Does age have any bearing on condom use?

[Chucat]

Well of course there are going to be skeptics out there who will never trust anything the government tells them, but according to the Center For Disease Control (CDC):

Male Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

latex condoms are effective at curbing sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV)...however nothing, short of complete abstinance from sexual intercourse, is 100% effective against STD transmission. I would think that being a swing type of person, one would almost be compelled to wear a condom (or ask there partner to wear one) as a safety precaution (and they're really not that bad) or to get tested for STDs and certified after each encounter.

Perhaps, maybe to go one step further:

Condom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an article assembled by our peers, that would in similar fashion represent what the CDC has to offer. This little bit of research took all of 5 minutes to find and "might not" replace all of the years of knowledge and experience that some of our peers in the swing lifestyle have to offer, but at least it's better than going along in blind denial. I also think that even presented with "the facts" some folks are still going to ride 'em bareback. A personal choice that will withstand any discussion on this topic.

[graygo98]

The age issue is an interesting one. As a more or less wild-ass generalization, it seems to be part of an ever-increasing (and often illusory) obsession with total safety. (I live in Ontario. We ban something about every couple of weeks.) People that were born back when you could actually open a bottle of aspirin don't always buy into this, or at least can be a bit more skeptical.

They can also remember those glorious years between the invention of the pill and the wear-a-helmet-to-ride-a-tricycle era. Lots of "no glove" love and everyone walked away. What's changed? Obviously AIDS, but.... is this a real risk if you don't do unprotected anal sex or share needles? In North America the data would seem to say, "No, not really", IMHO.

All to say, I'm with Good Times on this.

[Tracey2]

I actually made a mistake when answering the poll...sorry. I answered always condoms for 21-30 and really we're always condoms for 31-40.

We are quite new, but condoms during intercourse is an important rule for us. We wouldn't use them for oral and in fact probably wouldn't know how to react if a couple we were with requested it.

We've only been with a couple of couples and maybe we would consider not using them in the future with a couple that we felt very, very comfortable with.

[good times]

Originally Posted by Chucat

Well of course there are going to be skeptics out there who will never trust anything the government tells them, but according to the Center For Disease Control (CDC):

Male Latex Condoms and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

I don't think it is so much that we don't trust what the CDC says, I think it is more the fact that a lot of folks realize that the CDC always makes the currently politically correct recommendations, whether they are based on legitimate research or not, usually not.

Originally Posted by Chucat

latex condoms are effective at curbing sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV)...however nothing, short of complete abstinance from sexual intercourse, is 100% effective against STD transmission

Effectiveness varies though, depending on what you are trying to prevent. For the types of std's we are likely to encounter in swinging, especially if you limit it to the incurable ones, condoms effectiveness at preventing their transmission is so low as to be immeasurable according to the majority of legitimate studies.

Originally Posted by Chucat

Perhaps, maybe to go one step further:

Condom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an article assembled by our peers, that would in similar fashion represent what the CDC has to offer. This little bit of research took all of 5 minutes to find and "might not" replace all of the years of knowledge and experience that some of our peers in the swing lifestyle have to offer, but at least it's better than going along in blind denial.

Is it really better? When you read this article, did you follow up by reading the studies referenced? If you had you would find that it is an article following politically correct lines, influenced heavily by people and organizations with an agenda.

For example, to support the claim that condoms help prevent the transmission of HPV in women, they referenced a study that consisted of following 82 female college students for eight months. Not a rigorous study by most experts opinions. In the referenced studies defense, in their report the researchers did reference six of the many studies that have proven conclusively that condoms were totally ineffective at preventing the transmission of HPV. Funny that all of these condom advocates will single out as a reference the only study to show condoms as effective at preventing the spread of HPV. Same story with herpes, the vast majority of legitimate studies have shown that condoms are ineffective or useless at preventing the spread of the virus.

This is important because HPV and HSV are by far the most likely std's a swinger might encounter, closely followed by some of the easily cured genital infections. funny thing about those infections, some of them are actually aggravated by condom use.

Originally Posted by Chucat

I also think that even presented with "the facts" some folks are still going to ride 'em bareback. A personal choice that will withstand any discussion on this topic.

I agree, but as I think I have at least tried to show, "the facts" aren't always as factual as you would think.

As I have said many times before here, the fact that so many folks who insist on condoms are doing so in the mistaken belief that they are protecting themselves far more than they actually are, scares me much more than folks who choose not to use them for any reason. At least most folks who choose not to use condoms realize they are taking a risk, unlike those who I have met that think that as soon as they slap that condom on they are protected. The "fact" is, legitimate research just does not support that assumption or belief.

The bottom line is, if you feel that a 1-5% reduction in risk (the maximum percentage usually given by the few legitimate researchers willing to make an estimate) makes condoms worthwhile, then by all means use them. On the other hand, if you are expecting much more effectiveness out of using condoms than that, you are taking risks based on a false sense of security.

[tribbles]

Anyone who doesn't know it's a risk with or without a condom needs to read more.....

I suspect that for some, as we age, we see others our age, with other diseases that they didn't even get to have any fun in getting....

For me, it makes std's a lot less scary.

Breast cancer vs any std other than HIV.....what do YOU pick?

[Doug19482000]

We are in that older catagory. It is our conclusion that most guys have trouble using a condom. Putting a condom on will make the proudest erections wilt a little. Anything less a you just can't get ,or keep the dam thing on. Now we have noticed that most of the post say "don't like usingthem or WE prefer not. My question is can a woman tell if I have a condom on once I have entered her. Only one women has said to me that she can tell a difference. I can't figure out how she can. Can you tell us how

[JustAskJulie]

Originally Posted by Doug19482000

We are in that older catagory. It is our conclusion that most guys have trouble using a condom. Putting a condom on will make the proudest erections wilt a little. Anything less a you just can't get ,or keep the dam thing on. Now we have noticed that most of the post say "don't like usingthem or WE prefer not. My question is can a woman tell if I have a condom on once I have entered her. Only one women has said to me that she can tell a difference. I can't figure out how she can. Can you tell us how

It's the tip and wetness on the tip, combined with the overall lubrication of the condom itself. I have always liked that feeling, it's like a little something extra (that little tip that sticks off the top to catch the cum). I'm weird

[AdamInEve]

Ok, With 50 people checking in I have compiled some numbers but I understand that with only 50 votes it is anything but scientific. I think you can see an interesting trend forming although it would always be nice to get more votes to reflect the data more accurately and as we do I will refigure the numbers.

The first thing I have noticed which seem to substantiate my hypothesis is that at least in this forum we have a more older group checking in.

Total Votes by age:
21-30 6 votes
31-40 13 votes
41-up 31 votes

Also substantiating my hypothesis is that it seems the older the age the more willing people are to not use condoms at least occasionally. Although the 21-30 and 31-40 age brackets are very close it seems the 41 and up group are far more willing to go condomless.

21-30 6 votes
Always use condoms 66.6%
Never or occasionally 33.3%

31-40 13 votes
Always use condoms 69.25%
Never or occasionally 30.75%

41-up 31 votes
Always use condoms 38.75%
Never or occasionally 61.25%

Lets hope for more votes so we can get a more accurate reflection of the data and I will keep it updated.

[rpu3]

I'm not for or against condoms as I think it's a personal choice based on one's own risk and tolerance limits.

Personally, I'm in the camp that believes people say they use condoms because it is the politically correct thing to say, but actions speak otherwise with 85% of the population.

This is why typically I'm actually happy to hear someone like GoodTimes who out and out says they prefer NOT to use them. At least it's honest and honest, unlike the camp that says publicly they use 'em every time, but behind closed doors is a far different matter. I'd prefer if people were just more honest about their actual practices, instead of just spouting the party line on profiles or when you meet.

I'm in the middle age group, and my choice is always use condoms. First, it is a back up for birth control. Second, I've been burned once on a partner's alleged selectivity and condom usage and nondisclosure of subsequent changes in said selectivity and usage. Once was more than enough - fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me. Now I'm not going to waste time ascertaining selectivity and condom usage when it's just far easier to just ask for 'em.

Maybe that opinion will change as I age. I am interested to see if there's an age correlation in this little poll. Intellectually, I agree with GT's position; however, my gut still wants that one barrier, however ineffective it may ultimately be shown to be.

[Chucat]

I do now realize that I probably came-off as a know it all in my previous posts on this thread. I am not...not even close. As a disclaimer...I did no more than scan the references in my last post for a means to positively support my argument that condom use is effective against STD transmission. I did not research the authors, their associations, nor the materials they used to come to their conclusion. With that being said here's a few more:

Basic Facts About Condoms and Their Use in Preventing HIV Infection and Other STDs - The Body

Condom Effectiveness Studies

Are condoms the answer to rising rates of non-HIV sexually transmitted infections? Yes -- Steiner and Cates 336 (7637): 184 -- BMJ

Condom Brochure, FDA OSHI HIV STDs

Effectiveness of the male latex condom: combined results for three popular condom brands used as controls in randomized clinical trials.

Study Looks at Condoms, Wart Virus Transmission - The Body PRO

Male condoms

NEJM -- Condom Use and the Risk of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection in Young Women

I really have spent more time on this fact finding mission than I had intended. I know some folks have made much more an effort to find facts to support their own arguments. I never meant to make light of that effort or the research nor would I ever question the expertise that was a direct result of that research. I do however find it difficult to believe that the millions of people worldwide who depend on condoms for many reasons, would have their health and safety compromised for the sake of a "political agenda" and I still think people are going to do whatever they want to do regardless of what data they have available to them or where it did or did not come from.

For the record...we voted 40+ condoms always. As a couple we prefer to use condoms for intercourse. We would rather not and there have been a couple of occassions where we felt comfortable enough with our partners that we went without, but for us that will be a rarity. We feel that in showing our partners that we care for them as well as caring for ourselves, we're also saying something better than "Aw, What the hell...you're gonna die anyway"!

[Malachista]

When I was a kid there was an add on TV, about a comic guy who had a new girlfriend.
His human friend showed him how to put a condom an a banana, telling him that with new lovers you should always use them until you know that they love you exclusively.

I liked that add
My family was not happy about it
So basicly TV teached me to always use them at a time I did not even know for what exactly you use them....


There also was a recent report abot HIV in Germany, saying that the group with the highest infection rates currently are hetrosexuals in the 55-75 age bracket (as they are often the ones who get together with new people after long relationships and did never
have needed to think about protection before and refuse to do so now)

[Mr.Essex]

I voted 21-30(always uses condoms). In my case, however, I do it mainly for the birth control benefit. I don't indulge in that many "risky" sexual behaviors (rimjobs, fisting, razorplay) to put myself in a high-risk bracket, but I'm not ready to be a father or to deal with "is he or isn't he" baby-daddy drama, especially if the mother to be is already married to someone else. Even if she's on the pill, I still wrap it up and pray for success.

[fun4Ds]

I voted, no explanation required

[Brian and Jo]

We are both in our sixties. When we are with our regular group of couples with whom we have been swinging for many years we never use condoms. But if we meet a new couple for example when we are on vacation we always use condoms for intercourse.

[MikeandDawn]

Dawn and I have a definite "no condom" rule for our partners. But, some explanation is in order. First, we have never, and will never do the party scene. We only engage in intimate acts with select males with whom we wish to pursue a somewhat long-term play relationship. This includes a "getting to know you" period of time where we discuss all things, both sexually and otherwise, to get a feel if this person is worthy of our trust. Then we'll procede to some "soft swap" type activities. We have taken precautions against pregnancy, and since AIDS/HIV is probably the biggest fear of many people, we insist that a potential playmate who is willing to commit to only playing with Dawn alone or with us together to get a cheap $50K term life insurance policy from our agent, which includes a HIV test. Once they provide us with the declarations page of the policy, we'll drop the kissing and oral sex for full blown intercourse, complete with creampies. Dawn won't have it any other way, as she gets off SO much on feeling a guy squirt inside her (as do I watching it:-)). I realize we are definitely not the norm, but that's how we roll.