September 17, 2024

Contraception Explored - The Secret to a Happier, Healthier Vagina

Condoms – a vagina’s best friend

MyBliss was founded by Mo Carrier after the realisation that the condom industry needed to evolve to consider women’s needs, too. For too long, women have had to buy garish, bright, male-focused condoms, and that’s where MyBliss came in – a female owned start-up dedicated to bringing women alternative products that better protect and care for their bodies.

Here, Mo writes about the benefits of condoms for vaginal health…

When we talk about condoms, most people think about avoiding pregnancy or preventing STIs. But guess what? Condoms do a lot more than that! For women, using condoms regularly can help protect against some common infections like urinary tract infections (UTIs), bacterial vaginosis (BV), and yeast infections. These infections might not be STIs, but they can still be influenced by what happens during sex. Today, we're diving into how condoms can be your vagina's secret weapon for staying healthy and happy.

Keep UTIs at Bay with Condoms

UTIs are super common, especially for women, and sex is a major culprit. Did you know that nearly 80% of premenopausal women with a UTI had sex within the last 24 hours? Yep, that's right! Any time you’re getting busy, you’re at risk of a UTI. When you have sex, bacteria from the genital area can sneak into your urethra, leading to an infection. If you're using a diaphragm, that risk goes up even more because it can stop your bladder from fully emptying, giving bacteria a chance to multiply. But there's good news! Condoms can help by blocking the direct transfer of bacteria, making them a simple and effective way to protect yourself from UTIs [1].

BV Be Gone: How Condoms Can Help

BV, or bacterial vaginosis, is another infection that loves to crash the party, especially if you’re sexually active. BV can spread through sexual contact, and the risk goes up if you’re not using condoms correctly or consistently, or if you’re with a new partner. In fact, studies show that 31% of women develop BV over the course of a year. The risk is even higher if your partner isn’t circumcised because bacteria can hang out under the foreskin and cause trouble [2].

Researchers have also found that the bacteria on a man’s penis can actually predict if his partner will develop BV. Dr. Supriya Mehta, an expert in this field, explains that bacteria linked to BV have been found on the penis, in semen, and even in men’s urine. The exchange of bacteria during sex is likely a two-way street, which is why using condoms is such a smart move. By cutting down on the exchange of bacteria, condoms help keep your vaginal environment healthy and BV-free [3].

Thrush and Condoms: A Winning Combo

Yeast infections, or thrush, are another common issue for women. While sex doesn’t directly cause yeast infections, certain sexual activities can make you more likely to get one. Things like inserting a penis, toy, or even a finger can introduce new bacteria or throw off the natural balance in your vagina, leading to a yeast overgrowth. While condoms might not prevent yeast infections outright, they can reduce the risk of messing with your vaginal balance, offering a bit of extra protection against thrush [4].

The Final Word: Condoms Are Key to Vaginal Health

So, while condoms are great for preventing pregnancy and STIs, their benefits go way beyond that. They’re a crucial tool in keeping your vagina healthy, protecting you from infections like UTIs, BV, and yeast infections. And if you’re picky about what goes near your lady parts (as you should be!), MyBliss condoms are a fantastic choice. They’re made with vulva- and vagina-safe ingredients, so you know your health is in good hands. Even the luxury brand Coco de Mer gives MyBliss condoms their seal of approval, so you know they’re top-notch. Whether you're avoiding infections or just putting your health first, using condoms consistently and correctly is a must for every woman.

You can shop MyBliss condoms here: https://my-bliss.co.uk/

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