General Guidelines for Safe Sex

By Ann Andriani All Sex Guide

So there's absolutely nothing wrong in wanting to have a lot of sex or have sex with multiple partners. It's just really important these days that you do it safely. Now you probably already know most of this stuff, but it doesn't hurt to take a peek and make sure you're doing everything you can to protect yourself and others. So, here we go:

For any kind of barrier to be most effective, they must be used CORRECTLY from start to finish. Check your barriers periodically to during play to make sure it's okay. And keep them within easy reach, that way the moment won't be ruined by the stopping to retrieve supplies.

Here some of the different types to barriers and sexual aids one may use.

Condoms

Use condoms for vaginal and anal intercourse and on the penis of the person who is receiving oral pleasure.

Use them on sex toys when more than one person will be sharing the toy for any type of penetration. Change the condom with each person that uses the toy. Also, change the condom on the toy when going from vagina to anus.

Use only latex condoms, any other substance will not provide the protection against the HIV virus and other viruses. Any natural substance made condoms, like lambskin, are too porous.

Never reuse a condom and avoid using them after the expiration date or 4 years past the manufacture date.

Store them in a cool, dry place. Do not keep them in your wallet, in the glove compartment of your car because the heat weakens the latex. Do not keep them loosely in your purse where keys or sharp objects can puncture.

Condoms come in a variation of sizes, even though the variation is slight, experiment to see which you like best. Maxx and Magnum make a larger condom. Kimono  or Trojan Ultra Thin are known for their thinner condoms.

For use on the penis, use a condom with a reservoir tip and for a sex toy, a plain non reservoir tip is fine.

When putting a condom on a toy or penis, make sure you pinch the reservoir tip to get rid of any air in the tip and keeping this firm grasp, roll it down to the base of the penis or toy. This is to be sure all the air bubbles are out because a trapped air bubble can cause the condom to break. For the uncircumcised men, pull back the foreskin to prevent the condoms from slipping.

Putting a drop of lube inside the tip of the condom can enhance sensation for the wearer.

Use only a water-based lubricant on latex condoms. Any kind of oil, Vaseline or hand lotion will eat through the latex. Also, be aware of "water-soluble" lubes, which usually contain oil.

If you are going to ejaculate inside the condom while inside your partner, hold the base of the condom as you pull out.

Concerned about the condom slipping off? Try Mentors, a unique brand with a band of light adhesive inside.

Adding lubrication when using a condom during intercourse will help reduce friction that can cause breakage.

Dental Dams

These are pieces of latex that were originally used by dentists during dental procedures (not just a clever name!). They have been proven by sex educators to be useful as protection during oral/vaginal or oral/anal sex.

If you can't find an actual dental dam, a cut-open latex glove works, too.

Add lubricant to the side opposite of the mouth to help increase sensation. And make sure you keep track of which side of the dam is whose, a little pen mark can help with this.

In order to free everyone's hands and have more fun, we sell a Dam Garter which holds the dam in place.

One trick you can do if you can't find a dam large enough is to use long sheets of kitchen plastic wrap. Now keep in mind that it has not been proven to protect from viruses and bacteria, but many sex educators believe it is effective. At least this is better than going without anything at all!

Latex Gloves or Finger Cots

These should be used for any type of hand or finger penetration of the vagina or anus.

Latex gloves are thin, resilient and transmit sensation and temperature wonderfully. They are perfect for smoothing out rough hands or nails with jagged edges, which is especially important for anal play. Check out our superstore for the many sizes of regular and hypoallergenic gloves!

Gloves make washing up between anal and vaginal play unnecessary. Just change those gloves!

Finger cots, which look like cute, little, mini condoms, are excellent barriers when only one finger is being used for penetration. They can also be used on small sex toys.

The Female Condom

The female condom is a soft, loose-fitting polyurethane sheath that lines the vagina. It has a soft ring on each end. The ring at the closed end is for putting the condom in place in the vaginal canal and to keep it there during sex. The other ring stays outside the vagina, covering the labia.

Since it is made out of polyurethane and not latex, oil-based lubricants can be used.

The male condom and the female condom do not work together. If you use both at the same time, there will be too much friction and one or both will come undone. Each one was made to work against skin.

When used correctly every time you have sex, the "Reality Condom" is estimated to be 95% effective.

As long as there is a good amount of lubrication on the penis and condom, the condom will not shift. If it does happen to shift and the outer ring goes inside the goes in the vaginal canal. Immediately stop, pull out the condom and insert an new one. Don't just put it back in place.

The condom is basically inserted like a woman inserts a tampon. Although, if it is going to be used as a main form of contraception, the woman should learn how to insert it before actually having sex. It is something you should know how to do before having sex. It is easy to insert if you read the enclosed instructions very carefully.

If you don't want to rush putting the condom in right before sex, it can also be inserted up to 8 hours prior! How convenient!

Lubrication

Lubricants containing spermicide like nonoxynol-9 provide extra protection against viruses and bacteria. Be careful though some people are very sensitive to it. If so, try Nonoxynol-15.

Don't use spermicidal products in your mouth or anus.

Water-based lubes are best for use with latex barriers. So that you don't have to taste the icky lated, they are available in a variety of flavors. ID, Astroglide and Wet are some of the more well-known manufacturers.

Silicone-based lubes are also okay to use with latex and are safe to the vagina as well. Another added benefit is that they work well underwater. ID Millennium and Wet Platinum are two of the more popular brands.

Well, there you have it, some basic safe sex guidelines. Did you learn anything new? If not, great, you have enough knowledge to keep yourself and your partner well protected. 

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