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Ken Brower-10301's Articles Display Category|Title|Newest|Oldest Life with an HIV Positive Partner Sexually active couples use condoms to prevent unwanted pregnancies and to stop the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, especially HIV. What do you do, however, if your partner informs you he/she is HIV positive? Does that mean you need to get out of the relationship immediately or just never have sex again? Not exactly. There are some definite precautions you will need to take to keep yourself HIV negative while in the relationship, but that should not stop you from pursuing and maintaining a loving and trusting relationship. Female Condoms: What are they? How do they work? I remember being a junior in college and hearing about the female condom from my best friend and roommate, a staunch women’s activist. Only a few months earlier, she had excitedly alerted me of a cool new contraption that would allow women to pee standing up, so let’s just say that I was less than open to the idea of hearing about some hokey body-sized rubber that probably covered the woman from head to toe. I kept thinking, “Well, of course it would protect a woman from getting pregnant; men would be running in the opposite direction at the sight of it.” It wasn’t until recently that I was able to actually research female condoms to see what they are really all about, and you know what? They aren’t full body-sized. While female condoms have never proved to be extremely popular in the U.S., they are still available at many retail outlets and proven very effective against STDs. Zambian First Lady Says: Demand Safe Sex AIDS statistics in Zambia are staggering: *There are approximately one million people who are infected with AIDS in Zambia. *The life expectancy of somebody born in Zambia is under 40, mostly due to the impact AIDS/HIV has had on this society. *About 57% of those infected with the AIDS virus are women. *Of these women infected with AIDS, those who are between the ages of 15 and 24 are twice as likely to be infected as men of the same age. Between the ages of 14 and 19, that ratio jumps to six times as likely to be infected as men of the same age. Chinese Condom News - From Condom Hairbands to Condom Dresses Imagine you walk into a salon to get your hair shampooed, cut and styled. You are given rubber hair bands to help keep your hair up and out of your face. Then you find out that these are not your typical hair bands. These hair bands are recycled…recycled used condoms. This is what happened to one disgusted Chen Wenlan from Dongguan, China after visiting her local hair salon. Wenlan says, “Many of my friends have not yet heard the news. And it is really terrible.” Why Having Sex with a Condom Feels Better One of the biggest myths or excuses you’ll hear out there today is that condom use makes sex less enjoyable, or ‘kills the mood.’ Plainly put, being confident and knowledgeable about your own sexuality never kills the mood. There’s plenty of reasons why condoms and safe sex in general can, in actuality, make sex with your partner better and more thrilling. The reasons are both physical and psychological, and have to do with the core of what an enduring sexual relationship is about. Condom Storage and Safety from Heat Here’s a quick rundown on where to stash away your condoms so that you can always stay prepared. A lot of us, if not all of us, have heard the old advice to not keep a condom in your wallet, but how many of us know why? And, to quote one of the recent questions Condom Man received, is it a good idea to keep your condoms in a refrigerator? (Quick Answer : No.) It’s always good to have a condom on hand, but it’s also good to remember that condoms degrade over time and need to have a little bit of care and attention. To summarize, you want to keep a condom close by, but not TOO close by. Avoid these Common Condom Mistakes For being such an inexpensive item, condoms pack a powerful punch. They protect its users against many sexually transmitted diseases as well as guarding against pregnancy. In the heat of the moment, however, many couples do not stop during foreplay and pull out the condom instructions from the box to ensure they are using the condoms properly. So, for those condom users who are not currently engaged in sexual activity, here is a brief rundown of some condom no-no’s for you to peruse. The Global Condom Shortage and its Deadly Consequences Living in the United States where I am surrounded by decadent lifestyles, fast-food restaurants where I can grab a full meal in two minutes, grocery stores packed to the 20 foot roofs with an abundance of food and household items and doctors with advanced medical equipment only a few miles down the road, I get spoiled into thinking the rest of the world has it this good. That couldn’t be further from the truth. In our world today, we hear of water shortages, food shortages and healthcare shortages. One shortage that does not get as much press, however, is the condom shortage that is happening across the globe. Condoms 101 - An Overview (What you May have Missed in School) Basically stated, a condom is a form of birth control that prevents the passage of semen from reaching the vaginal canal during sexual intercourse. In addition to this, a condom also prevents blood, vaginal secretions and other bodily fluids from passing between sexual partners. Acting a barrier for these fluids allows for a condom to aid in the prevention of pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases and HIV. Best of the Best in Condoms Condoms are an inexpensive form of birth control readily available on the market. When used correctly, condoms are 98 percent effective in the prevention of pregnancy. In the area of STD and aids prevention, condoms achieve a higher standard of protection levels than choosing to not use a condom. Unlike other forms of birth control, the learning curve is low. All that is needed is an understanding of proper placement and use of condoms. Keeping in line with that, there are several top condom manufactures that offer wide product lines to suit virtually all users. Do Friends With Benefits Relationships Really Work? Julia, by nature, was meticulous about what they discussed and actions she took before actually beginning the relationship. This is a rundown of what she feels is necessary to discuss and do before jumping into a relationship like this: The Female Condom Redesigned The female condom is one of those things in life that you know exists; you know you’ve heard about it on the news at one time or another, but you don’t know anybody who has ever seen one, let alone actually used one. If you stepped on one in the street, you might kick at it and think, “What a strange Ziploc bag.” Despite a lack of enthusiasm from the United States market, the female condom has had minimal success in developing nations, including South Africa and Brazil. It did not, however, achieve its ultimate goal of women empowerment which would, in turn, help cease the spread of AIDS. Condoms Usage and Foreskin Condoms are tricky enough to put on with most couples getting caught up in the “which way does it unroll?” dilemma. Now, add the dilemma of foreskin for good measure and you may be in a whole new realm of frustration. Looking at some condom forums and reading what uncircumcised men are venting about when it comes to slipping on condoms may make circumcised men count their blessings. The most common complaints seem to revolve around the condom “bunching up” and/or slipping off. There was even a complaint about “poking through” that I thought might need an entire essay to devote to. Exposing Common Condom Myths Oh, what a tangled web of myths we weave when we are trying not to conceive! Growing up, my neighborhood friend began having sex relatively early. While drinking our Capri Suns on my front porch, I vividly remember her recounting the frequent sexcapades she engaged in and saying things like, “Oh, we don’t use condoms…he says it won’t feel as good.” I would stare at her slack-jawed and wide-eyed since I was never quite able to wrap my mind around the concept of sex until much, much later when I actually began having it myself. Needless to say, my childhood friend had two children by the time she dropped out of high school in the 11th grade. She was a casualty of the condom myths. Some Condom Availability Programs I grew up in a city that was once featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” as the city that had the youngest living grandmother. My neighbor had three children before 11th grade and several of my middle-school friends became pregnant in the 7th or 8th grade. This was almost twenty years ago and things have changed a lot since then and not necessarily for the better. Children are learning about sex from an even earlier age and their lessons are not always from their parents. Friends, television and movies are what children often look to for lessons on sex, so you can only imagine the values they are confronted with. Some schools have risen up to the challenge of preventing teenage pregnancies and the spread of STDs by incorporating condom availability programs. Condom Availability Programs I grew up in a city that was once featured in “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” as the city that had the youngest living grandmother. My neighbor had three children before 11th grade and several of my middle-school friends became pregnant in the 7th or 8th grade. This was almost twenty years ago and things have changed a lot since then and not necessarily for the better. Children are learning about sex from an even earlier age and their lessons are not always from their parents. Friends, television and movies are what children often look to for lessons on sex, so you can only imagine the values they are confronted with. Some schools have risen up to the challenge of preventing teenage pregnancies and the spread of STDs by incorporating condom availability programs. The Condom : An Invention that Predates Modern Times Had you asked me a while ago when condoms were first introduced, I might have looked up the date that the Trojan Condom company first opened its doors. Many of us don't realize the long and tumultuous history that the simple condom has endured. In fact, the history of condoms is a rich one dating back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians. Safe Sex : Prepare for Every Possibility The use of condoms is a reliable and effective method for preventing unexpected pregnancies. The use of condoms with other forms of birth control is even more effective, but there are times when everything fails – the good-quality condom bursts, the IUD slips, the pill was forgotten in the rush to make it to work on time. Buy Condoms without Embarrassment You want to do the right thing. You want to make the responsible choice. There is nothing to it. Just walk in the store, pick out a box of condoms and proudly march up to the register and buy condoms. So why then are you still sitting in your car carefully planning out each step to the least embarrassing detail? When you make the move to buy condoms, you are essentially telling the world that you are about to engage in sexual activity. This causes your palms to sweat and your stomach to do flip flops with each step. If this is you, do not fear! There is a way to buy condoms without embarrassment. Free Condom Distribution in College Paper Won't Happen A college in California was planning on giving out free condoms in their daily newspaper. At Cal State Fullerton, there was supposed to be an issue, coming out November 14th, which would include free condoms. After complaints from a few people about the nature of the advertisement for the condom giveaway, the campus administrators decided that this issue simply wasn't one they wanted to go to print. What's up with these Flavored and Scented Condoms? Do you like and enjoy the security of condoms but wish they had a better taste or a different smell? Well now you can have that wish, with Flavored and Scented Condoms. Condoms have been around for a very long time; however it was only recently that they begin to become more of what we really wanted. You no longer have to choose a plain condom that simply got the job done; now there are condoms that you enjoy the flavor of, and condoms without that latex smell. The New Okamoto Condoms Sampler Pack When looking into choosing a condom, having a choice can help you to make the right decision each time; and that is why you will find the Okamoto Condoms Sampler Pack a great place to start looking. With the sample pack you will have Asia’s most popular condom and the newest brand to sweep America by storm thanks to the Sheerlon Material that gives them the Skinless Skin Feel. Each of the Okamoto Sampler Pack Condoms expires from 2-5 years from date of purchase and is tested electronically for reliability and security. Condom Quality : How are Condoms Tested? Before being put into production for the masses to use, cars get crash tested, software applications go through user and quality tests on a test environment and new ice cream flavors get taste-tested (how do I go about getting that job?). So, how do condoms get tested to ensure their effectiveness? Judging from the previously mentioned tests, why not follow in the same vein and have actual human testing? Not likely. AIDS: A Deadly History My first introduction to AIDS came through the news reports of a boy named Ryan White who had contracted the disease through a blood treatment for his hemophilia. I was only 10 or 11 at the time this story was making headlines, but I distinctly remember wondering why so many people were scared of him and why they didn’t want to allow him back to school. His mom ate, played and lived with him every day and she wasn’t scared of being close to him. What was wrong with everybody, I wondered? At that time, AIDS was such a new disease and few people knew much about how it was spread from person to person. Fear of this new unknown disease caused the masses to panic. What many people do not know is that in the early 1980s, which many attribute to be the start of AIDS, this epidemic had already been around for forty years in other parts of the world where it originally began. Company Markets Coffee-Flavored Condoms in Ethiopia In a recent study performed in Ethiopia, close to a million people were tested for HIV. Of those million subjects, over seven percent tested positive for HIV. As grim as these statistics may sound, consider this: the previous year's study found over five percent of the subjects tested positive for HIV. That is a 26% increase within one year. In a country where the HIV/AIDS epidemic is at an all-time high and is home to ten percent of our world's HIV cases, there is a mad scramble to promote anything that will slow the sweeping epidemic. Testing for STDs – Different STDs and their tests If we lived in a perfect world, every person would go to the doctor before they decided to embark on a sexual relationship and get tested for sexually transmitted diseases. Then, each person would stock up on condoms and dental dams and use them properly for each sexual encounter. There would be no AIDS epidemic, no HPV, no chlamydia, no gonorrhea. Unfortunately, we do not live in that utopia. More than likely, most people about to begin a sexual relationship do so at a moment’s notice and barely have time to get the condom out of the package (that is if a condom is even available). Many people will likely need to get tested for various sexually transmitted diseases in their lifetime. Here is a rundown of several sexually transmitted diseases and the methods used to test for them. All About Durex Condom Variety Packs When looking for a condom that fits your needs choosing, can be tough - you can’t simply try before you buy. Well, to alleviate this problem CondomMan has the Durex Condom Variety Packs. In this sampler pack you will get a chance to try a variety of these condoms or choose from a couple only. When looking at the Durex Condom Variety Packs you might want to know something about the types of Condoms you can choose from, so here is a list with their descriptions. World AIDS Day 2007 Since its inception in 1998, World AIDS Day has fought strongly to gain awareness, support and money to promote its campaign to educate the masses about the impact of AIDS and to rally against the prejudices and injustices those living with AIDS still face today. With the Joint United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) estimating that almost 40 million people live with HIV in the world today and, add to that, the 4 million who were infected with HIV just last year, the coordinators of World AIDS Day have their work cut out for them. For just one day, World AIDS Day 2007 will be here reminding the world that HIV is not a disease that can be swept under the rug and forgotten. United States Reports Record High Number of STDs It’s always great to break previously held records unless, as in this case, the record involves number of cases of STDs like chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. In 2006, the United States hit an all-time high with the number of cases of chlamydia reported - over a million. To put that in perspective, that is about 348 people in every 100,000. That may not seem like a lot, but that is a 5.6% increase from the previous year. Chlamydia is a sexually transmitted disease that usually goes unnoticed but that can lead to reproductive issues if left untreated. Last year alone, 1,031,000 cases of chlamydia were reported which shattered the record for number of cases of a sexually transmitted disease. The previous record was attributed to 1978 (with gonorrhea cases) which had almost 18,000 fewer cases than 2006. Keep Your Mind Clear If you are a teenager, there are now more opportunities than ever to use drugs. Forty years ago, adolescents had to choose between alcohol and marijuana, and both were difficult to obtain and expensive. Cocaine and LSD were available only to the very rich or well-connected. Crack was not even invented, nor was crank. Opium was banned, heroin was unheard of, and steroids were still a chemist’s dream. Now you, the teenager, have your choice. You also have more disposable income than any previous generation in history. Bachelorette Party Condom Ideas It’s your girlfriend’s last hurrah before she leaves her single life behind forever and leaps into coupledom – her bachelorette party. This is that night where all her girlfriends get together and do all the things that single girls do. Now, whether the night is tame with a visit to the nail salon and then drinks afterwards or a little more risque with a visit to the strip club and then dancing all night, a bachelorette party isn’t a bachelorette party unless gag gifts and condoms are involved. Besides, condoms are a way of promoting safe sex, so just remember you’re doing a good service for t A Review of Durex Play Lubricants As the world’s largest condom distribution company, Durex (owned by SSL International) knows a thing or two about safe sex. Keeping that in mind, they have designed the ‘Play’ line of Durex Lubricants, each one designed with a special feature in mind to keep safe sex interesting and intruiging. With these added features, these lubricants can add to the excitement of sex. Things Every Person Should Know : The Basics of Putting on a Condom The only learning curve involved in condom use is how to put on a condom. In addition to being effective in the prevention of pregnancy, a condom also protects sexual partners from transmitting an STD or HIV to one another. While nowadays most people agree that condom use is an important part of safe sex, the main problem occurs in the fact that a large amount of people do not know how to correctly put on and use a condom. So while condoms are particularily effective in preventing unwanted pregnancy and STD’s, the lack of knowledge on how to use a condom correctly results in higher failure rates worldwide. Safe Sex : Talk About it First Psychologists agree that the brain is the primary sexual organ. All sex begins in the mind; the act itself is just mechanics. Brain rules mind, and the chemistry of sex is imperative but not rational. Knowing that, we can see how important it is for two individuals to understand one another’s needs and prejudices when it comes to actually having safe sex. Introducing the Lifestyles Condoms Sampler Pack Now you no longer have to decide which condom is your favorite or which one to choose, Condom Man has the Lifestyles Condoms Sampler Pack. In this sample kit you can choose up to four different styles of Lifestyles Condoms, or have them selected for you. Each of the Lifestyles Condoms are made from premium latex, and not only lubricated for comfort but also sensitivity. Each condom is electronically tested more than 3 times to ensure you the best security and quality, while meeting the U.S. standards. Each of the Condom Man condoms expire in 2-5 years from the date you purchase them, so no more worrying about if you will be secure. Put the Condom On Early Sex can be a beautiful thing, and safe sex is that much more beautiful. No matter what your partner tells you about his or her health, there is always the chance that something was missed or even, though no one wants to think so, that your partner is lying. Emotions and hormones run high when you’re starting to get romantic with someone new. That is why it is important to wear a condom from first contact through, not just for the final act. More is Better: Choose your Safe Sex Methods in Abundance Most newlyweds are not ready for children. They are still getting to know one another, and throwing a third human into the mix too early can ruin the natural evolution of a relationship. There may also be financial constraints; weddings are expensive, and it takes time to save money for a new house, pay off cars, and move far enough ahead in the company to make a decent wage. New Liquid Condom In the Works There is a new type of condom that could soon be on the market. This is a condom that begins as a liquid. Like the gels and lubricants used during sexual encounters, this liquid could be administered in the same way. When the condom comes into contact with another surface – that of the woman – it solidifies and becomes a protective condom. AIDS Prevention and Condom Use Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome or AIDS is what occurs when a virus invades the body and begins to destroy its immune system. Normal function of an immune system protects the body against illness and keeps the body healthy. When that immune system becomes compromised, the chance of a life threatening illness infecting the body is significantly increased. The deadly virus that attacks in the case of AIDS is HIV or human immunodeficiency virus. This virus attacks the cells that prevent infections from occurring. These cells are killed one by one until there are none remaining to protect the body. Under virus attack, the body begins to shut down and eventually death occurs. Setting Quality Standards for Condoms Through the years, the popularity of condoms as an effective form of contraceptives has grown, and so has the regulation and standards for quality. As more and more people become condom users, and safe sex becomes a standard practice among the world’s population, manufacturers and regulators alike debate the perfect and practical standards which must be met so that condom users know that these condoms, when used, can be trusted to protect people during intercourse. Durex Performax Condoms For many couples and men in general there is a problem with premature ejaculation. However, there is hope, as the new Durex Performax Condoms are designed with these types of situations in mind. Using the new Durex Performax Condoms, men and their partners can enjoy a longer amount of actual intercourse and even foreplay as they place the condoms on before use then use this time to warm up their love play. Just for Fun: Other Creative Uses for Condoms Through the years, there have been debates on the best method of marketing and distributing condoms in society. Condoms are designed and manufactured to help men and women fight off unwanted pregnancies and the spread of communicable sexually transmitted infection. Why many Men Call for Size-Customized Condoms On the average, there have been estimates that the total number of condoms manufactured globally reaches about 6 billion. It is not yet ascertained how the distribution of the products is allotted worldwide. Manufacturers find it very convenient that they are making condoms with just one standard sizing requirement. That equates to better margins and revenues because there would not be additional costs for making other sizes. There also are also no additional expenses for packaging to distinguish and separate different sizes. A Brief History of Condoms The first ever pioneer, modern brand of condom in use by modern society is Germany's Fromm's Act. The brand was started in 1912 when German manufacturer and innovator Julius Fromm developed a modern manufacturing process that would make condoms attractive and usable. Fromms dipped glass molds into rubber solutions. This technique had helped make the production of very thin condoms without seams possible. By 1930s, manufacturing of condoms further improved and single-use condoms became more popular. Cal State's Plan to Distribute Condoms via Newspaper Shelved Stephanie Birditt, the Advertising Sales Director for Cal State Fullerton's college newspaper, the Daily Titan, recently came up with what was considered at the time to be a savvy marketing move - partnered with the Student Health Center, and advertised across campus, the newspaper would include a free condom with every issue of the November 14th paper. How to Use a Condom Properly In today’s world, society as a whole has come to realize that education is an essential part of safe sex, and safe sex is an essential part of enjoying a healthy sexual relationship. Condoms are truly one of the most popular forms of contraceptives because the items are easily accessible, are less expensive and are easy to use. 2007 Condom Standards Convention Close to 100 experts, manufacturers and policy makers from about 50 different nations worldwide convened in the Jeju Island in South Korea for the 24th convention about condom standards. The International Organization for Standardization held the summit to discuss major issues that surround the condom making industry. Teenagers, Education and Condoms A new research study conducted by study group PloS Medicine asserted that the spread of human immunodeficiency virus can be effectively contained through teaching teenagers on how to use condoms properly. The research has proven that people can help curtail the widespread of the virus that leads to acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or AIDS. A Review of Innovative New Condom Styles by Trojan When it comes to condoms, some people are just too meticulous. Gone are the days when people thought condoms were all the same. Now, there are several other sizes of condoms. The standard sized ones are not obsolete but are given complementary sizes to cater to those men, who claim to have much bigger sizes than the average. Durex, the Most Popular Condom brand in the World When it comes to condoms, users have a few reliable brands in mind. While there surely are too many condom names and products out in stores, there are only a few brands that really create a favorable impression. Among these rubber latex names is Durex. It is estimated that there are about a billion condoms manufactured and sold by Durex in each year. Durex condoms are made and distributed globally through about 17 facilities strategically scattered across the globe. [1] [2]	Publish for Free Sign Up For Free Learn More Authors and Writers Submit Articles Submission Guidelines Link to Us Member Login U Publish Store Publishers Article RSS Feeds Link to Us Contact Us More Link to Us Privacy Policy Terms of Service Submission Guidelines Top Authors Popular Articles Article Aids We Recommend SubmitYourArticle iSnare Article Marketer Published.com Article Directories Word Count Utility Search U Publish by: Title Author Keyword

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