Condom for Every Lifestyle

Condoms are among the best ways to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted infections and protect against unwanted pregnancy, but they often carry a stigma that can make some hesitant to use them.

This may not be unconnected with the fact that the issue of sex and other related issues in some societies are not freely or openly discussed as a result of some cultural or religious inhibitions.

As a result of the fact that many people are not well exposed to its usage especially in the rural and semi-Urban communities, a number of people are afraid they’ll put on a condom incorrectly or feel too embarrassed to buy them.

For this inhibition, purchasing condoms for many can be embarrassing, but they don’t have to feel ashamed of their purchase. Thanks to the technology of self-checkout registers at grocery stores, pharmacies and other retailers, no one but you has to know you’re even buying condoms next time you go to the store. 

Having scaled the huddle of purchasing a condom in a shop, many are still not sure of how to use it properly. For the guys, you can practice on yourselves, and gals can grab something phallic – a banana or another seductively shaped fruit will do. Roll condoms onto whatever you’re using to practice until you feel comfortable handling them properly. Ladies, a fun trick to work on once you get a hang of getting condoms on can be to learn how to put one without using your hands. Your guy is sure to be beyond thrilled with your newfound skills, and you won’t even mind the taste if you do so with flavored condoms.

According to LifeStyles Healthcare,  a Global leader in the sexual wellness sector,  Australia, a great way to shake off those awkward feelings one might have toward condoms is to stop viewing them as alien and start seeing them differently. A fun pastime can be to blow up condoms like balloons. 

This is especially great as decor for a bachelor/bachelorette party, and can also be fun to do with your lover. Playing with condoms together is a good way to get comfortable with the idea of having them around when your playtime takes a naughty turn. Just make sure that you have plenty of extras, as once you blow up a condom, you certainly cannot use it for its original purpose.

Remember, even if you still don’t feel at ease using condoms, it’s important to do so every time you have sex to keep yourself and your partners safe. The awkward feeling of having trouble opening a condom wrapper or putting one on is nothing compared to having to visit a clinic to get treated for an STD or calling your partner to share the bad news.

The Wrong Excuses for Not Using a Condom:

With The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention stating that condoms can significantly reduce the risk of common STDs and pregnancy, there’s really no excuse for not using protection when having sex, especially if the intercourse is casual.

Unfortunately, many people particularly Americans still try to give excuses for not using condoms. ANewsCafe.com listed some of the most commonly voiced reasons that compel couples decide to go bare, even when there are risks.

First, the news source “learned there is still a huge embarrassment in purchasing condoms. There is this fear that the clerk will know you are going to be having S-E-X and that you’ll know the clerk!” It’s true that the cashier could be a neighbor, a teacher or a fellow student, but that’s no reason to not buy condoms at all. Nowadays, you can just buy them online without ever having to face anyone.

The other issue that couples have is that they start having sex with condoms and eventually stop using them. This can be an irresponsible move if you don’t want kids. That kind of thinking also happens when people conclude that having sex without a condom just one time – or several – won’t do any harm. However, STDs can pass on contact the first time you have sex with an infected person.

Again, there’s the issue of price, something else that should never become an obstacle to safer sex. As the website points out, condoms cost less than a dollar a piece and they will probably cost you a lot less than STD testing and treatment. And a lot less than a baby, too.

What about when you’re in the bedroom and about to get it on, but there’s a dispute over condom use? It can be an awkward subject to bring up, but the news provider suggests a few clever one-liners that should do the trick – from “No Glove, No Love” to “Wrap it up or pack it up.”

Proper Condom Storage:

Those who understand the importance of wearing protection as a form of STD prevention will likely have condoms on hand at all times. Whether you’re at home in your own bed with a special someone or planning on getting lucky with someone you meet at a party, it’s always good to be prepared – provided you take good care of your condoms.

The most important part of proper condom care is making sure that they are not out of date. All condoms have expiration dates on them, and if that deadline has passed, it is not safe to use the condom for pregnancy prevention or to prevent sexually transmitted infections. Throw the condom away and buy some new ones.

According to the manufacturers of LifeStyles® condoms, cool, dry spaces are the best place to store your rubbers.  The best bet is a space that is at or below room temperature, but condoms should absolutely not be stored anywhere warmer than 100 degrees or cooler than 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Condoms should also be kept out of direct sunlight.

The company also urges sexually active adults to use the “first in, first out” rule. That means it’s best to use your oldest condoms first, as long as they haven’t expired, simply because they are closer to being out of date.

Keeping condoms in your wallet is not a good idea, according to the National Institutes of Health. Friction from opening and closing your wallet can cause them to deteriorate in quality. Instead, keep them in a safe container in a bag or purse.

When it comes down to it, always use common sense. If a condom looks brittle, discolored or like it might rip, throw it away. Fortunately, condoms are typically inexpensive, so it’s always better to err on the side of safety.

Improper Condom Use, An International Problem:

A study published in the journal Sexual Health suggests that around the globe, improper condom use is threatening sexual health. Researchers from The Kinsey Institute Condom Use Research Team found that the improper use of condoms is a widespread, international issue.

The report was composed by 20 researchers from a number of different countries around the world. They discussed the various ways male condoms are promoted and used among sexually active adults of different nations, according to William L. Yarber, one of the members of the research team.

While condoms can be an effective way to reduce one’s risk of contracting the most common STDs, if used improperly they can lead to the transmission of illnesses or unintended pregnancy. Proper condom usage isn’t just a global health issue, it also weighs into economics. Condoms are significantly less expensive than medications needed to treat people with HIV/AIDS and other STDs.

“While we’d like to think the AIDS epidemic is going away, it’s not. In the U.S., it’s getting worse,” said Richard Crosby, a member of the research team. “We keep looking to medical doctors for the solution to the epidemic, but it’s the wrong paradigm. We can prevent small pox, SARS, cholera and a host of other infectious diseases. The prevention of the disease is the modern solution to the AIDS pandemic, and we need to begin applying that solution in earnest. Condoms are the vaccine we’ve been waiting for.”

Crosby went on to say sexual education that informs people how to properly use a condom is essential. These courses should not only touch on condom usage, but also discuss other matters related to sex in general, including personal lubricant, erections and semen.

The History of Condoms:

The manufacturing of condoms dates back to the1400s-1700s, during the Renaissance. This goes to show that humans have always been concerned about protecting themselves and their sex partners even though the quality was low as they were primarily made out of linen, goat intestines or goat bladder. 

The first lubricated condom was launched in the UK in 1957.

But there was a major advancement in the production of condoms in 2008 when the makers of Lifestyle introduced their SKYN brand- first clinically approved polyisoprene condom.

Prior to 1400s, in Asia, the Aristocracy was using glen condoms which covered only the head of the penis. They were made out of intestines, oiled paper, animal horn or tortoise shell.

In1918, condoms began to be publicly and legally sold to Americans for the first time since the Comstock Act of 1873.

In the late BC to early AD, precisely during the Roman Empire, the first documented condoms were in 1920. With the hopes of providing people with a more natural feeling option, Young's Rubber Company manufactured the first latex condom. 

The first condom was produced in 1855. This new material was a major shift towards a more reliable method of contraceptives even though they were as thick as a bicycle inner tyre.

Then in1897, due to her children's problem with sexually transmitted diseases, some condoms manufacturers printed Queen Victoria's face on their brands.

As condoms continued to be adopted as a necessity in the 1990s, manufacturers began to create flavored, colored and textured styles.

In 1985, amid the AIDS epidemic and record high instances of reported STDS, Lifestyles Condom brand was launched to satisfy condom consumer's demand for more options.

Condoms Generally For Protection:

Ideally, every lifestyle should advance the general well-being of a person. It is generally believed that God owns the life of every one. But individuals have a responsibility to maintain a healthy balance that compliments life as a gift from God. 

Therefore, life is said to be sacred and as such should be protected from human-induced danger which includes self-inflicted danger through certain excesses or extreme behavior that can lead to self-destruction. For instance, people abuse their bodies in many forms while others engage in self-destructive tendencies through the use of all manner of hard drugs without recourse to the state of their health.

However, some religion believe that whenever and however a man dies, God is aware and allows it. But whether this includes death resulting from reckless conduct/behavior is subject to a debate. But one very clear principle in life is that there is always a consequence for every riotous or reckless conduct in life, sometimes immediate and some other times, afterwards. 

It is on this basis that health professionals advocate safety or moderation in lifestyle. Instances of one night hangout with a 'lady of easy virtue' without a condom which resulted in HIV and later AIDS and eventual death abound. This sort of death is preventable in my perception and should be avoided.

A condom as a thin rubber bag a man wears over his penis during sex to prevent a woman from having unwanted pregnancy or disease according to the Longman Dictionary of contemporary English, is literally meant to protect humans, men and women alike from getting into trouble or being infected with sexually transmitted diseases that could endanger one's health if not properly treated.

Now, to apply 'condom' in every lifestyle implies that individuals or a  group of people should refrain from the temptation of leading life to the fullest as often presented by modern society and then over indulge in conducts capable of exposing them to health hazards particularly with what they do, eat or drink regularly.  

Perhaps, a closer look into some of the social behaviors a lot of people indulge into without 'condom' will help drive the point home. 

Alcoholism:

According to Barbara  Akin, an Accreditation & Patient Safety Coordinator at Cone Health Behavioral Health Hospital, USA, heavy drinking is defined by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration as “5 or more alcoholic drinks on the same occasion on at least 1 day in the last 30 days.” 

Often times heavy drinking can become an addiction. For those that drink heavily, it is important to know the effects of alcohol on the body.

She further states that, "alcohol is a waste product that the body tries to excrete. Even a tiny bit of alcohol has an effect on the body’s systems. If you drink more than the body is able to process, you begin to feel intoxicated as the alcohol level builds up in the bloodstream and is distributed throughout the body. 

"This distribution can affect the body’s nerve endings and slow down brain function. This causes feelings of excitement, numbness or inhibition. 

"Immune System – this is what fights off germs, viruses and other illness in your body. Alcohol slows the immune system, making bacteria-fighting white blood cells sluggish and much less efficient. Heavy drinkers may be more likely to succumb to illnesses such as tuberculosis or pneumonia, and increased risk of numerous forms of cancer.

"Skeletal System – Alcohol abuse inhibits new bone production, putting one at risk of osteoporosis and bone fractures. It also makes muscles more likely to weaken, cramp or atrophy.

"Reproductive System – One common side effect of alcohol abuse in men is erectile dysfunction. Hormone production also may be inhibited causing infertility. In women, alcohol may cause a ceasing of menstruation and infertility. It also heightens the risk of breast cancer.

"Circulatory System – Just one occasion of heavy drinking may cause trouble for your heart, therefore a heavy drinker is much more likely to have heart problems than a non-drinker. The risk is even higher for females. Heart problems may include poisoning of the heart muscle cells, an irregular heartbeat, high blood pressure, stroke or heart attack.

"Digestive System –This is where serious damage can quickly occur. Alcohol makes it difficult for our intestines to control bacteria and absorb nutrients that can lead to malnutrition. Alcohol is also known to cause: Salivary gland damage, Gum disease and tooth decay, Esophageal ulcers, Acid reflux and heartburn, Stomach ulcers and gastritis, Internal bleeding and Hemorrhoids.

Central Nervous System – Alcohol changes behavior. It inhibits speaking, which causes slurred speech and coordination. It affects impulse control and the ability to make memories, leading to “blackouts.” Alcohol can cause numbness, weakness and temporary paralysis. Long-term use can shrink the frontal lobes of the brain. Heavy drinking can lead to dependency that may have severe withdrawal effects.

"Excretory System – This system is responsible for removing waste products, such as alcohol, from the body. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause the pancreas to lose normal insulin production and create toxic substances that can lead to its destruction. An abundance of alcohol can harm the liver, whose job it is to break down harmful substances in the body. This can lead to hepatitis, jaundice and cirrhosis, which is the buildup of scar tissue that eventually destroys the organ. Alcohol may cause kidney, bladder and prostate inflammation."

Although, recent studies have also shown that moderate alcohol consumption may be beneficial to well-being, however, it can have many detrimental effects on the body.

Smoking:

Another social conduct people often indulge into without restraint is smoking. Surprisingly, producers of tobacco products warn that smokers are liable to die young , yet people smoke and even excessively too, disregarding the warning and failing to use 'condom'.

According to reports from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, USA, smoking harms nearly every organ of the body, causing many diseases and affecting the health of smokers in general in no distant time. It is one of the most self-destructive habits that young people indulge in around the world.

The report further states that more than 16 million Americans are living with one form of a disease caused by smoking. It adds that for every person who dies because of smoking, at least 30 people live with a serious smoking-related illness. 

Smoking, the report maintains causes cancer, heart disease, stroke, lung diseases, diabetes, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which includes emphysema and chronic bronchitis; smoking also increases risk for tuberculosis, certain eye diseases, and problems of the immune system, including rheumatoid arthritis. This is indeed, life-threatening.

Consumption of high-sugar diet:

A huge number of people eat high-sugar diet and do not seem to give a hoot about their health.  

In a study published in 2014 in JAMA Internal Medicine, Dr. Hu and his colleagues found an association between a high-sugar diet and a greater risk of dying from heart disease. 

Over the course of the 15-year study, people who got 17 per cent to 21per cent of their calories from added sugar had a 38 per cent higher risk of dying from cardiovascular disease compared with those who consumed 8 per cent of their calories as added sugar.

"Basically, the higher the intake of added sugar, the higher the risk for heart disease," says Dr. Hu.

How sugar actually affects heart health is not completely understood, but it appears to have several indirect connections. For instance, high amounts of sugar overload the liver. "Your liver metabolizes sugar the same way as alcohol, and converts dietary carbohydrates to fat," says Dr. Hu. Over time, this can lead to a greater accumulation of fat, which may turn into fatty liver disease, a contributor to diabetes, which raises your risk for heart disease.

Consuming too much added sugar can raise blood pressure and increase chronic inflammation, both of which are pathological pathways to heart disease. Excess consumption of sugar, especially in sugary beverages, also contributes to weight gain by tricking your body into turning off its appetite-control system because liquid calories are not as satisfying as calories from solid foods. This is why it is easier for people to add more calories to their regular diet when consuming sugary beverages.

The focus of this article is actually on moderation, people leading responsible life and avoid excesses or extremes in whatever they choose to do, eat or drink especially in the context of health and general well-being.

Credit: https://lifestyles.com.au/