Dear Sexpert,
What's the best type of condom to use? Is there any difference between the different brands? Which ones protect me best against pregnancy and STIs?
— Condom Conundrum
Dear CC,
It's important that you're interested in protecting yourself against STIs and unwanted pregnancy, and using a condom is a great way of going about doing that. Unfortunately, not all condoms are created equal. Consumer Reports has actually tested different brands of condoms and published their results online. They tested them by filling the condoms with air until they popped in order to determine strength and durability. For the results, visit their website, www.consumerreports.org, and search for "condoms."
If you're allergic to latex, there are polyurethane condoms that you can use instead of regular latex ones. There are also lambskin condoms meant for people allergic to latex. Latex, polyurethane and lambskin condoms all have the same statistical effectiveness for pregnancy protection, but be warned — lambskin condoms have small pores, which make them ineffective against STIs. For that reason, I would recommend you use polyurethane condoms if you have an allergy to latex.
Ironically enough, according to Consumer Reports the condoms provided by Planned Parenthood performed poorly. If you're getting condoms from them, steer clear of the scented "Honeydew" and "Assorted Color" condoms; instead, pick the really cute lollipop condoms — they were rated as "excellent" overall. (And they come packaged like lollipops, which is pretty cool.)
Also, remember that University Health Services gives out free condoms. Just stop by the front desk to pick up a handful. Both types of condoms they distribute were ranked in Consumer Reports' Top 10.
Another thing to keep in mind when choosing a condom is whether or not it contains the spermicide nonoxynol-9, as it's been linked to increased vaginal irritation by the World Health Organization and may increase the susceptibility to HIV. The only condom in the top ten that contained spermicide was the Trojan Ultra Pleasure Spermicidal Lubricant. According to Consumer Reports, there's really no reason to choose condoms with spermicide, as they have a shorter shelf life and can cause urinary tract infections in young women, while having no additional benefits in preventing pregnancy.
The best way to choose a condom after you've covered safety and protection is to find the one that feels right for you and your partner. Don't be afraid to try out a couple of different kinds, and try new kinds if you start to change your mind about one you've liked in the past.
— The Sexpert
Dear Sexpert,
This may sound sort of gross, but can I get pregnant if I have sex with a guy during my period, and is it riskier? Also, is there a way to make the whole experience less, well, messy?
— Looking for Answers. Period.
Dear Looking for answers,
It is definitely possible to get pregnant during your period. Ovulation can still occur during menstruation; thus pregnancy is still possible, and you need to use some form of birth control. Furthermore, you can still get an STI, so some sort of barrier (like a condom) is necessary if you want to protect yourself against infection. In other words, be sure to take pregnancy prevention and STI protection just as seriously as you would during other times of the month.
If you do decide to greet Aunt Flo with a session in the sack, but you want to avoid some of the mess, there are a few ways of doing so. You can put some towels down and just toss them into the wash later, or you can use a diaphragm to catch any menstrual fluid. Then there's also a product called "Instead," an alternative to pads and tampons that you can keep in while you have intercourse. The "Diva Cup" is another alternative that works a lot like "Instead," but since it is worn lower in the vaginal canal, it needs to be removed during intercourse. Do not keep a tampon in while you have sex. It will get pushed up towards the cervix by the penis and you, a very close friend or a doctor will have to fish it out of there (not to mention that it could be potentially very uncomfortable for you and your partner). It won't get lost or disappear, but it probably won't be easy to take out!
That being said, there's really no reason not to have sex during your period if both partners are comfortable with it, and there's nothing "gross" about it. So go ahead and enjoy!
— The Sexpert
"Sexpert" is written by a team of peer sexual health educators and fact-checked by University health professionals. Submit questions, to be published anonymously Thursdays, to sexpert@dailyprincetonian.com. Don't be shy!
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