Fun for girls
Josey Vogels
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Is he Ring-worthy? (The Elexa Vibrating Ring)
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Dear Josey,The last time I went to buy condoms at the drugstore it was completely overwhelming. Seems they make a condom for every kind of guy out there, but I'm curious if there are any condoms that are actually more pleasurable for women. Also, I hate the smell of condoms. Does anyone make a condom that doesn't smell like a doggie chew toy?
Rubber Rubs Me The Wrong Way
Dear Rubber,
Yes, ain't it fun when the old dude behind the prescription counter eyeballs you while you select your ultra-large, tutti-frutti condoms? "Yes, I have sex, you perv."
Then you get to stand in line and have everyone at the checkout imagine you having sex when they should be thinking, "Good for her, for taking control and being responsible."
Gotta love that good old sexual repression.
But you're in luck. This fall Trojan is coming out with Elexa, a new line of "women's" products that addresses some of your concerns.
And I'm not just telling you about it because they sent me to New York, put me up in a nice hotel and fed me eggs Benedict at that Duvet Bar they showed on Sex and the City with the beds and the co-ed bathrooms with the one-way mirrored bathroom stall doors. Okay, I admit, I was wooed. But not just by the condom company. The line itself is great.
Sold in the feminine protection section of pharmacies - the female equivalent of the porn section of your local video store - the line consists of elegantly packaged low-latex-odour condoms, an intimacy gel and freshening
cloths so you no longer have to use baby wipes and creep your boyfriend out when he goes down on you and you smell like a newborn. Best of all is the Vibrating Ring - a tiny bullet-shaped vibrator attached to a silicone ring that goes around his penis to help keep the condom on and give her clit stimulation during penetration. It's perfect for a gal who doesn't know how to send the message that the little guy in the canoe needs loving if she's going to be coming any time soon. And for women not quite ready to waltz into a sex shop for their Hitachi Magic Wand, it's a good starter vibe.
The Ring is disposable, so at $9.99 it's a little pricey (it's also not waterproof, which is a bit of a drag). But I figure if guys are willing to spend $15 a pop on Viagra to have a good time, what the hell. You can always decide if a guy's Ring-worthy or not. Plus, no washing up or batteries to replace.
And, as I discovered, once the battery wears out (it lasts about 20 minutes), you can always use it as a scrunchie.
oooDear Josey,
I remember reading something a year or two ago about the "invisible condom" and how it was going to be the next wave in protection against HIV and AIDS, but haven't heard anything since. My understanding was that it was some kind of product a woman could use inside her vagina to protect against HIV and AIDS. I liked the idea that I could protect myself without having to worry about guys who refuse to wear condoms. What's the deal?
Has The Invisible Condom Disappeared?
Dear HTICD,
Back in 2000, researchers at Quebec's Laval University discovered that an ingredient called sodium lauryl sulfate - an antibacterial also found in toothpaste and shampoo - seems to stop the HIV virus from attaching itself to its favourite cells. By incorporating this ingredient into a liquid that could be applied inside a woman's vagina, where it turns into a gel, she could effectively create an "invisible condom" that would help prevent the spread of HIV even if he refused to wear a raincoat. But as scientific discoveries go, it takes a minute for the media to jump all over it and about 10 years for a product to actually be approved for human use. This is partly because, while the product does seem to work rather nicely on rabbits and mice, short of asking humans to slather toothpaste or shampoo on their privates, you can't test the stuff on women. According to Marc-André Leblanc of the Canadian AIDS Society (CAS), the invisible condom is one of about five "microbicides" - i.e., substances that can reduce the transmission of HIV and other STDs when applied vaginally, and possibly rectally - currently in phase 3 of clinical trials. Which still means it'll be several years before you'll find it in aisle 3 of your local pharmacy.
However, the great thing about microbicides, says Leblanc, is their potential for fighting HIV infection in developing countries, home to 95 per cent of HIV/AIDS cases, with half of all new infections being women.
Leblanc, who did a presentation on microbicides and HIV/STI prevention at the Guelph Sexuality Conference this past June, admits that microbicides are not 100 per cent effective against infection and are meant to be used as a backup. But, he says, "If a product that is 60 per cent effective is offered to 73 lower income countries and used by 20 per cent of people during 50 per cent of sex acts when there is no condom present, we could avert 2.5 million HIV infections in three years."
It's a lot of numbers to decipher, I know, but bottom line: It's a good thing.
Not being able to slather women's vaginas with toothpaste isn't, however, the only reason things are moving slowly in this new area of prevention, says Leblanc.
"Large pharmaceuticals have little interest in pursuing microbicides," he says, "because they see low profitability, liability concerns, and because there is a lack of in-house expertise in this area."
For the last 20 years, almost all funding for contraceptive development and related research has come from governments and foundations, he adds.
If you'd like more info about microbicides and/or want to get behind efforts to move things along, go to global-campaign.org.
I must whole-heartedly agree with the comments above: for all you guys out there refusing to wear a condom, you don't deserve to get laid! And for the girl's who won't put their feet down and defend themselves against potentially deadly viruses just by making sure their guys are wearing a think piece of latex, what are you thinking!?! It is such a simple act that can prevent from unwanted pregnancy and disease. Sure, a long term relationship is different- but I hardly doubt that this woman is talking about a deeply committed relationship if she's still at the point of trying to please her guy by doing whatever he wants her too- including putting herself at great risk! Any guy who isn't willing to put his own pleasure aside slightly to make sure you're both safe is hardly worth taking to bed in the first place!
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Jessica Rose
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{13 votes}
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I can't believe that girl. She likes the idea of the invisible condom so she doesn't have to deal with guys that don't want to wear condoms. First of all, if a guy is that careless and that much of an ass to not want to protect himself and most importantly the female (I say most importantly because she is the one at risk of getting pregnant, here) then why would you even want to sleep with him in the first place? I've heard quite a few people say that they prefer sex without a condom because the experience is more pleasurable and if you're caught up in the moment, that moment doesn't have to be interrupted by putting on a condom. While this does hold some truth, as long as you're not committed to one person for the rest of your life, and as long as you're going to keep at it and test the waters, you're going to need to wear that condom. No guy who's still getting around should refuse to wear one. If he can deal with whatever diseases come his way, that's fine, but if you get pregnant or contract something, it's on your head. And besides, if a guy is refusing, doesn't that already tell you something? That most likely means that he's used to leaving the condoms off, and so who knows what kind of disease he could already have. Sure, the invisible condom sounds like the ideal, especially in certain cases if you "forget", but I don't know if it would ever be 100% efficient. It seems that the rubber has been the most effective for years, and it would probably be best to stick to that. Though in a few years, if they do manage to perfect this invisible product, I think it'd be very helpful, even as just an extra protector against STDs.
As for that ring... I'm not quite sure what to think yet. It sounds like it could be interesting, but $9.99 for 20 minutes use? I wouldn't exactly call that worth it. Besides, it looks downright creepy. And I think I'd be too paranoid about the "diamond" part of the ring getting stuck inside me. So I think I'll stick to my own imagination.
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Vanessa Hasid
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{9 votes}
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Condoms, everyone hates them but oh how horribly useful and smelly they are. I've often wondered why they have to stink so much...the ones that are 'flavoured' are even worse, nasty chemical concoctions sure to mess up with all the natural flora down there. I also have a problem with the ones that are lubricated with Nonoxynol-9, a spermicide that I seem to be very sensitive to.
There is nothing that protects against STDs and unwanted pregnancy as well as condoms (abstinence just isn't realistic). I've often wondered if this is because sex simply isn't as spontaneous if you have to sheath one's member in a protective raincoat...It seems though that Trojan may have come up with a ringing - whoops I meant winning - product with this natty vibrating ring. Perhaps it can make up for the loss of sensation and pleasure that occurs with using condoms in the first place.
This idea of microbicides is very interesting, although the fact that it is not 100 or even 90% effective against the HIV virus is troubling. I agree with Leblanc's comments about being able to make a difference in developing countries, but surely the condom is a far more effective method to reduce HIV worldwide.
As for those in a stable relationship not wanting children, loathe to take the pill and pissed off with rubber-stink, there is a viable, natural alternative to the IUD or diaprhagm. It is called a contraceptive computer, not to be confused with the fertility monitors which are widely available. They work on the same principle (measure hormone levels in your urine) but the contraceptive computer is geared towards contracpetion, not pregnancy. Persona is one brand which I don't think is for sale within Canada although you can legally buy it over the internet through the birthcontrol.com website.
Sex is one of the many pleasures in life, but as always it's important to be careful and protect yourself from disease and unwanted pregnancy as much as possible.
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Ellen Reid
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{18 votes}
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Condoms are a vital part of sex- I don't care if you don't like to wear it. If you plan on doing the deed, you should protect yourself- it's important. Don't be stupid- and don't think that STDs or AIDS will never be contracted by you- everyone is affected: more than you would think!
I lived in a 3rd world country for 8 months, and the statistics showed that more than 80% of the population of this particular country is infected with the HIV virus. How sad and scary those stats are- and the primary reason is because they don't have the ressources or money to buy protection. And here we are, first world people and we are too lazy to buy protection...perhaps the stats will follow for us if we don't take care and wear a condom or use proper protection while having sex. Something to think about? I hope so.
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Tricia Jenkins
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I know being a guy that having no condom is the ultimate rub or touch. I would however prefer to use one, because you never know when you'll get something. I mean, having to wake up in the morning to go pie with your dick burning is not my idea of a fun time. You never know what you can get, always be cautious when you're drunk or high and people insist that it will feel better without one, even if they look cherry clean, its still safe to use a condom. I guess its hard to resist with oral, but when it comes to penetration, it's better to have than not to have.
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Aryan Musacchio
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{2 votes}
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Everyone is responsible for themselves. Ladies, if your guy isn't prepared, then you should always be. I would suggest "Rubber Rubs Me the Wrong Way" try the flavoured smelling condoms. They have cherry, lemon etc. and they really do smell nice.
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Heath Abram
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{9 votes}
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Although this is by far not the first time I see women taking control of their sex lives by protecting themselves, it is still nice to see it. However, you may never see a guy walking into a clinic and asking for a prescription for "the pill". I hope everyone understands the circumstances and why that may never occur.
Regardless, I must admit that I am still impressed and have much respect for women (let alone men) who take the initiative and cover themselves, literally.
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Jason Edelstein
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{10 votes}
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Well for once when my mom asks me for my "christmas list", I will have an affordable and original suggestion! And yes, my mom is THAT cool and she would get it for me. I would pay good money to see the look on the check out person's face when she comes up to the counter with a handful of this magic ring.
Maybe the government should lauch a new lottery where you could win lifetime supplies of these. It could be part of a new campain to promote safe AND fun sex! And Josey might be on to something with the recycled fashion statement (although, as any Sex and the City fan knows, sophisticated city women NEVER wear scrunchies).
I can think of someone ring worthy who will get at least one of these as a stocking stuffer-although since we'll be visiting the family, I hope it's not too noisy...
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Andrée Lanthier
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{8 votes}
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I can't believe that there are STILL guys out there who refuse to have sex with a condem. How irresponsible and stupid is that?? I understand if you are in a comitted, monogamous relationship and both parties have been tested clean.... but if you are having casual sex with different partners there should be NO question. Aren't these guys worried that the women they are sleeping with may have any number of STD's?? Any guy who would refuse to have sex with a condem should get a swift kick in the ass, out of the bed and out the door.
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Kara Hughes
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{6 votes}
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