Sexy or SOA: this is what you want to know about condoms

When you think about sex, you probably won't quickly fantasize about the gonorrhea symptoms of your last fling. STIs are not sexy, yet fewer and fewer people take the initiative to use a condom. Condom use among people aged 15 to 80 has reportedly declined significantly, according to the World Health Organization (WHO). An excuse often given is that sex feels less enjoyable with a condom, or that the other party didn't bring up the need for a condom, making it seem unnecessary. You might think that condoms make the moment less sexy, as you have to take a moment to grab that thing. However, no research is needed to state that everyone agrees that an STI is even less sexy. But it also makes sense: when you go to buy condoms, it's not exactly comfortable to take a long look at the shelf. Those things are often hanging by the checkout, so the pressure from the line behind you is real. How do you know which condoms you need?

First of all, there's the size. There are many different types of penises, but generally, it's best to just go for the standard size if you don't have a regular partner. If your lover is a bit larger, it usually works out with putting it on, as there's a strong motivation at that moment to make it succeed. You also have the standard condoms (the extra safe ones). And for everything, they offer every version with or without latex, and with or without extra lubricant. You have the condoms that are called ‘nude’, because they take away the excuse of ‘you feel it less’. And then you have the condoms that make it a bit more intense for women: those with ribs and the version that claims to make your orgasm even more intense. And because oral sex can also transmit an STI, but the taste of latex and lubricant isn't necessarily pleasant, there are flavored condoms. Delicious, as if you've ordered a strawberry ice cream.

So there really is no excuse anymore to say that you don't want to use a condom, because by now there is a solution for every excuse. The best thing is to always take responsibility for having contraceptives at home. This way, you can't think ‘then without’ in the heat of the moment. If you find it really embarrassing to walk to the checkout with packs of condoms (which shouldn't be the case, because responsibility is just sexy), you can always order online.