Last Updated on June 4, 2020 by Saurabh Sethi, MD, MPH
STD Prevention and Safer Sex Product Recommendations
It’s important to remember, all of our recommendations are not endorsed and are recommended as a result of the admin’s personal experience or that of a reader – if you’d like to submit a recommendation, you can do so by using the contact form – we’re always happy to hear from you!!
Safer Sex Know-How for Your Sexual Health:
Most condoms these days are far thinner than they used to be, but you’ll see condoms that are listed as being thinner than others. The thinner the condom, the more likely the wearer and his partner both are to feel more body heat, more of the texture of the other person’s genitals, and the greater sensation will often be. Since thinner condoms produce less friction, they’re no less effective than the thicker ones – and may even be more effective.
Trojan Bareskin Lubricated Latex Condoms
What other people said about this brand:
- “Silky Smooth Lubricant – for comfort and sensitivity.””40% Thinner than Standard Condoms.”
- “Premium low-odor latex – to help ensure reliability and reduce the risk.”
Safer Sex Know-How for Your Sexual Health:
Some people are allergic or sensitive to latex, and others just prefer not to use latex. One kind of nonlatex condom is made from animal product membranes (namely, lamb intestine), and those aren’t advised, because they do not prevent the transmission of disease and infection. Polyurethane condoms are a non-latex option which DO prevent the spread of disease and infection. There’s also a new material for nonlatex condoms called polyisoprene which, like polyurethane, helps prevent pregnancy and STIs/STDs.
Durex Avanti Bare Non-Latex Condoms
What other people said about this brand:
- “Soft-as-skin polymer for an exceptional natural feel.”
- “Specially shaped to be easy to put on and more comfortable to wear.”
- “Suitable for natural rubber latex sensitive users.”
Safer Sex Know-How for Your Sexual Health:
The female condom is also made from polyurethane. Female condoms are worn by women, and have a ring at each end, so they look different than male condoms. They’re held in place by one ring that sits in the back of the vagina, and the male partner inserts his penis – it will usually need to be guided in carefully, not haphazardly – in the other ring during use. To remove the FC condom after use, you twist that outer ring first, then gently pull the condom out of the vagina. Besides allowing women to be in charge of condom use, one other benefit of the FC condom is that it can be inserted as long as 8 hours before intercourse, so some couples like the extra spontaneity these can provide. Because the female condom covers more of the vagina than its male counterpart, it can also work better toward preventing infections and diseases – especially ones transmitted via skin to skin contact and which enter into the system via mucus membranes in the mouth or genitals (HPV, HSV1&2, Chancroid, and Syphilis are examples).
Mayer FC2 Female Condom
What other people said about this brand:
- “FDA approved product that provides women both contraception and disease prevention for improved sexual health.”
- “Non Latex – Polyurethane.”
Safer Sex Know-How for Your Sexual Health:
When using condoms, put a few drops of water-based lube (such as Astroglide, KY Liquid or Liquid Silk) inside the tip of the condom: that not only helps with getting it on, it makes condoms feel a lot better during use. Once the condom is placed, put some more latex-safe lube -lube that doesn’t contain any kind of oil – on the outside of the condom. Lubrication is IMPORTANT!!! Condoms have a high rate of success, but that rate drops when they aren’t used properly, and one of the easiest ways to break a condom is by letting it get dried out. Not only will lubricant help them work better, well-lubricated sex is generally more enjoyable sex for both you and your partner. Even when a condom is already lubricated, it’s a pretty stingy amount of lube. Do NOT use butter, oil, body lotion, Vaseline or ANY lubricant other than lubricants intended for use with condoms.
Bodywise Limited Liquid Silk Lubricant
What other people said about this brand:
- “Luxury. Non – tacky. Water based.”
- “The best I have ever used. Does not get tacky or dry up. Very easy to clean up and does not leave stains.”
Safer Sex Know-How for Your Sexual Health:
This is just cool. 🙂 Who doesn’t want a sexy and discrete way to always be prepared!??!
Just In Case II – Black Condom Compact
What other people said about this brand:
- “What woman wants to carry around a random condom? With my luck it would slip out of my purse in front of my mom or my niece would pull it out and start asking everybody what it was… I keep this in my purse at all times; the mirror has come in handy more than a couple times and you can replace the condom with any other condom as well.”
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These resources are updated monthly (sometimes daily)! We come across new information and great resources while researching all of the time, but we don’t always catch everything. Should you have something you’d like to suggest we include on these pages, please let us know! We love to hear from our readers and want to include only the most relevant and reputable information available. You can make a suggestion via the STD Forum or privately on our contact form; either way works.
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