So that condom is no big deal, right?  Safe sex is just a matter of being selective?  If you agree with either of those ideas, you really should read on.  And if you’re a fan of safe sex, we have some facts you might want to know as well.

When an airline pilot is preparing for takeoff, he goes through a rigorous checklist of his aircraft’s mechanics and functions.  Your odds of being in a fatal crash on the top 25 safe Airlines in the world is 1 in 13.57 million (Source).  Would you be surprised to discover that unprotected sex gives a woman 1 in 2 odds of catching Gonorrhea and 4 in 10 odds of catching Chlamydia (Source)?  That’s in just one unprotected encounter!

In 2007, slightly over 1 in 1,000 people contracted Gonorrhea, and that’s just the reported cases (Source).  So 1 in 13.57 MILLION people are involved in a plane crash with fatalities on highly safe airlines, 1 in 1,000 people contract Gonorrhea.  I think maybe it’s time we contemplate a safe sex checklist.  Those pilots may be on to something.

The right lubricant is critical to safety

So here is a checklist we suggest you try out to improve your sexual health by engaging in safe sex and play.

First, if you are with a partner, do you have your condoms?  Think about it, if one unprotected encounter exposes you to a 50/50 chance of catching a nasty infection, each subsequent encounter almost guarantees that you’ll catch something that you’d really rather not have to treat.  And if you’re among the hearty sorts who doesn’t fear disease, perhaps you should have a look at the new resistant strains.

Unless you are in a long term, completely monogamous relationship with a partner who is disease free, you shouldn’t ever be without a condom when you’re ready for fun.  For everyone else, make sure the condom is number one on your safe sex checklist.

Second, if you plan to use lubrication (and if you’re planning on anal play, plan to use lubricant), make sure your lubricant is compatible with the condom or toy you’re using.  I was curious about how fast a latex condom would deteriorate with a silicone lubricant, so I ran a test using a condom on a rubber dildo.  I stretched a condom over, and applied silicone lubricant by hand.  The condom began to disintegrate on contact.

When I say disintegrate, I mean that in the literal sense of the word.  The condom was melting into goo in front of my eyes.  The dildo wasn’t doing well either.  Always use water based lubricants with latex condoms.  As you can see, checklist point two is critical to the safety of checklist point one.

The rest of our checklist relates specifically to toys.

Third, when using a sex toy like a dildo, make sure that you get into the habit of washing it before and after use.  A clean sex toy prevents the spread of infections.  Also, some materials can pick up small debris, which can lead to uncomfortable, unsanitary play.  A simple wash eliminates this problem.

Fourth, inspect your toy for any damage.  A chip on a glass toy can lead to painful issues.  A damaged retrieval mechanism on an anal toy can be dangerous as well.  If your toy has wiring (like a vibrator with a wired remote), make sure the wiring is not damaged.  Never play with a damaged sex toy.  The risk isn’t worth the sensation.

Fifth, make sure you intend to use your toy in the way it is intended to be used.  This is a simple rule that can save you from potentially dangerous play.  If you aren’t sure about your toy’s uses, contact us with our Ask an Expert button in the top right corner of this blog.

Finally, safe sex requires that you know your body.  Know your allergies and select toys that won’t affect them.  Silicone dildos and vibrators are great hypoallergenic choices for play.  Make sure the lubricant you select is body safe for you.  Know what size of dildo you can safely use.  Body safe toys are critical to safety, and for that matter, fun!

This is just a rudimentary checklist.  You may have even more items you want to add to yours.  But if you have a safety checklist, and you follow it well in advance of your next play time, when it’s time to have fun, you can focus on the whole point of adult play – HAVING FUN!  So take the time to make sure you’re prepared, then go out and have fun!

And follow your checklist.

Trojan ENZ

If you want to add an extra level of protection to condom use, one sure winning idea is to get a condom with spermicide.  Not only do you get good protection against disease, you also get protection against unwanted pregnancy.  Trojan ENZ condoms come with a spermicide for that extra level of protection.

From Trojan:

“This product combines a latex condom and a spermicidal lubricant.

The spermicide, Nonoxynol-9, reduces the number of active sperm, thereby decreasing the risk of pregnancy if erection is lost before withdrawal and some semen spills outside the condom. However, the extent of decreased risk has not been established. This condom should not be used as a substitute for the combined use of a vaginal spermicide and a condom.

If used properly, latex condoms will help to reduce the risk of transmission of HIV infection (AIDS) and many other sexually transmitted diseases.

-12 Pack”

And be sure to check out our complete selection of featured products for men for more great ideas.

We’re all about safer sex here at sextoys.com. Today I’ve put together five of my favorite items that will help you stay safe without killing the mood! We’re all responsible for our own well-being and these items are, without a doubt, essential in my book.

1. Lifestyles Vibra Ribbed – This is the original ribbed condom and provides a little something extra! Lifestyles Vibra Ribbed are designed for maximum sensation for both parties.

2. Latex Dental Dam – Reduce risk while keeping your partner satisfied. For the ultimate protection for oral-genital contact during sex, Dental Dams are the best choice.

3. Trojan Naturalamb – For those of you who are sensitive to latex, the Trojan Naturalamb is the answer you’ve been looking for. Because it is made from a natural membrane, you will find it has its own special feeling of sensitivity!

4. Durex Love Lubricated – Everybody needs some love and that’s why we suggest Durex Love Lubricated. They’re twenty percent thinner than average condoms and designed to fit securely.

5. Lifestyles Luscious Flavors – This twelve pack of assorted condoms includes three luscious flavors and colors to keep things interesting!

If you have latex allergies, you can still practice safe sex.  Trojan Naturalamb condoms are latex free and just as safe as all other Trojan Condoms.  You get allergy free peace of mind when you use these.

From Trojan:

“The NATURALAMB brand condom is different from a latex condom. Because it is made from a natural membrane, you will find it has its own special feeling of sensitivity!Each NATURALAMB brand condom is tested to help ensure reliability and individually packaged for ease of use.

NATURALAMB brand condoms are lubricated with our own unique jelly-type lubricant, and then rolled for your further comfort and convenience. NATURALAMB brand condoms also have the exclusive KLING-TITE band at the top for added safety!”

And be sure to check out our complete selection of condoms for safe sex.

There are so many things I love about this commercial.  Wow, that’s not something I usually say.

There are a lot of hilarious condom commercials, but this one is both smart and funny.  The best thing about it is that they are acknowledging that lots of different people need condoms for different reasons.  It’s not every day you get to see randy old folks, gay cops or the beginnings of a threesome!  Of course, that may just be my perverted take on the whole thing…

ps. we’ve got a crapload of Durex Condoms available on sextoys.com – just in case you find yourself in any of these scenarios in the near future.

Among the more testy subjects on the priphery of pornography is the subject of the use of condoms.  Should they be required on porn sets?  That’s a great question, and if you’ve read this blog for a while, you know the word I’m going to use next.

YES.

But there is a debate raging now.  From the Los Angeles Times:

“The call for change by the Los Angeles-based AIDS advocacy organization — one of the largest community-based HIV/AIDS medical providers in the nation — comes in the wake of news last week that a female adult film performer tested positive for HIV.

The woman had worked despite lacking a clean test within the last 30 days, required under the industry’s voluntary guidelines, according to officials from the San Fernando Valley-based clinic that serves the porn industry. She tested at the clinic on June 4 and then worked June 5. Her HIV-positive test results came back June 6, according to Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation officials. She had last tested HIV-negative April 29, they said.”

You may not be a porn star, but you can play it safe.  We strongly suggest that you eliminate the risk of catching serious STI’s by using a condom whenever you play.  You’ll get peace of mind, and the knowledge that you have taken precautions to keep from spreading any to your partner.

As many readers know, we are big proponents of condom use as a necessary aspect of maintaining sexual health.  Our Condom Category now contains hundreds of choices for men and women from Extra Sensitive to even Non-Latex condoms, and we also have a complete selection of Dental Dams.  As well as maintaining your safety, condoms also allow each individual to control his or her reproductive choices.

But now, more than ever, safety is a principal concern.  New studies in the United Kingdom and the United States have identified drug resistant STI’s that were previously easy to treat.

“Antimicrobial resistance in N. gonorrhoeae remains an important challenge to controlling gonorrhea; gonococcal strains may be resistant to penicillins, tetracyclines, spectinomycin, and fluoroquinolones. Resistance to CDC-recommended doses of ciprofloxacin and ofloxacin exceeds 40% in some Asian countries (World Health Organization (WHO) Western Pacific Region Gonococcal Antimicrobial Susceptibility Programme (GASP) Report- 2000. Commun Dis Intell 2001; 25:274-277).

Fluoroquinolone-resistant strains of N. gonorrhoeae have also been reported in the United States and Canada. The proportion of gonococcal isolates in Hawaii that are fluoroquinolone-resistant currently exceeds 13% and increasing numbers of resistant strains have been identified in the continental United States (Gonococcal Isolate Surveillance Project (GISP) Annual Report – 2003).” Source – CDC.

We strongly urge everyone to use condoms during play with new partners, and to maintain your sexual health.  And we also would like to remind you that the symtoms of some STI’s do not become apparent until after the person carrying it has already transmitted the infection.  You can’t tell a person is infected by just “looking.”

Enjoy safe and healthy play.  Use condoms.

Safe.  Sensitive. Strong.

What else could you be looking from in a condom, people? Today we’re highlighting a great 12 pack of latex condoms from Beyond Seven, because safety should always be a big priority.

Beyond Seven latex condoms are made of Sheerlon, which is an advanced material that is incredibly strong and durable. It can be made much thinner than an ordinary latex rubber condom.

Also, Sheerlon has a silkier, more natural feel than ordinary latex. It is much like skin itself. Beyond Seven is lightly lubricated for even more comfort.

We’ve got a great selection of innovative products from Beyond Seven – be sure to check them out!

Nothing sexier than a guy who plays it safe and that’s why we’ve chosen this variety pack of quality Durex condoms as one of our current featured products.

Everyone knows that we spend a good deal of digital pixels extolling the need for everyone to practice safe sex.  Condoms are the surest bet to reduce risk when it comes to sex, especially sex with a new partner.  And we’ve done reports on fairly odd condom stories as well, like the Canadian University that was collecting used condoms to check out friction rates.

Now comes a story about decorative condoms with a surrealistic flair.  From Gizmodo:

“Ever wondered what a clown wears on his penis when he wants to practice safe sex with the bearded lady? A Wacky Rubber, that’s what.

Yes, Wacky Rubbers! Nothing instills confidence in the ability of a condom to prevent pregnancy and STDs like having a face painted on it and lights built into it.

Not only that, but these things are shaped as well. Ears, hats, stars — each of them has a definitely non-penile shape to it that makes very little sense to me. I’m not sure if it’d be better or worse if they accurately retained their shape while in use. Probably worse.”

We can’t comment on the quality of these, but they are a hoot and would likely make a great gag gift.  But we can comment on the quality of the condoms we sell and they are definitely worth the investment.  You can also add Condoms to your wish list of up to $1,000 in free sex toys in Ginger Leigh’s Fabulous Shopping Spree!