Monday, April 20, 2009

Vibrator + Condom?

This summary is not available. Please click here to view the post.

Thursday, April 9, 2009

Are silicone based lubes dangerous to use with latex products?

Silicone and water-based lubes are really great for all latex products!

~Silicone-based lube is newer to the market. It lasts longer than water-based lube and can be used in the water without being washed away (a pro or a con). The only time when someone can run into trouble with silicone based lubes is with sex toys made out of silicone; this will cause it to break down and jeopardize the integrity of the product!
~Water-based lube is tried and tested. It very infrequently causes irritation and it is easy to clean up (without lots of soap which is required for silicone) - but it might dry up quickly (solved with easy reapplication! or with some saliva!). The water based lubes that contain glycerin (usually those snazzy flavored ones) can cause yeast infections.

-->Oil-based lubes (usually like Vaseline or lotion) *do* break down latex. They can also "coat" the inside of the vagina or anus, leading to infections. This sort of lubrication is safely used by people with male genitalia masturbating alone or for people with female genitalia who stick to external stimulation.

Can a STI be transmitted via oral sex?

Great question!
There is a risk of transmission during unprotected oral sex. The San Fransisco City Clinic has put together a really nice STI (aka STD) Risk Chart and it's online:
http://www.sfcityclinic.org/stdbasics/stdchart.asp
This site breaks down different sexual acts, along the lines of biological, sexual organs, into categories of STI known risks, possible risks, and unknown risks.
It also notes that:
  • Kissing, mutual masturbation, and frottage or dry humping are considered safer sex activities, with little to no risk of STD transmission.
  • Using latex condoms (male or female) significantly reduces the risk of contracting STDs during anal, vaginal and oral sex.
  • Washing hands and the genital area thoroughly before and after oral-anal sex reduces the risk of transmission of most of the listed STDs and conditions. Condom use reduces transmission risk even further.
Another great resource, specifically regarding HIV transmission during oral sex, can be found on the CDC webpage:
http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/resources/qa/qa19.htm
This was a really wonderful question that continues to have a rather vague answer! HIV can definitely be passed on to either the person performing or receiving oral sex; however, it is only speculated that the risk of transmission is less than through unprotected anal or vaginal intercourse.

Thanks for asking,

Sexperts