Condoms a sticky subject, but cheap birth and STD control

While we wait for a this new product, have you considered looking closely at what you’re using currently ?

When used consistently and correctly, condoms are highly effective in preventing STDs and can be 98 percent effective at preventing pregnancy.The key is correct use. The folks at Planned Parenthood says that number is closer to 85 percent effective because people don’t always follow directions. In the United States the use rate between 2011 and 2015, was just 14.8 percent of women and 19 percent of men between the ages of 15 and 44 used a condom “every time” they had intercourse in the last year.

Not exactly the news one wants to hear when you consider the rates of STDs ( sexually transmitted diseases) are now at some of the highest levels since the 40’s.

Experts believe insufficient condom use, coupled with dating apps and multiple partners and fewer public health clinics are the reason that Americans are currently infected with the highest number of STDs since the CDC started keeping track.

In 2017, there were approximately 2 million new case of gonorrhea, syphilis, and chlamydia. To put this into prospective the rates are rising with the California Department of Public Health officials revealing that 300,000 people were diagnosed with syphilis, gonorrhea, or chlamydia in the state last year (2017). That’s a 45 percent increase from 2012 — and a rising trend that matches the overall increase in STD rates seen throughout the country.

What to know before you buy a condom…

What else is in them;

Nitrosamines

In 2010, the World Health Organization and the United Nations Population Fund recommended that manufacturers minimize the presence of nitrosamines, a class of carcinogenic chemicals often found in latex condoms. 

Manufacturers don’t directly add nitrosamines to their condoms; the chemicals are a result of the process of heating and molding the latex. The Reproductive Health Technologies Project did an in depth evaluation of condoms and the good news …. 33% had no nitrosamines while only 1/3 exceeded the values considered acceptable. Your already asking which ones should I purchase,  see the listing below:

Nitrosamines aren’t the only potentially harmful substances on our minds.

Chemicals:

When it comes to condoms, a variety of other chemicals are used regularly and they will be absorbed by both partners.

Synthetic fragrances are plain and simply unacceptable. The typical petrochemical derived products used  for fragrances are toxic. The problem is that they are carcinogens and  disrupt our endocrine system.

A number of adult products contain parabens, with names such as butylparaben, methylparaben and propylparaben. These products are used primarily as a preservative. Most fall into the class of causing endocrine disruption.

No one likes the smell of latex so various odor-masking agents are used or some of the manufactures will do double washing of their latex condoms during manufacturing.

Flavors

In terms of flavors once again the issue is from what source ? When we looked at the latest product offerings their ingredients included a fairly wide array of flavors, some of which were touted as: Sugar-free, food grade organic fruit and nut extracts, for delicious flavors , not the artificial flavored variety

Lubricants: Water based or Silicon ?

One issues with any lubricant is your sensitivity to the product. Let me repeat, this can happen with ANY of the products. So experimenting on a small area of skin is always a good idea. One method is to apply a liberal amount on the pad area of a band-aid and apply to your upper arm. Assuming no itchiness remove in 24 hours and inspect for redness. If it’s red it’s not a good fit.

For an extensive listing of lubricant agents see this list. The descriptions are fairly accurate however if you really have a question about a chemical go to the Environmental Working Groups listing that is far more accurate and informative.

Remember that the use of oils such as baby oil and others will degrade latex condoms.

“Natural” lubricants can be chemical free and typically list aloe and other natural wares in their composition. Many will find that they are generally more tolerable for those that have an allergic reaction to chemicals  found in other personal lubricants.

Spermicides

Most of the common spermicides found in condoms contain  Nonoxynol 9 . But it’s not necessarily a good choice when you consider the 2006 study of a nonoxynol-9 vaginal gel in female sex workers in Africa concluded that it did not prevent genital human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and could increase the virus’s ability to infect or persist.