sexmadesimple:

Things you should remember about barrier methods:

• Oil based lubricants (massage oils, Vaseline etc) degrade latex
• Extra strength condoms can be better for anal
• Lambskin condoms don’t protect against pregnancy
• Some people are allergic to flavors
• Condoms come in all kinds of sizes. And one brand’s large can be another brand’s regular. Shop around to see what fits.
• Keeping barrier methods in your wallet can degrade their quality
• A lot of folks have allergic reactions to spermicidal lubes
• Also spermicide shortens the shelf-life of condoms
• For that matter, barrier methods have a shelf life. Make sure yours are in date.
• Stick to popular brands like Durex or Trojan, other less-known brands may not be of a high enough quality
• Swap your condom if swapping from anal to vaginal
• Use condoms for toys if you’re sharing
• Dental dams come in various flavors
• Vaginal condoms are generally latex free but double check because you do get the odd brand that makes them in latex.

I don’t ever reblog things, but this post needed some facts being straightened out, so I thought it was appropriate:

1. Lambskin condoms do prevent against pregnancy, but they do not prevent against STI transmission. This is because lambskin condoms have microscopic porous holes in them in which STIs can swim through.

2. About condom brands. They really are all the same. Each condom that is FDA approved goes through the same tests. Some including being able to hold a gallon of water, fit over a basketball (although this takes some serious practice!) and should actually be able to hold a few dozen ping-pong balls. Every brand that is approved by the FDA has the same effectiveness standard. Sorry to burst your bubble-but Trojan is not better than say “Lifestyles” or “Crown” or “Beyond Seven”. You’re just paying for brand names and heteronormative advertising, baby. One more fact though, Durex, is legitimately the world’s best condom brand for pleasure and breakage ratings.

3. Just something I wanted to add. NEVER use flavored lubes or condoms inside a vagina. These are for EXTERNAL play only! They will cause a yeast infection because they are made with sugar.

4. If using a silicone toy, NEVER use silicone-based lube with it. Silicone, in it’s natural state is a solid. They put a special enzyme in it to make it a liquid, like in lubricant. If you use silicone lube on a silicone toy, it will actually melt the toy. If you want to keep your toy for a while, this is not a wise idea.

Stay Safe and Sexy Loves. <3

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