First things first: flavored condoms are an acquired taste (‘scuse the pun). Unfortunately for bay owners, those novelty banana, cherry, or donut flavored johnnies you may have received from Secret Santa likely feature sugar-based flavoring. Now, if there’s one thing we know, it’s that yeast feeds on sugar—and you definitely don’t want to encourage yeast growth down there. Join us as we explore why flavored condoms may not be the best choice for vaginal intercourse and which condoms will help keep your vagina happy.
If you’re new to the phenomenon, scented condoms are just regular latex condoms with a scented coating. Without going all Gareth Keenan, you can now find flavored condoms in almost any flavor. From chocolate to cola, it might sound like a pick and mix bag, but flavored condoms were actually designed to make oral sex with a condom more enjoyable. Some people don’t like the rubbery, chemical taste of traditional latex condoms, so these funky little numbers were developed to make dropping less ‘oof’ and more ‘mmm’.
No, you can’t get pregnant from oral sex… but you can spread and get STDs. It is very important to use condoms for oral sex to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases such as chlamydia, gonorrhea and syphilis. Many people know that STDs can be transmitted through vaginal or anal sex, but they don’t realize that falling without any protection can also be dangerous. Even if your sexual partner says he hasn’t seen any symptoms, it doesn’t mean he doesn’t have something unwanted hanging out in his genitals. Some STDs like chlamydia can go undetected for months without ever showing symptoms.
Good question. Flavored or not, there are certain standards that your elastic johnnies must meet in order to be CE marked in the UK (yes, HANX is CE certified!). Be sure to check your condom package for this sign, especially if you’ve received a glow-in-the-dark, blueberry-flavored set in your stocking from *that* kooky mate.
For our friends with sinuses, our second tip is crucial. To make condoms taste like a dump from the Skittles factory, condom manufacturers have to add a lot of chemicals. The more chemicals in a condom, the greater the chance of vaginal irritation or yeast infection. Glycerin is particularly troublesome, as well Sugar will inevitably wreak havoc on your gut’s carefully balanced ecosystem. It can disrupt your pH, leaving you more prone to developing thrush or bacterial vaginosis. Are you feeling the results? Check out our personal health treatments that ship same day.
It sounds strange, but it’s true: the product you use to protect yourself from sexually transmitted diseases can actually increase your chance of contracting one. Like Team HANX before our first white oatmeal of the morning, vaginal tissue is very sensitive and easily irritated. If the chemicals and Fragrances cause vaginal pain, may make it easier to contract an STD. Likewise, not all flavored/novelty condoms are designed for vaginal (or indeed anal) sex. If you’re determined to head down to flavor city, be sure to check the package for any instructions to make sure your fruity French letter is right for your plans.
Thinking outside the box, huh? Technically, yes you can. However, just like flavored condoms, flavored lubricants are made using ingredients that can disrupt the natural pH balance of your vagina. If you really like to add some flavor to the bedroom (bathroom, living room or kitchen), be sure to use a water-scented lube instead of an oil-based formula. This is because the oil breaks down the structure of the latex causing it to degrade, putting you at risk of STDs and/or unwanted pregnancy. Learn more here.
To protect yourself from everything – pregnancy, STDs and yeast infections – use a natural, unflavored condom. When we developed ours HANX condomswe used all of our co-founder Sarah’s experience in NHS sexual health and gynecology to create a condom that offers the protection you want, without that classic rubber smell or taste. We’ve removed any fragrance to ensure our friends with allergies and those who don’t like added fragrances will be fine too!
Do they want more?
- Learn more about his world Natural Condomsmall.
- If you’re ready to take the plunge, shop HANX condoms now.
- Join the conversation in our free digital forum, HANX Life, here.
