In the meantime

Yes, you read the title correctly.  It seems that researchers have found a way to eliminate the need for condoms and the results could be a paradigm shift in women’s sexual health.  What if women could protect themselves in a simple way without needing a partner’s (consentual or otherwise) permission?  In some places, that sounds like a stupid statement.  In others, it’s a matter of life and death.

From Newsweek:

“A new, more-promising iteration of the long-heralded HIV-blocking vaginal gel may one day become a reality, according to a study published online yesterday in the journal Advanced Functional Materials. But as the dream product crawls towards the marketplace, scientists worry that the biggest challenge—getting women to actually use it, or any gel like it—still lies ahead.

Unlike previous versions of microbicide, the latest gel functions more like an actual condom. It’s applied via applicator in the hour or so before sex and turns semisolid in the presence of semen, physically blocking HIV (and theoretically, other viruses and semen, too) from moving through the vagina in the first place. (The gel dissolves after sex.) “It’s the first microbicide of its kind,” says Patrick Kiser, a bioengineer at the University of Utah and the study’s lead author. “It prevents the virus from even touching the vaginal tissue.” The novel polymer concoction could see its first clinical trial in three years and if all goes well, be available for widespread use a few years after that.

The need for HIV-prevention methods that women can control is undeniably urgent. Women account for half of all HIV infections globally; in sub-Saharan Africa, where the disease is most prevalent, they make up 60 percent of cases. The reason is simple: women in the region lack the power to compel their sexual partners to wear condoms. For a decade now, scientists have been working to develop an HIV-blocking vaginal gel, a microbicide often called a molecular condom. This form of protection could be employed without the consent of a partner and has long been seen as the best hope for empowering women to protect themselves.”

In the meantime, we strongly suggest the use of a condom for protection.

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.

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.

Did you check out our featured product post for the day?

Maybe you should.