Day: March 5, 2021

How Depression Affects SexHow Depression Affects Sex

March 5, 2021| admin| 0 Comment | 1:28 pm

Depression can have a profound impact on sexual relationships. It can hamper our ability to feel emotionally secure with our partner, and it can rob us of our desire for and enjoyment of sexual connection.

Some of the most common problems that depression can cause:

Lack of pleasure – Depressed people don’t find pleasure in things they used to, including engaging in a sexual relationship that they previously really enjoyed.

Increased emotional sensitivity – When things go wrong in a sexual relationship, as they are bound to do from time to time, depressed people may misinterpret these temporary changes as due to their own inadequacies which often leads them to avoid sex further.

Low energy – Fatigue can be a major symptom robbing them of sexual energy. Depression may result in too little or too much sleep, and even a great deal of rest doesn’t revive vitality to the person. Desire is often compromised by tiredness and sexual functioning too can decline. The energy to pleasure a partner may feel impossible to muster.

Difficulty with bonding – People living with depression often struggle to feel worthy of love. This can lead their partners to feel frustrated that they can’t break through with their efforts to love and their invitations into the enlivening sexual relationship.

If you live with depression, there are some steps you can take to improve your sex life:

Consider a medication change – Ironically, the medication that is most often prescribed to alleviate depression is a class of drugs that often severely impact sex. For both genders, these drugs, called selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), can reduce sexual desire and inhibit orgasm. For men, an SSRI may also impact their erections. No one should go off medication without a doctor’s supervision, if you’re on an SSRI and it’s affecting your sex life, you may want to consult a psychiatrist to see if other drugs are possible.

Work on the depression itself – To help understand and heal the roots of your depression, it may be helpful to work with a psychotherapist. Doing psychological work can help stabilize your mood and may even help you get off medication. Therapy organizes the complex feelings of depression, allowing a person to mentally understand there are concrete action steps that will help. The psychotherapist’s empathy and understanding is internalized as comfort, which lays a new foundation for mood stability. And the steadfast relational experience in therapy helps a person form more secure attachments in the rest of their relationships.

Visit a sex therapist with your partner – Going to sex therapy with your partner may alleviate misunderstandings about the sexual process and increase a person’s confidence about their technique. Sex therapists know sex is a physical process that enhances a person’s attachment to their partner and can suggests ways to increase the sexual intimacy for relationship. Most often, sex therapists help couples resolve the power struggle between them that is played out on the sexual realm. This resolution increases security in the partnership eliminating a frequent contributing source of depression.

How Long Do Condoms Last?How Long Do Condoms Last?

March 5, 2021| admin| 0 Comment | 1:24 pm

When you’re in the middle of an exciting sexual encounter with a loved one, the last thing that crosses your mind as you look for a condom is to check the expiry date – you’re probably looking to get the condom on as quickly as possible so you don’t spoil the mood.

But condom expiration is a very real thing, use a condom that is out of date, and you could find that the effectiveness of the condom is significantly reduced, or worse, voided completely.

So, why do condoms expire? Should you check the expiry date every time you use one? If you’ve got questions about condom expiry dates, then we’re here to help. Join us as we break down how long condoms last and how you can make sure you never find yourself without one that is in date!

Can condoms expire?
To put it plainly, yes, condoms can expire. Because of this, condoms always have an expiry date on the back of each individual packet, regardless of whether they were bought as a single or as part of a larger pack. If a condom has expired, it may be at greater risk of splitting, tearing, or puncturing during sex.

Why do condoms expire?
So, why do condoms expire? It’s not simply the case that the condom goes off like a piece of fruit. It’s actually to do with a complex process that results in the material of the condom breaking down, losing its effectiveness over time. Essentially, the more resilient the material used in the production of the condom, the longer it will last.

Aside from the material, how long a condom will last is also contingent on proper storage as even direct sunlight can have an effect on the condom. It is therefore important to keep your condoms stored in a dry place, and you should only open the individual condom packs before you use them and no sooner.

How long do condoms last?
According to Dr Elizabeth Bosky form verywellhealth, condoms are given an expiry date based on the time when they were produced, quality tested and packaged. Most condoms have a shelf life of anything between 1 to 5 years, however, how long a condom lasts really depends on the material the condom is made from.

Latex condoms, for example, can have a shelf life of up to 5 years, again dependent on the safe storage of the condom. Comparatively, non-latex condoms made of polyisoprene (a type of artificial rubber) usually only have a shelf life of up to 3 years.

Another factor that can affect the expiry date of the condom is whether the condom contains spermicide or other chemicals. Chemicals such as spermicide can damage the integrity of the condom, significantly reducing its lifespan.

Regardless of what the condom is made from, all individual condoms packets should have an expiry date on, so all you need to worry about is checking this date before use. If the condom is in date, go ahead and use it. If the condom is out of date or no date is visible on the pack, then throw it away and find a new one.

Can you use out of date condoms?
We have eluded to this question already, however it’s something we feel we should really reiterate to ensure you don’t end up with any unplanned surprises following your night of passion. The answer to the question is fairly simple; no, you can’t use out of date condoms. Using out of date condoms would mean the quality guarantee and effectiveness of the condom is no longer valid.

So, how can you combat condom expiry dates? Sure, with the typical expiry date being anything from 1 to 5 years, you may feel you have all the time in the world to use the condoms you currently have, but it never hurts to keep your supply topped up and fresh. Why not take the opportunity to try something new and make your arsenal of condoms all the more interesting?

Why not try adding some of our Intense Ribbed & Dotted condoms to your collection during your next top-up? Sure, as always, you’ll still have to check the condom expiry before you use, but the intense and stimulating ribs and dots will make it more than worth the wait.

Still concerned about condom expiry dates and worried that you may get caught short? To really stay on top of things, why not try reviewing all your condoms every time you add some to your night-time naughty draw? Sure, it may sound a little anal, but it will give you peace of mind that you can reach in and pull out an in-date condom whenever the mood the takes you.

Got more questions about condoms or condom usage? Head over to our Explore Sex blog and check out our guide to putting on a condom properly. Our guide provides you with 5 simple steps to ensure that your condom usage is as safe as it possibly can be.

Easing Painful Sex Before Your PeriodEasing Painful Sex Before Your Period

March 5, 2021| admin| 0 Comment | 1:21 pm

Sex can feel different and even uncomfortable shortly before your period arrives. There can be a variety of causes, from lack of moisture down there to irritation of your urinary tracti, which can be more sensitive to infection at this time of the month. When you take a look at the list of pre-period troubles, it’s easy to see why sex might be off menu for you. And even if you’re still keen to get it on, it’s not hard to imagine why it might take a little more effort getting yourself nice and comfortable.

Of course, you should never have to put up with painful sex, regardless of the time of month. If you’re finding that sex is consistently painful it’s really important to visit your doctor as soon as possible, so they can look at the possible causes.

Is the pain nearly always in the vagina?

Not at all. You may experience the pain anywhere around your genital area, inside and out. Moving away from your vagina, vulva and everything in between, how other parts of your body feel will play an important role in how you feel during sex. That’s to say, the more that your entire body is comfortable and at ease, the less likely you are to experience discomfort during sex.

If, for example, you’re more prone to headaches in the week before your period starts, then this is likely to have a knock-on effect on your ability to relax and enjoy the ride with your partner during sex. Managing any discomfort, wherever that may be, will be key to having a good time.

What can you do about vaginal dryness?

Every woman will find a change in vaginal moisture at different stages in her cycle. If you’re drier on certain days, but still want sex, don’t let lack of moisture rain on your parade. There are many things you can do to get your juices flowing. From taking more time at the foreplay stage, or masturbating before you invite your partner to join in, find the ways that help you to feel more relaxed, and in turn, more turned on. Oh, and did we mention the benefits of lube?

Can lube really help with painful sex before your period?

Yes! Lube is a handy little addition to your bedroom toolkit, no matter the day of your cycle. In fact, if you like sex during your period but your flow is light, lube can instantly help to top up your natural juices. Durex Naturals Lube is a great choice for use before, during and after your period. It’s gentle enough for use everywhere, so you (and your partner) can go with the flow, and not be held back by any discomfort caused by lack of moisture.

How can keeping an eye on your cycle help?

If you find that sex is more painful before your period, then understanding the pattern of your menstrual cycle can help you to prepare for the easing of any discomfort. On the days you’re typically more sensitive to pain, you’ll know to be extra kind and gentle to yourself.

How can talking help you?

Every woman has a cycle, and periods are a shared experience. If you’ve ever experienced pain during sex at any stage of your cycle, it can be really comforting to talk with good friends. They may be able to help you look at possible reasons for this, and have some pearls of wisdom to share around things that have helped them. However, if you have persistent symptoms you are worrying about, it’s best to speak with your doctor.

Also, let your partner know when sex feels less comfortable than it should. If you are keen on having sex, but are worried that it’ll hurt, tell your partner this. Tell them where the areas of discomfort are, and guide them in what feels good (and what doesn’t). Any partner who values a mutually good experience will take the time and patience to ensure sex is as comfortable as it can be, whatever the time of month.