POPSUGAR -- Insanely addictive.

Sunday Confessional: I Didn't Tell Him the Condom Broke

DearSugar — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 09:00:00 -0800

I recently went off the pill because my husband and I want to start trying to get pregnant this Spring. I thought it would be a good idea to let my body adjust, so we've been using condoms ever since. Though I've been ready for a while now, my husband wants to wait until we're more financially stable, which I completely understand. One night last month while we were having sex, I kept thinking to myself that it didn't feel like the condom was still on — it just felt too good. When he took it off, he didn't say anything so I just assumed it was still intact. I went to the bathroom to freshen up and checked the trash, just in case, and I was right — the condom had torn. Something inside of me got excited — there was now a possibility that I could become pregnant! I didn't say anything to him about that night, and just this morning, I realized my period was late. I took a pregnancy test and it showed I am in fact pregnant! I'm thrilled, but at the same time, I'm guilt ridden for not being honest. The current state of the economy has made us even more financially unstable and I'm petrified to tell my husband this news. I would hate to think that he would have wanted me to take the morning after pill, so my train of thinking is what he won't know won't hurt him. Is it forgivable to keep my knowledge of the broken condom my little secret? Source

Sunday Confessional: I Didn't Tell Him the Condom Broke

Forgive?

Not forgive?

Undecided

Lifestyles Skyn Condoms: "Closest Thing to Wearing Nothing"

DearSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 10:00:00 -0800

If condoms are your primary form of birth control, for both pregnancy and STI prevention, then you'll be happy to know there's a new thin condom on the market. Lifestyles Skyn pledges to be the "closest thing to wearing nothing." Well that sounds inviting, doesn't it? These new Skyn condoms are made of a breakthrough material called polyisoprene, which is designed to be softer, stretchier, and more natural feeling. Skyns are meant to feel more like skin-to-skin contact, which is what we're after when it comes to sex, right? They are latex-free, so they're perfect if you have a latex allergy, but they still protect you against STIs. If you're turned off by regular condoms because they decrease sexual sensations, then you may want to give these a try. Let me warn you that they're pricier than latex condoms, with a 12-pack costing around $13.50. If they make your time under the sheets better, then I say they're worth the extra dough!

Have any of you tried these Skyn condoms yet? If so, let me know your thoughts in the comments section below.

Where Do You Stand? Using Condoms When You're Married

DearSugar — Tue, 28 Oct 2008 08:00:00 -0700

If you're not a fan of hormonal birth control, your options are limited when it comes to staying pregnancy-free. Condoms are an easy choice to stay protected when you're not in a committed relationship, but I've been hearing more and more married couples say that condoms are their preferred method of birth control, too. Of course to each their own, but isn't one of the perks of being in a committed marriage (one that's clear of STIs) that you don't have to fuss with interrupting the moment to find a condom? Clearly I'd pick another method, but where do you stand on using condoms when you're married? Do you, or would you, use them too?

Source

Dear Quiz: How Well Do You Know Condom Brands?

DearSugar — Mon, 27 Oct 2008 12:00:00 -0700

If you've ever wandered down the feminine hygiene and condom aisle at your local drugstore, then you're sure to have noticed what amazing varieties there are in the world of condoms. There are different styles, sizes, colors, flavors, and of course, brands competing for your use! I'm sure many of you have sampled a few, but do you know your brands by the box? Take my quiz to test your knowledge! Source

Question 1

1 of 8

Touted as being ultra thin, which brand is this?

Virginia Pharmacy Won't Carry Contraception

DearSugar — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 11:00:00 -0700

I've heard of Roman Catholics not believing in birth control, but now a new Roman Catholic pharmacy in Virginia doesn't believe in selling it. Divine Mercy Care Pharmacy isn't the only one letting their faith lead their business. Seven other pharmacies across the nation are doing the same. They're refusing to sell any forms of contraception, including condoms, birth control pills, and the morning-after pill, even if the person has a prescription.

States are dealing with this issue by passing laws that require drugstores to go against their religious beliefs and fill the prescriptions. Right now though, in the state of Virginia, these laws don't exist and devout Catholic-based drugstores are allowed to deny birth control to anyone who walks in their store.

To find out what abortion-rights groups think,

You Asked: How Can I Get Over My Guilt?

DearSugar — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 06:00:00 -0700

Dear Sugar,

I've been dating my boyfriend for almost a year and we've been friends for three years before that. We're very much in love and plan on getting married and having kids. About four years ago I found out that I have HPV which developed into genital warts — I've since had treatment and the warts are gone. I never told my boyfriend for fear that he wouldn't have wanted to be with me, but the guilt was killing me so I told him the truth this week. He reacted very well and we are still together, but I'm a wreck about all this. How can I let go of my guilt so it doesn't affect my relationship any more than it already has? — Remorseful Renata

To see DearSugar's answer,

Which Is More Embarrassing to Buy?

FitSugar — Sat, 27 Sep 2008 03:30:00 -0700

Grocery shopping is usually an uneventful experience, except for the few times when life calls for a unique addition to my list. I'm grateful that I can buy such necessities at most stores, but sometimes the items I need to purchase are a little more telling than others. During times when I don't feel like broadcasting my business, I head to the self checkout. I'm sure you can relate so tell me . . .

Which Is More Embarrassing to Buy?

Condoms

Yeast infection medicine

Lice treatment

Send Condoms to Republicans, Give Money to Democrats

CitizenSugar — Sat, 30 Aug 2008 13:00:15 -0700

Planned Parenthood must think that the conventions are just big orgies. They're asking supporters to send condoms to the Republican National Convention along with money, of course, that will go to the Planned Parenthood Action Fund and Barack Obama's campaign.

Ten dollars will send one condom, $35 sends four, you get the picture. The Democrats will get the money, and they're hoping the Republicans will get the message.

OK, so the condoms aren't meant to be used (but they can . . . even for the most conventional sex), they're meant to serve as a reminder that prevention is a nonpartisan issue. Even if Planned Parenthood relays the message in its usual partisan tone, saying:

They don't get that young people need comprehensive, accurate sex education. They don't get that they don't belong in the exam room letting their politics get in the middle of a woman and her doctor. And they don't get that preventing sexually transmitted diseases starts with one simple item: a condom.

Do you think Republicans will get Planned Parenthood's message? Or are the bright-pink wrappers distracting and the message, um, plastic?

Planned Parenthood isn't the only safe-sex group cropping up at the conventions. To see who we saw last week,

The Golden Girls Shop For Condoms

GiggleSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 16:00:18 -0700

Buying condoms is nothing to be embarrassed about; just ask the Golden Girls. That is, until the cashier announces to the whole store that you're buying ultrasensitive prophylactics in black. (Also, this could totally be a plotline on Sex and the City.)

Dear Quiz: Condom Education

DearSugar — Mon, 25 Aug 2008 09:00:00 -0700

While fumbling for a condom has been known to kill the mood, we have to appreciate them for the freedom they give people every day to enjoy some hanky panky. If you think you know everything there is to know about these invaluable drugstore items, then take my quiz and find out. Good luck!

Source