The Justice

Media Credit: Max Breitstein Matza SSIS?offers several different condom options, as well as different lubricants and sex advice for students.

Media Credit: Robyn Spector Sasha Farfel '10, left, Jeremy Frisch '10 and the rest of the Student Sexuality Information Service members are available to answer any questions about sex that the Brandeis community may have.

Dear SSIS,



There are so many different kinds of condoms available! Which one is the best and the safest?

Sincerely,

Curious in Cable



Dear Curious,

It can definitely be overwhelming to navigate the colorful packaging and catchy slogans in the condom aisle at the drugstore. Fortunately, the many different options available allow for everyone to find the condom that works best for him or her. But before we discuss the multitude of options, it's important to review basic condom safety.

The Center for Disease Control must test all condoms before they are sold. This standardized testing ensures that all condoms, when used correctly, are 97 percent effective at preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted infections. Condoms are the only form of contraception that protect against both pregnancy and STIs.

In order to use a condom correctly, it is helpful to remember a few steps:

1. Check the expiration date before use.

2. Hold the condom up to the light and feel for a pocket of air to make sure the package is sealed and has no holes.

3. Open the condom packaging (no teeth or scissors, please).

4. Hold the tip of the condom in order to prevent the formation of air bubbles and to decrease the risk of breakage.

5. Make sure to roll the condom all the way down to the base of the phallus to prevent the spread of STIs.

6. Add extra lubrication. (The FDA says if you don't use additional lube while using a condom, you're actually using it incorrectly!)

Now that we've got the basics out of the way, we can explore the many different condom options available. There is no "best" when talking about condoms or lube: It all comes down to personal preference and which condom and lube work best for you.

Most condoms are made of latex. However, up to 8 percent of the population is sensitive or allergic to latex. Fortunately, companies such as LifeStyles manufacture alternative condoms called SKYN that are made from polyisoprene, which is just as safe and effective as latex condoms are.

The world of condoms has expanded far beyond the standard tubular latex you may remember from health class. Condoms come in all shapes and sizes. Some condoms are made to specifically stimulate certain parts of the body during penetrative sex.

For instance, Durex High Sensation condoms are ribbed at the base, making them ideal for clitoral stimulation, while One Pleasure Plus condoms have a ribbed bulb at the top of the condom for increased penis head stimulation.

Beyond 7 Studded have over one thousand tiny studs on the outside of the condom that are designed to increase stimulation for the person being penetrated. (These condoms are not recommended for anal play, as they can increase the risk of microtears.)

A common controversy when it comes to condoms is the thick-versus- thin debate. Are thinner condoms more likely to break and therefore less safe? Does using a thicker condom make sex less pleasurable? Studies have shown that thinner condoms like Kimono Microthin and Beyond 7 Sheerlon are less likely to break because less latex creates less friction. Friction is the number one reason condoms break. Thicker condoms like LifeStyels XL and LifeStyles Dual Pleasure create increased friction in a safe way, which some people find increases sensation. Using additional lube, like the FDA says, will help decrease breakage of both thick and thin condoms. There is no such thing as using too much lube!

Just like condoms, there is no "best" in lube. There are two types of lube: silicone and water-based. Silicone-based lube is much slicker and is waterproof. Water-based lube can feel more natural and can be reactivated up to three times by just spritzing a little more water. It is important to avoid oil-based lubricants, as they can actually break down the latex and cause the condom to pop. Applying lube to both the outside of the condom and the inside of the tip of the condom can help increase pleasure for both partners.

Finding the best condom for you can be a satisfying sexual adventure, since there are so many different options to try. If you are interested in exploring the options that we just talked about, do your own research or ask an SSIS counselor. Thanks for writing in, and happy hunting!



Sincerely,

SSIS

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