefit).

[politicat]

73. I may be the only female in the world who likes the reality....

Go figure.

Maybe I'm shaped funny.

The downsides are: 1) you better be really comfy touching yourself. 2) Do not try this without lube. 3) Missionary sucks. (Literally - that's where the noisy bits come from with me.) 4) They're more expensive than male condoms, especially if you can get the boy versions at the health center.....

The upsides: G-spot. G-SPOT. G-SPOT!!!!! The inner ring is.... um.... helpful!! If you're not wedded to the idea of missionary, they're fairly comfortable, and give good protection. They're tougher, at least in my experience, than the male version. And the ones I had when barrier methods were still an issue (i.e. before monogamy and operations) were latex free. Good for me.

Honestly, I can't and won't buy into the whole "he should take some responsibility" argument. Maybe I'm weird, but I remember a number of encounters where I was as much the aggressor as the lad/lass I was with. The whole "girls are the gatekeepers" argument for me has always smacked LOUDLY of the double standard. No, it's not just the lads who want a bit of nookie. My philosophy growing up in the post AIDS 90's was, if I wanted sex, I had to be prepared to deal with every consequence, because it's my body. I'm responsible for it, not my father, my government, my mother, or my boyfriend/girlfriend. ME. MY BODY.

Thus, I carried both types of condoms, but didn't make an issue if the person I was with preferred I wear it. One or the other had to happen, of course, but there was no pressure on the other half of the equation. After all, it's my body that I had to protect.

Pcat. (Who can't believe she just shared this with the entire internet.....)

[GirlinContempt]

74. Cool :)

You're the first person I've heard say they like the female condom... And I see your point on the responsibility bit...

Feel comfortable telling me which positions it works best in?

[politicat]

79. sure.

But you know, our copy of the Kama Sutra is already packed and moved to the new house....*grin* So I'm winging these. I'm going to send them to you privately, so the mods don't get annoyed with me. I hate being on someone's hsit list.

Pcat

[GirlinContempt]

80. Alright...

Why would the mods get upset? :shrug:

[politicat]

81. Okay, you got me. It's a ... shy thing.

Were you here, with a couple of iced mochas (or BOYC) on the table, a sketch pad and a pencil, and the boys locked out so they wouldn't get shocked that yes indeedy, women do talk about sex! I could explain them no problem.

It's the sitting around my kitchen table and telling the 60 million or so internet users world wide about sexual positions that's putting a crimp on my typing fingers.

Call me a prude, at least that will be original!

Pcat....

[GirlinContempt]

82. *grin*

Alright, don't worry about it, some of my BEST FRIENDS are prudes, really ;)

Seriously, I understand

[Misunderestimator]

83. Dental dams

for use in oral sex... just thought I'd add that in case it wasn't on your list.

[GirlinContempt]

84. Oh yeah

But we don't have a very... large brand selection for those... I either tell the kids to carefully use condoms (as most won't go out of their way for dams) or give them ones I... appropriate from hospitals... or are donated.
They're hard to find for sale at all... let alone in variety now that I think of it.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

85. I have question you could possibly answer

Ribbed condoms - do they actually give any extra pleasure to the woman? Or are they totally useless? I always wondered this, but never really wanted to ask someone I just tried them on...

Oh, I like Durex.

[GirlinContempt]

86. Women with

highly sensitive 'g' spots have found them to give extra pleasure, as they add... friction. It always depends on the position, and the woman. But, yes, there can be added pleasure with them.

[Nicholas D Wolfwood]

92. Thanks ladies

Y'all rock!

[GirlinContempt]

98. No problem

[La Lioness Priyanka]

87. useless!

in my opinion

[GirlinContempt]

88. Maybe we should start

an 'Ask Girlincontempt and lionesspriyanka' thread ;) hehe

[La Lioness Priyanka]

90. that a great idea...you start it...i'll help ya with the questions

[GirlinContempt]

91. How would the

mods feel about that?

[La Lioness Priyanka]

93. fine...so long as its not overtly sexual

[GirlinContempt]

96. Alright

I'll give it a try :)

[Skittles]

89. they are like hefty bags

:o

[Padraig18]

94. Don't economize on male condoms; buy the best--- Trojans!

Trust me on this one, OK? 'Trojan' brand condoms are to condoms what Bentleys are to automobiles.;)

[GirlinContempt]

95. See, and I prefer Volvo ;)