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Everyone deserves to have a fun, healthy sex life. Using condoms and other barrier methods to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and unintended pregnancy is an important part of taking care of your health and your partner’s health.

Contrary to popular myth, condoms don’t ruin the mood — people who use condoms rate their sexual experiences just as highly as people who don’t.

Condoms are a good way to lower stress and focus more on having a pleasurable sex life. Many people say they find sex to be more enjoyable when they use condoms because they aren’t worrying about STIs or unintended pregnancy.

There are so many kinds of condoms to choose from: latex, plastic (polyurethane, nitrile, or polyisoprene), lambskin, flavored, colored, ribbed, different sizes, etc., to meet the needs of you and your partner. Trying different kinds can be a fun way to help you find what works best for both of you.

Always check condoms for the expiration date and possible holes. It’s also important to avoid using oil-based lubricants (like coconut oil or lotions) because they can damage condoms and cause them to break.

While the majority of condoms prevent STIs from spreading, it's important to note that lambskin condoms do not, and will only prevent unintended pregnancy. Only plastic or latex condoms prevent the spread of STIs.

Using water- or silicon-based lubricant with condoms and other barrier methods can lessen friction, making sex more comfortable and barriers less likely to tear.

Using barrier methods can help make sex safer, more pleasurable, and fun. So pick your protection! No matter which barrier method you choose, safer sex is the best sex.

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