You know what we find supremely sexy in the bedroom? Someone who knows their stuff when it comes to barriers. Whether its condoms, dams, sponges or PrEP, there’s something truly gratifying about a sexual partner who is unfazed by it all; it lifts some of the awkwardness and lets you focus on the fun part. Since we believe in the adage, “be the change you want to see in the world,” we’ve created a Jeopardy!-style guide to barriers, to help make you living proof that smart equals sexy.
Covered in Condoms
Let’s start with ‘Contraception’ for $800 (for legal purposes the money is metaphorical.) Tried and true (albeit somewhat male-centric) and often the first thing people think of when they hear the word contraception, this barrier is typically made of latex and functions as a sheath-like contraption to cover the penis. “What is condoms?”, you say? Remember this is a Jeopardy!-style blog so we can’t hear your answers.
Condoms are inexpensive, easy to use and are probably the most well-known on the prophylactic list. They reduce your risk of contracting STDs, STIs and help prevent pregnancy. Additionally, internal condoms exist too. Sometimes referred to as ‘femidoms’, internal condoms work on the inverse logic: protecting the vagina with a non-latex sheath internally. These barriers are quite effective but, it must be said that they don’t come without their risks.
Condoms can break, silicone lube doesn’t go with latex products, some infections are still possible through skin-on-skin contact around the latex and some may not enjoy the sensation of wearing condoms. That being said, look at it another way and you have a great edging tool on your hands. Some people do want longer sessions, which they can help with. And a huge thing that no one talks about, it can make the clean-up afterwards a lot simpler (sue us for being neat-freaks.)
Sponge me, Daddy
Moving along the board; for $600 (again, we’re not giving out cash prizes) we have a porous item that can act as a tampon while allowing the user to have sex during menstruation. Do we hear, “What is a sponge?”
No, not the ones in the kitchen, although we’d personally love a Scrub Daddy. Yes, you can buy specialised sponges that act as tampons with the added benefit of allowing for sexy-times. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with letting the crimson flag fly but, if you prefer to keep your period to yourself, this is a great option for you. Sponges can also be an alternative for anyone allergic to regular tampons and pads, so keep that in mind vaginal friends.
Dams, Dams, Dams Everywhere
Back to ‘Contraception’ for $800, this barrier is used in the world of oral sex to create a thin physical barrier between the lips, skin and/or body parts. “What are dams?!” Why, dental dams are the official term used by, well, dentists but we’re safely assuming that no one wants to picture a tooth extraction when talking about these lovely strips of latex. A dam's biggest benefit is being generally hygienic while providing protection from STIs. Sex is a personal act and, for many people, having a barrier like this can provide a lot more comfort and confidence when engaging in oral sex. And as we love to preach, comfort is paramount to a good time in the bedroom, so why the hell not use one?!
Make Sure You’re PrEP’d
We have reached the Final Jeopardy round! Now you’re playing for top-tier knowledge. These are prophylactics that are taken to prevent the contraction of HIV and prevent infection after exposure to certain STIs. “What is PrEP and PEP!” Or as some of us like to call them, “my silly sex pill.” As you may have gathered, these acronyms stand for Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis and Post-Exposure Prophylaxis, respectively.
PrEP is commonly used by queer people, sex-workers and anyone who engages in sexual acts that may expose them to HIV. That being said, it truly is a drug that can be used by anyone. HIV is not an infection that only affects people of a certain sexual orientation; infections don’t work like that. It’s also worth noting the side effects. PEP, on the other hand, is a drug that many of us may have used already. There are two kinds, PEP and Doxy-PEP: the former is used for HIV exposure and the latter for prevention of syphilis, chlamydia and gonorrhoea.
And with that we have come to the end of the show! The grand prize? The complete satisfaction of being that partner who is 1000x sexier for knowing a thing or two about barriers.
We’d offer something tangible but this is a blog, you’re not actually on Jeopardy and Alex Trebek’s voice is in your head darling, you should get that checked out.
Until next time.
Guest written by Emmpress (@emmpress_)
