The Inside squirt on Condoms on Campus: Ribbed, Flavored & Lubricated

When used correctly, condoms are 98% effective in preventing pregnancy. When used with a spermicide, condoms are 99.8% effective in reducing the risk of a sexually transmitted disease. Those are pretty good odds. One study found using a condom during sex is 10,000 times safer than not using one, according to Monica Rodriguez of the Sexuality Information and Education Council in New York City.

Still, it seems a lot of guys out there try every excuse in the world to get out of using condoms. I’ve probably heard most of them from my ex-boyfriend personally. (Notice I said ex.) Here are some of the most common excuses — and why they make no sense.

 

I’ll pull out at the very end.

Most people assume all the semen comes out at the end and if they pull out at the pinnacle of pleasure, they’ll prevent pregnancy. However, Rodriguez says, “When the penis is erect, there is a little bit of pre-ejaculatory fluid that is released. This fluid may contain sperm as well as the virus or bacteria that causes STDs.” Also, the probability for pregnancy using “coitus interruptus” (did you know there was a technical term for it?) is 19%. That’s a little too high for my taste.

I’m embarrassed to buy them at the store.

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Masturbating, everyone does it

Masturbating is just another part of the college experience.
   
Of all the things you won’t tell your parents about college, this is high on the list. It’s not illegal by any stretch of the imagination, but you probably don’t want to be caught doing it. It was the topic of what’s arguably the best “Seinfeld” episode ever and the inspiration for several hilarious scenes in “American Pie.”

 

Masturbation.

Now, before you click over to a porn site so you can just get it over with without having to think, say it out loud a few times to get comfortable discussing the idea.

Masturbation, masturbation, masturbation.

Recent surveys suggest that 95% of men make their rooster crow and 60% of women do the two-fingered shuffle, but walk around a college campus asking for information on the sticky subject and you’re likely to get some strange looks, or worse.

But if everyone is doing it, what’s the problem talking about it? A general sense of not wanting to reveal our own inadequacies, especially sexual ones, prevails for many of us. “Who wants to announce to the world to that they’re not getting any?” asks Brandon Jones, a former resident advisor at Georgia State University.

Apparently no one wants to hear about it. Former U.S. Surgeon General Joycelyn Elders resigned her post after suggesting that American children be taught about masturbation as an alternative to sex, so there’s precedent to not wanting to discuss what we do undercover when we’re alone.

But masturbation does exist, and we all do it. Even the most prudish, outwardly conservative, attached guy who denies it at every turn is home some nights stroking his shlong. And why not? It’s fun. It’s another fact of life, and not just for guys.

While surveys often find women are less prone than men to pleasuring themselves, Kerry Woods, a senior at Penn, said members of the fairer sex don’t abstain from themselves.

“Most girls do it,” Woods said. “They start when they’re eight or nine years old.” Still, she hadn’t gone through her own curtains until she arrived at college. So, like any college student trying new things, she extended herself. “I was talking about it with my friends and they all did it,” she said. “I was jealous. I asked them how and they gave me tips.” Twenty minutes later, she was a new woman.

Woods says now she masturbates when she wants, but that usually if there is a man in her life, he’s there to do it for her. “I wasn’t doing it because I needed play,” she says. “I was doing it because it’s something every woman should do.”

There are dozens of methods for both men and women to please themselves (including everything from the old reliable methods to autofellatio and autocunnilingus — if you’re flexible), and the end usually justifies the means. Whether that includes videos, magazines, cyberporn (just don’t use your roommate’s computer, or wipe if off if you must), it’s all good.

Masturbation is a normal, routine (more for some than others) part of life. It doesn’t mean you’re sexually inept, nor does it mean you’re unattractive. So when its about that time, break out the (insert prop/magazine title here) and go to town. Just make sure you clean up afterwards.

Ryan Ferone wishes people talked more openly about masturbation. He thinks we’d all be happier.

Image Courtesy: lacoctelera.com

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Stop Chlamydia before it starts

Do you know enough about chlamydia? You probably know you don’t want it, but there’s more you need to know.

First of all, chlamydia trachomatis (that’s its full name), a bacterial infection, is the most common sexually transmitted infection (STI). Four times as common as gonorrhea. Six times as common as herpes. More than 30 times as common as syphilis. Three million Americans get it every year. And guess who’s most at risk? Women and men under the age of 25.

If you’re sexually active, especially with multiple partners, you’re at risk. Chlamydia is spread by vaginal and anal intercourse. “It’s so easily transmissible,” says Susan Kaufman, assistant professor of obstetrics and gynecology at the Robert Wood Johnson Medical School in New Jersey.

The news gets worse. When you have a cold or the flu, you know. You have symptoms. With chlamydia, there’s a very good chance you won’t know you have it unless you get screened. According to Planned Parenthood, up to 85% of women and 40% of men infected with chlamydia show no symptoms.

Therefore, sexually active individuals should get screened.

Diagnosis is fairly simple: It can be done by a urine test, a test of cells from the penis, cervix, urethra, or anus, or examination of the cervix. If you are diagnosed with chlamydia, you should tell your sexual partners and you can both begin treatment with antibiotics immediately — even if you’ve never noticed any symptoms.

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Girls, Guys & Gonorrhea: Facts and information about the common sexually transmitted infection

Got gonorrhea? You don’t want it. But if you do have it, you need to deal with it. NOW.

Unfortunately, you might have it and not know it: According to Planned Parenthood, 80% of the women (who have the greatest risk of contracting the infection) and 10% of the men with gonorrhea show no symptoms. So if there’s any chance you could have gonorrhea — which is spread through vaginal, anal, and oral intercourse — you should get tested as soon as possible.

If you do have symptoms — and many people with gonorrhea do not — here’s what you might see, according to Planned Parenthood.

Women may experience frequent or burning urination; menstrual irregularities; pelvic or abdominal pain; pain during intercourse or gynecological examination; yellowish or greenish discharge from the vagina; swelling or tenderness of the vulva; or arthritic pain. Symptoms would appear within ten days of infection.

Men may experience pus-like discharge from the urethra or pain during urination. These symptoms can show up one to 14 days after infection.

Left untreated, gonorrhea, a bacterial infection, can lead to

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Oral Sex tips for Women, Tips for giving a great head

Scientists call it fellatio. Guys who could give a damn about science call it a blowjob, a hummer, a pearl dive, etc. But no matter what you call it, having your partner go down on you is one of life’s greatest pleasures.

Sometimes, though, there are a few snags.

Unfortunately, Fellatio 101 isn’t standard classroom fare. It’s not even something the mother bird teaches its young. As a public service for anyone who has a few questions about the right techniques, here is a laundry list of tips on what guys look for — and require — in a good blowjob.

1.Don’t try so hard. Last year, my friend “Bridget” asked me why she couldn’t fellate her boyfriend to orgasm. My response? In a perfect world of Playboy and porno flicks, hummers lead to big, healthy orgasms. You know the scene: some tramp uses a pogo-like motion to deep throat her partner, only to be greeted by the requisite money-shot a mere seconds later.

Whatever.

I told Bridget to ignore the pot o’ pearls at the end of the rain-blow. Instead, I asked her to think of the hummer as the perfect pre-game warm-up. Think about it…What better way to prepare for the plunge than with a good wand-wash? Do runners break records without stretching? Do writers hand in first drafts? No. Like a good appetizer, I’ve found that a little sucky-sucky before the supper always makes for a pleasant dining experience.

2. Give yourself a hand. Guys spend years refining their “handy” skills before grabbing their first gobbler. And while the hand is neither moist nor equipped with a tongue, self-help is sometimes very satisfying. Therefore, I suggest women use their hands AND their mouths while orally pleasuring their partner. Ladies, the mouth alone cannot provide the surface penetration needed to excite the penis. Cover the tip with your mouth, making sure to cover your teeth with your lips. Swirl the tongue around the head and shaft. Then grasp your boy’s toy so that your forefinger is touching your lips. Using your mouth and your hands in unison, begin the up and down motion. Glance up and admire his smile.

3. Ignore the “spit versus swallow” argument. Some men SWEAR that sperm swallowing is really a test used to measure the amount of trust a woman has for them. I’ll probably lose my union membership for this, but it really doesn’t matter. If you can cause the eruption, you’re a goddess. Draw the pearly white lava and we will worship your volcanoes to no end.

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Take it outside, expand your sexual horizons in the great outdoors

On a warm Friday night last May, Jessica (not her real name), a Penn State University sophomore, tried something new, and it took just one taste to get hooked.

It was the week before finals. Jessica and her boyfriend Dave (not his real name) had spent the entire day cramming for a biology exam. It was 10:00 pm, and most of their friends had left for end-of-semester parties. Suffering after hours of reading and concentration, the young couple needed a tension breaker. Dave suggested they ditch biology and instead study anatomy — outside.

Jessica and Dave enjoy an adventurous sex life. Things got hotter, however, when they left the dorm room and ventured out into the wilderness. “Sex hasn’t been the same since,” she admits proudly. “[Outdoor sex] has an element of danger to it, and an element of being caught. Even though we go to a totally isolated part of the woods off campus, there’s still that tiny tinge of excitement that someone’s watching us. The air is crisp. Everything’s fresh. It’s so natural.”

Jessica says sex with her boyfriend is “amazing,” but doing it outdoors makes things even better. The college campus provides the perfect backdrop for shagging under the stars. After all, there’s only one thing as beautiful as sex — and that’s nature.

College campuses are breeding grounds for exploration and adventure. Here are some tips, suggestions and other things to keep in mind when taking everyone’s favorite indoor sport out into the great outdoors:

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Sex Education: A step-by-step guide to the art of donning a condom

Finally, you’ve met someone who’s hot, smart and, amazingly enough, wants to have sex with you. You’ve braved the line at the drugstore, bought dozens of brightly colored condoms and now you can’t wait to try ‘em out.Hold on a second, stud. While condom use seems elementary — tear open, roll on, have sex, repeat — there’s actually a right and wrong way to do it. And doing it the wrong way could lead to an accident — one that might result in pregnancy or sexually transmitted disease.

Since Condom 101 will never be a course in school and it’s a little embarrassing to ask your roommate (who, like you, would never admit to not knowing), we have created, with the assistance of the American Social Health Association, a detailed guide guaranteed to increase your pleasure and reduce your risk of all the bad stuff associated with unsafe sex.

Make sure it’s fresh

You know that condom you’ve had in your wallet since junior high? Throw it out. For one thing, it’s probably expired. Condoms have expiration dates on their packaging — check it. Also, condoms should also be kept in cool places out of direct sunlight. That’s because latex can become brittle from changes in temperatures, rough handling and age. If a condom looks damaged, discolored, brittle or sticky, cough up a few bucks and buy a fresh pack.

 

2. Put it on your willy

Whoa, cowboy. I know you’re excited, but opening condoms with your teeth can tear the condom. Open the wrapper with extreme care. Once you have the condom out of its packaging, squeeze the tip to let the air out as you put it on, unrolling it all the way down the shaft of the erect penis. If it’s not the kind that has a tip for your sperm to swim into, leave a half-inch space at the head. If your condom doesn’t roll, throw it out and grab a new one. Once the condom is in place, smooth out any air bubbles before plunging into your partner.

 

3. Lubricate, Lubricate, Lubricate

There’s no question lubrication can make sex a lot smoother. But like condoms, all lubricants are not created equal. You want to use one that is water based, not one made of baby oil, hand lotion, Vaseline, or vegetable oil. (Don’t ask.) Any oil-based material can cause condoms to deteriorate.

 

4. Oops! What to do if something goes wrong

Even if you lubricate with the right stuff, bad things happen sometimes. If the condom breaks anytime during sex, withdraw immediately and put on a new one. If you don’t realize the condom broke until it’s too late, have your partner seek emergency contraception from a health clinic just in case.

 

5. Post-orgasm

After you finish, get that penis out of there while it’s still hard. Hold the bottom of the condom in place as you pull out so it doesn’t slip off and spill. And if you’re lucky enough to go at it again, use a new condom. This is one time recycling is not a good thing.

 

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