Good news for those who dislike traditional condoms flavors, such as banana, strawberry, chocolate and other flavors that must seem great to those who have sweet teeth. Hindustan Latex, Indian manufacturer of condoms issues condoms that have flavor of betel and tabacco that is traditionally chewed by millions of people in all over the South Asia.

Condoms with so unusual flavor have been sold to prostitutes who are at much risk to be infected with HIV.

Before launching the new series the company had carried out some tests among prostitutes. The women had to test differently flavored condoms and to choose the flavor they like most. Condoms with flavor of betel and tobacco won the competition having left behind so traditional flavors as banana, vanilla and others.

"This flavor won the competition because many prostitutes chew betel" – said the spokesperson for Family Health International, the company that took part in development of these condoms.

Mixture of betel oil, tobacco and some flavoring substances causes light narcotic effect. This mixture is greatly popular in all over the South Asia.

The spokeperson for Hindustan Latex said that the new condoms will be sold to prostitutes only, after some time they will become available for all others.

As often as not condoms become newsmakers. Here are some amazing and funny stories where condoms played the main roles.

Doctor, help me take off the condom!

A man in Romania had to apply for medical help when he could not take off the condom that was glued on the penis.

Once 43-year-old Nicolae Popovici, the father of five children decided he did not want more kids. Having made this conclusion he bought a condom - perhaps this was the first condom he ever bought, or even ever saw. The first experience was unsuccessful. During intercourse the man and his wife realized that the condom was too big.

The smart man found the way out quickly: he put a generous amount of high quality glue on the penis and thus glued the condom to the cock, according to The National Newspaper.

It remains unknown whether the first trial was successful, but when it came to the condom's removal the spouses realized that they cannot cope with the problem with their own efforts, so they went to the local hospital.

"He thought a condom could be used for several times, so he wanted to leave it on the penis for a while. It was quite difficult to take the condom off'' - said a doctor from the hospital.

Condom on the plate

This story happened to an American woman who enjoyed dinner together with her friends in McCormick&Schmickes restaurant (Los Angeles) when she suddenly realized she was eating a latex condom instead of sea foods.

"I thought this was a calmar or a shrimp" - said the woman - So I chewed it for a while. After some time she realized her favorite soup contained a condom, according to Der Spiegel.

The woman spit out the "tasteless gum" and saw something that reminded of a piece of rubber glove. However one of her friends guessed this was a condom, fortunately a new, unused one.

The woman felt terribly. She claimed she had shock and depression and sued the restaurant.

Public Trying on a Dress

A young man decided to try on a condom without leaving the shop. This unusual incident happened in Norway.

Shop assistants say the man spent much time choosing a condom. In the end he took off the clothes to try on a condom and to choose the one that will suit him most.

The shop assistants decided not to present charges against the man, as he was very polite.

"May be he did that for a dare, or this was a joke, anyway, this was disorderly conduct", said the policeman that was called by the witnesses of the incident.

Indians use condoms inadequately

Indians use condoms in most unusual ways. In this country millions of free condoms are used inadequately, though these are intended for struggle with AIDS and for demographic increase control. Condoms are colored and inflated as air balloons, condoms are used for water transportation and soldiers protect their arms from dirt with help of condoms. Besides, condoms are used as a waterproofing layer for roofs and even as topping for roads, according to Daily Telegraph.

Only a quarter of 1,5 billion of condoms that are manufactured in India are used as contraceptive, according to the statistics.

What materials are condoms made out of?

Most condoms are made of natural latex the major source of which is Rubber tree, or Hevea brasiliensis, a tree that initially grew in the Amazon forest. Now Hevea brasiliensis is being cultivated in South-East Asia (Malasian latex is considered to be the best one). The rubber tree can reach a heigth of over 30 m.

A latex condom consists of natural latex (92 percent) and some other agents (vulcanizers, inhibitors and others) that provide some special and necessary characteristics (durability, flexibility and others).

Latex condoms are considered to be the best ones as these are thin and durable at the same time. However, latex condoms have two disadvantages. First of all latex condoms can be easily damaged by sun light and high temperatures. Secondly, some people are allergic to latex.

Allergy to lubricants (especially colored and flavored ones) can be met much more often. Thus you should try a condom with another lubricant if you experience some discomfort when using a condom. Most probably you will realize you have no allergy to condoms.

Keep in mind, that only water-based or silicone-based lubricants can be used with latex condoms. Oil-based lubricants damage latex (as well as sex toys).

What can you do if you have true latex allergy? Latex allergy does not mean you cannot use condoms. First of all, you can use condoms made out of hypoallergenic latex, i.e latex that has less so called complex proteins that cause allergy. Secondly, you can use condoms made out of some synthetic materials, for instance polyurethane.

Polyurethane condoms do not cause allergy. These are not damaged by high temperature and are as durable as latex condoms. Polyurethane condoms can be used with any kind of lubricant: water-based, silicone-based or oil-based. However, polyurethane condoms have one disadvantage - these are much more expensive than latex condoms.

Some condoms are made of natural membranes ( animal skin or intestines). These condoms cannot cause allergy but their effectiveness against sexually transmitted diseases is very low.

Creative people do know that condoms are not only effective contraceptives, as they can become a good material for many things, for example for dresses.

Spain

Adriana Bertini, designer makes her most unusual clothings out of latex condoms. This way she wishes to draw public attention to problems of those HIV positive and those who have AIDS.

"I am strongly convinced that putting on a condom for sex must be a good habit like brushing teeth and taking a shower. You don't forget to take a shower before an intimate date, so you should not forget to put on a condom, this should be a habit!"

Some of the dresses created by Adriana consist of more than 50.000 condoms. Adriana's wedding dress is made out of 80.000 condoms and weights about 25 kg. This is a nice example of how a usual thing can become a material for a work of art. By the way, all Adriana's dresses are made of "bad", expired condoms.

If Adriana's wish comes true she will have no material for her nice dresses!

China

Nurses from a Chinese hospital found their own way to fight AIDS and to promote safe sex. They put on dresses made out of condoms and went in the streets.

These unusual dresses took about 5000 condoms and two weeks of hard labors. A representative of the hospital said – These dresses shock. I hope they will remind people of significance of safe sex.

This way the girls celebrated the World Aids Day that is on the 1st of December. They handed booklets and condoms to everyone who wanted to join the movement.

Liu Xuanyi, a famous Chinese transvestite, as well as nurses found his own way to promote safe sex. He made and demonstrated to journalists a dress made of 300 condoms.

The witnesses of the unusual demonstration said that the dress ways quite pretty and sexy. Red ribbon - the symbol of solidarity of people living with HIV/ AIDS emphasized the idea of safe sex and made the dress look sexy.

Latvia

A medical museum in Riga (Latvia) exhibited a dress made of condoms that became an item t in the exhibition "Love. Sex. Abortion".

The dress took more than 400 condoms of different colors, flavors and sizes. What to the exhibition itself, its purpose was to demonstrate the role of love in society and to show its connection with sex and abortions.

" Absence of information, lack of knowledge about safe sex - for these reasons happy love leads to abortion." - the organizers of the exhibit say. - Our goal is to convince people opt for safer sex that prevents lots of troubles.

If you are dissatisfied or want to experiment with your penis size, one of the natural ways to do it painfully and comfortably is to use a penis extension.

Penis extension is a hollow device placed on a penis to extend its girth and length. You can use this sex toy for various purposes:

• to add more thickness and length to your penis
• to increase your erection
• For additional stimulation

Types of penis extensions

Hollow strap-on dildos and vibrators
These are sex toys that look like a phallus-shaped penis attachment being hollow for inserting penis. You can use these dildos being either erect or not. It allows to sustain longer erection prolonging the intercourse, increases the size of your penis and can be also used by lesbian partners as a strap-on dildo.

Ticklers
Ticklers are sex toys that are phallus-shaped to fit the penis and have a textured surface and additional features for sexual stimulation. Though they fit like a condom, they are not used as a birth control method.

Traditional penis extensions
Penis extension of a more traditional type have a shape similar to a real penis extending penis girth and length for up to 3 inches. These sex toys are put on an erect penis and taken off like a condom.

How to use a penis sleeve

1. Penis sleeve is very easy in use, giving you plenty of possibilities to please your partner.
2. Place a penis extension over the head of the penis and roll on over the shaft to fit snuggly. You may apply small amounts of water-based lubricant on the penis for better slide but avoiding the excessive amount to prevent the penis extension from slipping off during the intercourse.
3. Also use lubricant to apply it on the external surface of the toy. Like with the other sex toys, lubricant is necessary to make penetration smoother and more comfortable.
4. To take off the penis extension you will need to roll it to the tip and remove.
5. Penis extensions can be cleaned with special sex toys cleaner or warm water and mild soap. keep in mind that penis sleeve shouldn't be shared and can be used only by one person. For safety reasons you can put on a condom on a penis extension.

Condom is a unique contraceptive as it protects you from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy, no other contraceptive can provide so great effect. Nevertheless, many people avoid using condoms due to some myths that describe condom as something awful that deprives you of pleasure. What are these myths?

Myth 1. Condoms are male contraceptives and they must be bought by men.
This is a very popular opinion, but it is groundless. About 35 % condom buyers are women.

Myth 2. Condom affects sensations and makes sex less enjoyable
Modern latex condoms are very durable, elastic and at the same time they are very thin. So thin that you won't feel you are wearing a condom. What is more, some condoms can even enhance your sensations as these have textured surface that provides additional stimulation. Some condoms come with a prolonging lubricant that contains benzocaine. These condoms are designed for those who have problems with ejaculation control. Choose the condom that suits you best and enjoy safer sex and great pleasure time!

Myth 3. Condoms cause friction, discomfort and pain
Almost all available condoms come with water-based or silicone-based lubricant that reduces pain and discomfort. Silicone-based lubricants have two main advantages: they provide long-lasting lubrication and do not cost much. However these are not water-soluble. Water-based lubricants are water-soluble and feel very naturally.
Also there are lubricants that contain spermicides (sperm-killers that increase condom's effectiveness) and anesthetics (agents that prolong sexual intercourse). Flavored lubricants make condoms perfect for oral sex. If still you feel discomfort and pain, than do go to doctor as painful intercourse might be a sign of some disorders.

Myth 4. Sex without condom influences health of female partner beneficially
The truth. Some people think that woman needs hormones that are contained in semen and that is why she should practice sex without condom. However, abortion and infections can hardly be called beneficial. 55 percent of infertile women lost ability to conceive as the result of an abortion. Is it worth mentioning that sexually transmitted diseases also lead to infertility and other troubles?
The only disadvantage of latex condoms is that these contain protein that might cause allergy in some people. Those who have latex allergy should use polyurethane condoms.

Myth 5. We are faithful spouses, we don't need a condom
The truth. Even if you are spouses and you do not plan pregnancy, you should use a condom. One can get infected through non-sexual way. This is especially important if the female partner is pregnant.

Myth 6. Suggestion to use a condom can insult the partner and shows my distrust
Nothing of the kind! Thus you will show your care of your partner's health and safety!

Any kind of sex must be safe! No matter what kind of sex you practice: vaginal, oral or anal, it must be protected.

Anal sex very rarely leads to unwanted pregnancy (believe it or not, there were such cases when sperm got from anus to vagina), but it does require using a condom.

Why you should use a condom for anal sex?

Sexually transmitted diseases can be easily transmitted through anal sex. What to HIV, this virus is even more likely to be transmitted though anal sex, than by vaginal or anal. The fact is that anus is not as flexible as vagina. It easier gets injured during sex, thus it is much more vulnerable to infections.

Keep in mind that anal sex transmits such STDs as anal gonorrhea, anal herpes, anal condyloma, hepatitis A and B, intestinal infections, to say nothing of HIV.

What condoms you should use for anal sex?

You can use simple condoms or special heavy-duty condoms that are designed for anal sex. Usually anal sex implies more friction, that is why condoms for anal sex should be more durable.

Do not use scented or flavored condoms as these might cause allergy. If you have latex allergy, use polyurethane condoms.

What lubricant should I use for anal sex?

Keep in mind that oil-based lubricants damage latex. That is why you should use only water-based or silicone-based lubricants with latex condoms.

If you are allergic to latex, or for some other reason use polyurethane condoms, than you can use any kind of sex lubricant, including oil-based.

There are special lubricants for anal sex. These contain benzocaine, an agent that desensitizes anus, relieves pain and makes penetration more comfortable.

Anal sex without condom

Sometimes we get so overwhelmed by passion that nothing can prevent us from sex, including absence of a condom. What should you keep in mind if you have anal sex without a condom?

• Longer intercourse– more risk. The longer anal intercourse lasts, the more risky it is.
• The more lubrication – the better. Use as much lubricant as possible. Lubricants diminish the risk of injuries, that increase the risk to get infected for both partners. So if you don't use condoms, than, at least use plenty of lubricant.
• Withdrawal (intercourse without ejaculation). Withdrawal makes unprotected anal sex less risky for the receiving partner. You can ask the giving partner to interrupt intercourse before ejaculation. However, keep in mind that this measure doesn't exclude risk, as HIV and other infections contain in pre-ejaculatory fluids.

My partner wants to try a glowing in the dark condom, but I doubt whether it is safe. I wonder what agents are used to make the condom glow. Is it safe or it can affect my health somehow?

Glowing is caused by zinc sulfide (ZnS) that begins glowing when combined with copper. These agents are absolutely safe, as copper can be found nearly everywhere and zinc sulfide is contained in many minerals.

The results of the tests that were performed in Japan showed that glowing in the dark condoms are absolutely safe.

I heard there are condoms that relieve pain in virgins during the first sex. Is is true?

Perhaps you mean condoms with anesthetics (lidocaine, benzocaine and others). Such condoms are designed to decrease sensitivity of the head of the penis and thus to avoid early ejaculation and to prolong sexual intercourse. That is why the anesthetic should be inside the condom.

However, some manufacturers add anesthetic to the external lubricant. Thus such a condom can relieve pain in a woman. However, this is an exception or a defect: such condoms should influence men's sensations, rather than woman's.

If you want to relieve pain somehow you can use a lubricant with anesthetic, but take into account that such a lubricant will relieve pain and at the same time will decrease your sensitivity in general.

I have an infection and I wonder whether I can be absolutely sure that my partner won't get infected if I use condoms.

No condom can guarantee a 100 percent protection from unwanted pregnancy or transmission of infections. However, there are no other methods that can diminish the risk of getting infected so considerably. So it remains up to you whether to use a condom or to abstain from sex until you are healthy.

Is it a defect if a condom has too much Vaseline?

A condom cannot has Vaseline at all, as Vaseline is made of organic oils that damage latex. That is why you should not use Vaseline as a lubricant with a condom. Perhaps you mean water-based lubricant or lubricants based on mineral oils (usually this is silicone oil). Large amount of lubricant does not mean that the condom is of pour quality. At least the lubricant will not leak off if the package is leakproof.

I know that condoms are electronically tested. What is the procedure?

Every condom is stretched over a metal former and subjected to a high voltage. If the condom has no defects it will serve as a good isolator. If there are any holes the voltage will decrease and the condom will be rejected. However this testing does not exclude breakage during the following operations (for instance packaging).

I know that spermicides protect from pregnancy and prevent getting infected with an STD. Can I use a spermicide lubricant instead of condom?

Spermicides (including nonoxynol-9) have been used since sixteens of the previous century. They used to be considered to diminish the risk or unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV.

However studies that were monitored by WHO in 2000-20001 brought quite unexpected results. Here are the most important conclusions

• h-9, if used without a condom has moderate contraceptive effect
• there are no evident proves that condoms with spermicide lubricant is more effective than a condom with any other lubricant
• h-9 damages cellular membranes in the vagina
• h-9 cannot be used anally
• h-9 damages latex, especially if the condom is textured

Usually spermicide lubricants are applied only to smooth, non-flavored condoms.

Insertable sex toys, such as , and are often recommended to use with condoms. You might wonder “Why should I put a condom on a sex toy? A sex toy cannot make me pregnant, it cannot infect me with HIV or some other virus!”.

You are right, but still using a condoms on sex toy is a good idea. But why?

Why you should use a condom on a sex toy

1. Using a condom on a sex toy contributes to better hygiene. Many sex toys are made of porous materials. Pores make the sex toy quite difficult to clean, because bacteria might remain in the pores even after cleaning. The way out is very easy – you put a condom on the sex toy and you take the condom off after the play. Thus the sex toy will remain completely clean.
2. Using a condom on a sex toy prolongs the toy's lifespan, because you do not have to wash the sex toy with strong detergents and thus you do not damage the surface of the sex toy.
3. Using a condom on a sex toy is a very good idea if you share your sex toys with a partner. You put a condom on the sex toy and you use a fresh one before giving the sex toy to the partner. Thus you will avoid infections, STDs and HIV.
4. Using a condom on the sex toy is a perfect way out for those who use the same sex toy for anal and for vaginal penetration. If you insert the sex toy in the anus and then into the vagina without washing you are likely to transmit infections from the anus to the vagina. Using a condom on the sex toy solves this problem, just use a fresh condom before vaginal play.

Tips

1. If you are allergic to latex, use condoms made of some other materials, for instance .
2. Always use with sex toys. Sex lubricants provide easier penetration and better glide. However, keep in mind that latex condoms are incompatible with oil-based lubricants, since these damage condoms. Latex condoms are compatible only with water-based and silicone based lubricants. Polyurethane condoms are compatible with any kind of sex lubricants, including oil-based ones.
3. For extra pleasure you can use or dotted condoms. This is a good idea if your sex toy is absolutely smooth and you want to get some extra stimulation.
4. Use if you want to enhance your play even more

Any kind of sexual play should be safe. No matter what pleasure you prefer: vaginal sex, anal sex, oral sex or play with sex toys, use condoms. Let your play be enjoyable and safe!