Safe Sex: Affection with Protection

A few months ago, a PR company representing Lifestyles Condoms contacted us. Of course, we want our readers to stay informed about safe-sex practices, so we agreed to check out their latest products. We gave the assignment to a writer who wished to remain anonymous, and this is her report…

Condoms: What A GIRL Wants

Single after more than 20 years of marriage. After the divorce, the idea of using a condom was unthinkable. I mean, how hard was it going to be to get TO sex in the first place, much less become adept at applying a condom? Most importantly, how in the world was I going to convince some guy that I wouldn’t have sex without a condom, when I really didn’t like the idea of using one myself?

My sense of the divine paradox was tested when I was offered the opportunity to "test" several different condom styles by Lifestyles Condoms and write about them … from the point of view of the WOMAN: What a Girl Wants! Fortunately I had a man in my life again at that point (couldn’t really do the testing without him), and he happily agreed to participate.

Lifestyle Condoms sent not just one of each style they offered, but entire boxes of nine different condom styles. The styles they sent were:

1. Flavors

2. Ribbed Pleasure

3. Ultra Thin

4. Mega

5. Studded

6. Warming Pleasure

7. Warming Pleasure Packets

8. Sheer Pleasure

9. Ultra Sensitive

I also received a Vibrating Ring, which we soon learned was a fabulous invention – a good choice for when your partner is tired.

The Ultra Thin, Sheer Pleasure and Ultra Sensitive all must have been designed with the man in mind, although my partner was less than enthusiastic about them. Since this blog is about what a GIRL wants, I suggest skipping those in favor of the more exciting varieties.

My Top Choice: WARMING PLEASURE PACKETS

These are condoms that come with a separate packet of warming gel. I found this combination especially delightful. There is also a Warming Pleasure condom all-in-one, with the gel already applied (we preferred the separate packets).

His Top Choice (and My Second): STUDDED

The extra texture was exciting, and he enjoyed it, too. He felt it was much more of a shared experience than a regular condom.

Coming in Third for Me and Second for Him: RIBBED

This time, the added texture didn’t have that much of an impact. But it was definitely more pleasing than a plain condom.

I wasn’t impressed by the Mega condoms, but I actually liked the taste of the banana-flavored condoms – not too sweet or bitter.

After more than a year of being single, what I have learned is this: Condoms are a fact of life. Don’t consider any other way, unless you are really monogamous and have both been tested. If you are in bed with a guy and he doesn’t have the guts to use a condom … or he tries to convince you that one isn’t needed … RUN. He is not worth a conversation, much less your body fluids and possibly your life.

Besides, you can arrive equipped with Warming Pleasure Packets! WHOOPEE!!!

Comments

[Ken Johnston]

Great post. You've made a big contribution to your fellow elders. As you know, our generations didn't talk openly about sex, and especially we don't talk about elderly sex.

As a consequence, we aren't alerted often to the necessity for protecting ourselves from sexually transmitted diseases. Your post is a clear reminder that we must remember ourselves the very things we did our best to teach our kids.

I'm going to link to your post so my readers interested in retirement living get a clear warning about some of the dangers we don't hear much about.

[Melina Papadakis]

A Boomerful.com follow-up on the article above: Melina here! Our offices received a LifeStyles Sensual Kit from the good folks who sent the samples mentioned above (I'm not the lady who tried out those samples).

According to a survey commissioned by LifeStyles, U.S. women are more likely to want to have sex than receive cars, flowers, chocolates, jewelry and lingerie on Valentine’s Day. From personal experience, I'd say that's very true. Unfortunately, Dimitri's idea of a romantic evening is hamburgers and bowling!

So like I said, Lifestyles sent us their Sensual Kit, which included:

A vibrating ring.
Massage oil.
Two Warm Lovin’ Sachets, a warming personal lubricant.
Two Excite Gels, another lubricant.
12 Ultra Sensitive Latex Condoms.
12 Studded Latex Condoms.
2 Maximum Sensation Condom Discs.
One Condom Wallet.

I showed all this to Dimitri and he said, "What are we supposed to do with this stuff?"

I told him, "Think back, my darling! Use every brain-cell and try to remember a distant time when we used to get excited about each other!"

His reply was, "What? I took you out for bowling and hamburgers last week!"

So, ladies, I did not get to try out all the sexy Lifestyles stuff. Hopefully you will have better luck than me! Happy Valentine's Day!