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Will A Condom Break If You Have Sex In A Hot Tub?

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Sex in a hot tub can be super fun, but sex that’s not safe isn’t. You can have a lot more fun if you know that you’re protected from sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancy. Condoms are your best bet for safe sex, but can you use one in the water or will it get damaged?

Question: I’ve been a loyal fan of your YouTube channel for ages now and my girl and I were thinking about having sex in a hot tub. I was wondering if wearing a condom while in the water would cause it to bust or would we encounter any other problems? Thanks for taking time to read my question!

–YouTube Viewer

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ev1HazIkgl8[/youtube]

Water Is Not A Lubricant

Many people think that if you’re having sex in the water that you don’t need lube, however, quite the opposite is true and especially if you’re using a condom. Water isn’t going to provide enough lubrication inside a woman’s vaginal canal, and if she’s too dry and there is too much friction, it can easily be damaged.

Use a thicker, water or silicone based lube when you’re doing it in the tub or when you’re having sex in the shower, lake or pool. You might be tempted to use an oil based lubricant because you know that oil is resistant to water, however, oil based lube is definitely not compatible with any kind of latex condom. You can use oil based lube with a polyurethane condom, but unless you have a latex allergy and can’t wear regular prophylactics, latex is your best bet for the most comfort and the tightest fit.

You don’t have to use a whole lot of lubricant when you’re getting it on where it’s already wet, but a condom isn’t going to do you any good if there’s so much friction that it busts. A little lube goes a long way here!

Chlorine And Heat Can Affect The Latex

Even if you use a good lubricant during sex in the tub, the heat and chlorine in the tub alone can cause the latex to deteriorate. You may want to try different sex positions in the tub that keep your penis mostly out of the water, such as doggy style with her propped up on the ledge of the tub.

If you’re concerned about the chemicals in the tub affecting a condom, try reducing the amount of chlorine additives you put in. Test the pH regularly to make sure that you’re adding enough, but try to get by with as little as possible. You may also want to turn the heat down some – the hotter it is, the more risk you may be taking that the material will become damaged and disintegrate.

Avoid Oils

Oil is another component that causes latex to disintegrate, and surprisingly enough, there are often oils found in the water of a Jacuzzi. This is because people with suntan oils or sunscreen on their skin will get in the tub, and some of it will come off while they’re soaking. Some bubble baths or additives can also contain oils, so be careful of what you put into your tub.

Don’t Put The Condom On While In The Water

If you plan on wearing a condom while you’re having sex in a hot tub, make sure you put it on first, before you get into the water. This is because if you accidentally get liquid inside the rubber while putting it on – which CAN happen no matter how careful you think you’re being – it can bust or slide off when you’re having sex.

Remember That No Method Is Perfect

Safe sex is all about reducing your risk of contracting STD’s or getting pregnant – there’s no true way to completely eliminate your risk without giving up sex entirely. Abstinence is the only true 100% safe “sex.” That said, understand that you’re taking a risk when you’re having sex at all, whether it be in a bed, a shower, the car or a Jacuzzi.

Using condoms during sex regardless of where you do it at is a lot safer than not using one at all. This is true for sex in the Jacuzzi also – even though oils and chlorine in the water may cause the latex to disintegrate or liquid may get in it and cause it to slip off – you’re still a LOT better off if you’re using a condom than if you don’t.

Oral Sex – Do You Need A Condom And Can You Get An STD?

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Oral sex isn’t something that makes you think of STD’s automatically –  you’ve probably heard that the greatest risk for transmitting sexual infections such as HIV, AIDS, chlamydia and syphilis come from anal sex and vaginal intercourse. But can STD’s be transmitted through mouth to genital sex? What do you need to do to protect yourself?

Question: Dear Dan and Jenn, I am still young and recently had the “talk” and my parents told me to navigate to this channel. Do you have any tips for a person new to the sex world? Also, I was still confused about oral sex and didn’t want to ask my parents. Do you still need a condom and can you get a STD?

–YouTube Viewer

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=prT-oMvekBs[/youtube]

Remember That You Can Only Eliminate Risk Through Abstinence

No matter what kind of sex you’re talking about – whether it’s oral sex, vaginal sex, anal sex or even giving your partner a handjob or fingering them – you’re never 100% safe from sexually transmitted diseases. Even if you use spermicide, condoms or the withdrawal method, there is nothing you can do short of abstinence to completely eliminate your risk. If you’re engaging in any kind of sexual activity whatsoever with another person, you are putting yourself at risk of getting STD’s.

That said, there are lots of ways you can safely and easily reduce your risk – and be fairly confident that you’re not going to contract an STD. First of all, being in a monogamous relationship with someone who has been tested for and is free from STD’s is a start. If you have multiple sexual partners, condoms are your best asset as far as safety during sex is concerned.

Yes, Oral Sex Can Transmit STD’s

Generally speaking, the risk for spreading sexually transmitted diseases through mouth to genital sex is much less than the risk of spreading them through anal sex or vaginal intercourse. However, there is still a risk there, because STD’s like AIDS and HIV are found in vaginal fluid, pre-cum and semen. Don’t assume that just because your partner doesn’t “ejaculate” in your mouth that you are safe from STD’s.

If you have a sore or cut on your mouth before giving someone cunnilingus or fellatio, your risk of getting an STD multiplies by quite a bit. Hepatitis C, HIV and AIDS are spread easily through blood contact, even semen or precum to blood – which is the case if you have a cut or sore on or around your mouth.

You may not even know you have a cut or sore in your mouth – many times, people have small lacerations on their gums from brushing their teeth and if your gums bleed when you brush your teeth, you can be pretty certain that you have an “open wound” in your mouth all the time, at least when it comes to talking about the transmission of STD’s.

Your Risk Of Contracting An STD During Oral Sex Varies

There’s no sure way of determining how high your risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease through fellatio or cunnilingus is, because it varies. For example, pre-cum has a lower concentration of virus than semen or blood does, and if a woman infected with the HIV, Hepatitis C or AIDS virus and is on her period, she is much more likely to transmit the disease to her partner during sex.

Because how high the risk is depends on so many different factors, there’s no way to accurately say that you’re going to be safe from getting an STD during fellatio or cunnilingus without a condom.

It’s Not Just AIDS Or HIV That Can Be Spread

While HIV and AIDS are probably the most worrisome of viruses that you can contract from mouth to genital sex, they’re not the only ones. There are lots of different sexually transmitted diseases and infections:

  • Chlamydia
  • Hepatitis C
  • Gonorrhea
  • Syphilis
  • Herpes
  • Pubic Lice
  • Genital Warts
  • HPV
  • Hepatitis B

That’s a pretty long list – and while some of these diseases can be treated with antibiotics, others can’t and some can even contribute to throat and mouth cancers later on in life. Furthermore, be aware of the fact that you may not know someone has an STD – in fact, they may not even know it. They may not be displaying any symptoms at all, so it’s best to be safe and assume that you have a risk of contracting any of these diseases through oral sex at any time.

Using A Condom Or A Dental Dam During Oral Sex Will Greatly Reduce Your Risk

If you want to reduce your risk of getting an STD during fellatio or cunnilingus, using a condom or a dental dam will make it much less likely that you would take anything home that you didn’t want to. Here are some tips on how to make yourself safer when giving (or receiving):

  • Wear a condom. Try flavored condoms or a flavored lube to make things taste better (and they smell great) and definitely avoid condoms that have spermicide on them.
  • For cunnilingus, make sure that you use a dental dam. If you place a dab of lube underneath the dental dam on the clitoris and vulva, it will create real feeling sensations that are just as good – if not better – than unprotected fellatio or cunnilingus.
  • Don’t use oil based lubricant at all. Oil based lubes will break down the latex and make the condom pretty much pointless.
  • Get a fresh condom after anal sex or vaginal sex if you’re going to have mouth to genital sex. You don’t want to be using the same condom for fellatio as you did for vaginal or anal sex. Not only does that make the condom less effective, it’s a great way to spread lots of harmful bacteria.
  • If you don’t have a dental dam on hand for cunnilingus, you can do one of two things. You can use a nice, large square of plastic food wrap, or you can cut a condom lengthwise and spread it out over the vulva. Either way is better and safer than using nothing at all.

What Are The Side Effects Of Oral Birth Control?

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Oral birth control is a very popular form of birth control and is often used alone or with other methods (such as condoms) to prevent unwanted pregnancy. However, oral birth control isn’t for everyone. There are a number of side effects that go along with taking it, ranging from a little weight gain to more serious side effects such as stroke and decreased libido. Here’s what you want to know about oral birth control and its associated side effects.
Question: I was wondering if you could do a video on the side effects of oral birth control. By this, I don’t mean what we normally hear like weight gain and possibility of a stroke (if you smoke while on the pill), but I mean the stranger side effects like loss of sex drive, insomnia, and depression! I know it didn’t even strike me that the pill could cause these things, so I’m betting other people don’t know either. So if you could make a video to help inform woman of some of these strange side effects, I think that would be really great! Thanks!
–YouTube Viewer
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LZWM6KXuDk[/youtube]
Quick Birth Control Facts
  • Oral birth control is 99.9% effective against pregnancy when used correctly – that means, taking it at about the same time every single day.
  • It does not prevent STD’s of any kind, including HIV, AIDS, chlamydia, herpes, etc.
  • Antibiotics and other medicines will reduce the effectiveness of birth control.
  • Women on birth control should not smoke due to increase in rare but very serious side effects.

Common Birth Control Side Effects

There are many side effects that are caused by oral birth control, ranging from very mild side effects to more serious ones. Some women who take birth control won’t experience any side effects at all, others may experience some side effects that aren’t bothersome, and others may experience very serious and uncomfortable side effects that may mean they need to discontinue using the medication.

  • Nausea
  • Weight gain
  • Sore or swollen breasts
  • Spotting between periods or lighter periods
  • Mood changes
  • Decreased sexual libido

More Serious Birth Control Related Side Effects

While most of the side effects that are related to birth control aren’t serious, some of them are and require immediate medical attention. These side effects are more rare, but they can happen. Every woman who takes birth control should be aware of the more rare but serious side effects of the medication so they can contact their doctor as soon as possible if they experience any of these more serious side effects.

  • Abdominal pain
  • Chest pain
  • Visual disturbances such as blurred vision or spots or flashes in your vision
  • Mild headaches or severe migraines
  • Swelling and aching in the legs and thighs

Other Forms Of Hormonal Birth Control

You may think that the “pill” is the only form of birth control that has side effects, but quite the opposite is true. Many popular forms of birth control contain the very same mix of hormones that the pill does! Other forms of hormonal birth control can be even stronger than some pills and can produce similar but stronger side effects than the those associated with the pill.

  • The Ortho Evra patch
  • The Nuva ring
  • Mirena – the hormonal IUD (intra-uterine device)
  • Depo-Provera injection and other birth control injections
  • Hormonal implants
  • Plan B – the “morning after” pill

Barrier Methods

While oral birth control is among the most popular ways to practice safe sex, it is not the only way. Oral birth control doesn’t protect against sexually transmitted diseases, but some other methods of safe sex (called “barrier” methods) do.

  • Condoms – protects against STD’s
  • Female condoms – protects against STD’s
  • Copper IUD
  • Diaphragm
  • Cervical Cap
  • Spermicidal sponge, foam, cream or film

Talk To Your Doctor To Find Out If Birth Control Is Right For You

Always talk to your doctor to find out whether or not oral birth control or other forms of birth control is right for you. Your doctor can help explain to you why you should or should not take birth control, and will tell you how to use it correctly so it is most effective. Some women should not take birth control at all, because the risk of side effects are too great. Your doctor will look at your entire health history to determine whether or not hormonal birth control is the right choice for your health and lifestyle.

Who should not take birth control:

  • Women over 35
  • Women with a history of blood clots
  • Women with a history of heart or liver disease
  • Women with a history of breast or uterine cancer
  • Women who have experienced undesirable side effects from birth control previously

What To Keep In Mind – And In Your Purse – If You’re Single

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Safe sex is the best kind of sex, especially if you’re single. Many single women aren’t ready to get pregnant and have a baby, and nobody wants to contract a sexually transmitted disease or infection like chlamydia or HIV and AIDS. If safety is on your checklist for great sex, here are some things you may want to keep in your purse in case you get caught in an an impromptu situation and want the freedom to have safe sex if you’d like to.

Condoms

Keeping condoms in your purse may seem like a no-brainer, but many women end up getting caught in impromptu sex situations unprepared. Condoms protect against pregnancy and most STD’s. Although condoms aren’t foolproof, they’re the best sex accessory if you want to have fun and safe sex without having to worry about getting pregnant when you’re not ready or contracting a sexually transmitted disease or infection that is at best inconvenient and at worst life threatening. You may also want to keep flavored condoms in your purse in the event of oral sex. When keeping condoms in your purse, don’t throw them in there unless they’re in a protective sleeve or case first. Putting condoms in your purse loose can cause the wrapper or condom to get holes in it when all of the stuff in your purse bounces around during daily use. Guys shouldn’t put condoms in their wallet, because this can cause condoms to break down faster due to temperature issues. Condoms should be kept clean and dry and at room temperature to stay effective. Always inspect the wrapper first to check for holes or damage, and make sure you check the expiration date if you’ve had it for awhile.

Spermicide

Some couples don’t like using spermicide for pregnancy protection, but it can be an excellent option if you’re with an STD free partner and don’t want to use condoms, but still want protection from unplanned and unwanted pregnancy. Spermicide is also a great option for women or couples who want another layer of protection in addition to condoms or birth control – or both. Spermicides come in many different forms, some that are more convenient than others. Contraceptive foam is the least expensive, but may burn or cause discomfort for you or your sex partner. Suppositories are good options because they are small and easy to carry, but your partner will most likely know that you’ve used spermicide. The newest type of spermicide on the market is a contraceptive film. It is a thin, clear square that looks like plastic and is folded up and placed in the vagina behind the cervix. It takes about ten to fifteen minutes, but the film will “melt” and create a gel-like barrier of spermicide in front of the cervix. They can be kept in a purse or wallet and can be used discreetly without your partner knowing you’ve used it.

Birth Control

If you’d like to take pregnancy protection into your own hands, consider going on birth control if you’re not already on it. Talk to your doctor about the right kind of birth control for you and how to take it so it is most effective against unplanned pregnancies. Birth control doesn’t protect against STD’s, so if you’re with a new partner, make sure you’re using a condom as well. Plan-B, or emergency contraception, is a good thing to keep on hand as well, in case a condom breaks or you miss too many birth control pills.

Dental Dam

A dental dam is a small square of latex or plastic that is laid over the vagina during cunnilingus to prevent the transmission of sexually transmitted diseases. Contrary to popular belief, there are many STD’s that can be transmitted through oral sex on a woman including chlamydia and yeast infections. Keeping a dental dam in your purse will ensure that you’ve got it if you need it – for example, you’d like a new partner to perform oral sex on you but he won’t do so without the necessary safe sex tools. Many women believe that using a dental dam is less pleasurable than feeling the tongue itself, but you can closely mimic this feeling by putting a dab of lube underneath the dental dam, in between the latex and the clitoris. This allows the dental dam to slide around on the vagina, much like a tongue or mouth would. Many dental dams come in flavors, making it much much more pleasurable for the partner giving the oral sex.

The Skinny On Female Condoms

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Getting a guy to wear a condom isn’t always easy. Some guys don’t like the feel of condoms, or don’t want to bother buying them. He might not be concerned with safe sex, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be concerned about safe sex either? No way! Ladies can protect themselves by using female condoms and be in control of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. But what exactly are female condoms and how do you use them? Here’s how female condoms are different from your traditional male condom and how to max out your pregnancy and STD prevention when using them.

What Are Female Condoms?

Female condoms, like their namesake, are condoms that are designed to fit inside the vagina and be used in lieu of a male condom. They consist of a silicone or plastic flexible ring at one end (this is the end designed to go first into the vagina) with a larger ring at the other end of a hollow latex or plastic “tube.” The smaller ring is folded and inserted into the vagina, where it will “pop” open and rest against the cervix, while the larger ring is made to stay outside the vagina and cover the outer opening of the vagina and labia. Some models of female condoms are larger on the outside and will cover the entire vulva including the clitoris, which provides better protection against some sexually transmitted diseases. The vaginal walls are then protected by the “tube” of latex, because the penis will only come into contact with the female condom and not the vagina at all. A man’s sperm will remain inside the female condom and after sex, the condom can be removed easily without spilling the semen.

What Are The Benefits Of Using A Female Condom?

The benefits of using a female condom are simple but powerful. Using a female condom allows a woman to be in complete control of preventing pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Instead of relying on a man to purchase a box of condoms, bring the condoms with him and put them on before sex, a woman can rely on and trust herself to make sure she is protected. In fact, a female condom can even be inserted and worn well before sex even starts, so a woman who chooses to use them can go into sex already protected, making it easier for her to say, “no glove, no love.” Female condoms also help prevent more STD’s than their male counterparts. Since the outer ring covers some or all of the vulva with the latex, it can help prevent the spread of some STD’s like genital warts, genital herpes and pubic lice or crabs.

Are There Disadvantages To Using A Female Condom?

A female condom does not feel as natural as a traditional male condom. There is much more to it and instead of fitting the vaginal wall snugly, it can get a little bunched up in there. This is because a woman’s vaginal canal is flat until something is inserted into it to expand it. Since the “tube” portion of the female condom is hollow, it too will collapse onto itself when there is nothing else in the vagina. During sex, a man’s penis will expand both the vaginal canal and the female condom, but many men and women who have used female condoms report that it still feels like the plastic or latex is bunched up in the vagina. Other disadvantages of a female condom include difficult inserting and removing them from the vagina as well as being thicker than traditional male condoms and blocking more of the pleasurable sensations of friction during sex.

How To Make A Female Condom More Effective

While there is no way to make a female condom more effective at preventing the spread of sexually transmitted diseases, however, by adding spermicide to the inside of a female condom, you can make it more effective at preventing pregnancy. A lot of women who are sensitive to spermicides enjoy using them with female condoms, because the spermicide goes inside the “tube” and never comes into contact with the vagina. Simply squirt a half dollar sized amount of spermicide into the female condom, as close to the smallest ring (the one that will go inside your vagina) as possible. You can do this before inserting the condom inside your vagina, or after. Just remember to also use a good water based lube and plenty of it when using a female condom, whether you use spermicide or not. Lube can help reduce the amount of friction created by the condom and make it feel more like natural sex.