Articles

Condom Shopping Guide

4 parts: 

  • Part 1 = Entering the “Forbidden” Zone
    – Walkthrough of entering the store and locating condoms
  • Part 2 = Products
    – Description of various condoms one can expect to find
  • Part 3 = Smarten Up
    – Purchasing
  • Part 4 = Facts
    – Internal (Female) condoms, Dental Dams, and social justice

Intention setting: Please be mindful of the intent of this article and the systemic factors that affect our health. Each individual may differ in their condom shopping experience, and there is not a one size fits all protocol for it. However, it is important to make accurate and safe health info as accessible as possible, so please take care in how you go about this information. 

Part 1: Entering the “Forbidden” Zone  

Aisle: When you enter the store, head to the health section! Condoms are usually in the family planning, pharmacy, pregnancy, menstrual, and overall health aisles.
Pro-tip: it helps you feel better, grab a hand-basket or cart with several other items to help conceal your purchase 😊 

Products: Once you find the correct aisles, you should see a variety of sexual and reproductive health products like condoms, lube, spermicide, Plan B, pregnancy tests, etc. Be aware that some of these sexual and reproductive health items may be locked up! 

Pause & Breathe: Take your time here and get familiar with what you see so you’ll know what is available and to make future visits easier and quicker! 

Also: There are many places to get condoms! Additionally, some health clinics and pharmacies may provide condoms for free so always check first to see the best way for you to access protection. 

Part 2: Products  

Condom Types (3 main types):  

  • External (male) condoms
  • Internal (female) condoms
  • Dental Dams

Common Condom Brands:  

  • Trojan (external condoms)
  • SKYN (external condoms)
  • Durex (external condoms)
  • Lifestyle (external condoms)
  • FC2 (internal condoms)
  • Crosstex (dental dams)
  • Etc.

Common External Condoms: condoms containing lube, condoms containing spermicide, ribbed condoms, natural condoms, fitted condoms, etc. 

There’s a variety of condoms, even some that come in different flavors or with products and textures to elicit sensation! However, some of these may be limited to select stores and sex shops, which are only accessible for those ages 18+  

Additionally, at general stores you’ll find packs of condoms rather than individual sets. As a general rule, it’s always a good idea to have more than one for practice or in case of something going wrong. 

Internal Condoms: It’s important to know that internal condoms are available, however these are not as widely accessible as external condoms… 

For now, please be aware of the significance of internal condoms and reliable sources to access this item – especially budget friendly ones! Some insurance covers the cost of internal condoms and many clinics offer a variety of free condoms, so always check first to see the best way for you to access protection. 

Dental Dams: Just like internal condoms, dental dams may be limited in some situations too, so following a similar approach may be helpful. Additionally, you can DIY a dental dam! This is quick & easy to do, with a pair of clean scissors, a new, unused external condom (again, recommend having more than one just in case), and freshly washed hands – check out Auntie ‘Manda’s video on We R Native: https://www.wernative.org/ask-auntie-questions/how-do-you-make-a-dental-dam-using-a-condom   

Part 3: Smarten Up 

Housekeeping Items:   

  • Anyone can buy condoms/no ID required (except if you are going to a sex shop, in which you must be 18+ and can be expected to show proof)
  • Be aware that at some stores, their sexual & reproductive health products may be locked up, so you may have to ask a store worker for help accessing these items.
  • If you do, you may feel emotional about the experience, whether it’s positive, negative, or even neutral/uneventful. That’s ok!
  • Whatever happens, try your best to not feel rushed or embarrassed when asking for help and while the helper waits for you to pick out what you want.
  • Remember that this is an empowering experience as you are taking your (and others) health seriously, and as a result should be free from stigma, judgement, and shame.

 Decision-making Tips: 

1. Make sure the product is what you want or need! Asking yourself these questions may help the decision-making process:
A.  Is it the right fit?

B.  Flavor?
C.  Texture?
D.  Protection?

Pro-tip: Consider buying different types and more than one, to get an idea of your preferences. Besides, trying something new might add to the fun! 

2. Check the expiration date. No matter what.

3. Once you picked out what you want and the product(s) are not expired, it’s time to check out! 

Pro-tip: Going through self-checkout can help make the process more private 😊   

When it comes to buying condoms, whether at a store or asking a healthcare professional for some, the experience may not always be comfortable. As we work towards a better, safer, and healthier future free from colonial stigma and shame, know that it starts with you and you making those decisions about yourself and health. Good job on being a responsible and caring individual ❤️ 

Resources:

Part 4: Facts 

In honor of all things sexy and safe, we wanted to highlight 2 very special condoms deserving of all the attention: The internal (female) condom and dental dams! 

Internal (female) condom fun facts: 

  • Multipurpose! Can be used for vaginal AND anal sex
  • Protects against STIs (including HIV) and unwanted pregnancy when used correctly
  • Allows more opportunity for people with vaginas to manage their own sexual protection, without relying on partners with penises
  • Latex-free (made of nitrile)
  • Previously known as “female” condoms – so be aware that some packaging may still use this language

Dental Dam fun facts: 

  • Use not limited to sexual activities – many dental clinics use these for oral procedures too
  • Protects against STIs (including HIV) when used correctly
  • Is used for oral sex around the vagina and anus
  • One of the few safe sex tools you can DIY (but don’t get too carried away with this – the only safely proven DIY method requires an external condom, as other materials like saran wrap are not tested to protect against STIs, so stick to the book on this one)
  • Comes in a variety of flavors and sensations (these specific ones may be limited to select stores and sex shops)

So, what’s the deal about internal condoms and dental dams?  

Despite the awesomeness of these products, sexual education is not as expansive, accessible, or present as it should be. So many people are unaware of or able to access these products, in addition to the push for it not being as strong as it is with external condoms. Also, colonial stigma, sexism, transphobia, and homophobia (especially around 2SLGBTQ+ inclusive materials) fuel this issue. Despite internal condoms and dental dams being useful to anyone regardless of gender, the combination of these factors results in an unfortunate outcome of limited use.   

This is not only seen on an educational or behavioral level but policy-wise too – FDA regulations also impact the mobility of these products. Currently, there is only one FDA-approved internal condom brand called FC2. Additionally, in 2018 the FDA classified all internal condoms (not just FC2) from class III to class II devices (meanwhile external condoms were already considered class II devices). Since this effect equates internal condoms to the same level as external condoms, this means that the development, manufacturing, and access of the product is officially the same (basically, a lot easier than it has been prior to this). 

However, funding, demand, promotion, and attitudes towards internal condoms and dental dams still impact how these effective and evidence-based tools are unequally treated. So, take time today to learn more about these issues and celebrate all the progress that’s been made – safely of course. 

Citations: 

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Obstetrical and Gynecological Devices; Reclassification of Single-Use Female Condom, To Be Renamed Single-Use Internal Condom, 83 Fed. Reg. 48711 (Oct. 29, 2018) [hereinafter FDA 83 Fed. Reg. 48711 (Oct. 29, 2018)].  

Ramanarayan, D. (2021). Internal condoms: A tool to advance sexual and reproductive health and rights for all. Change. Retrieved February 8, 2022, from https://srhrforall.org/internal-condoms-a-tool-for-sexual-and-reproductive-health/ 

National Loving Day

National Loving Day celebrates interracial marriage and the precedence set for same...

Does Size Really Matter?

As a teenager, we’re all consumed with similar worries. From wanting to...

Sexual Orientation: A Spectrum Of Attraction

Heads Up: Sex Must Start with Consent

The idea of having sex can be both exciting and nerve-wracking! You...

What is Roe v. Wade?

You might have heard about Roe v. Wade being “overturned.” This article...

Sex Assigned at Birth and Gender Identity: What Is The Difference?

Wait what?! That’s what you do with lube?

A little-known fact is that lube can be a real game-changer when...

Sex 101

People define “sex” in different ways. The dictionary defines it as “sexually...

Sexual Orientations Explained: Lesbian, Gay, Heterosexual and Bisexual

Oral Sex

Oral sex is using one’s mouth to stimulate a partner’s genitals. Just...

Protecting Yourself During Oral Sex

It is possible to get HIV and other STDs during oral sex...

Becoming Jane Doe

Alara, an Athabaskan and Tlingit transwoman, found her gender identity through drag....

Protecting Yourself During Anal Sex

Anal sex involves inserting one partner’۪s penis into another partner’۪s anus. It...

Protecting Yourself During Vaginal Sex

Vaginal sex happens when a partner’s penis is inserted into another partner’s...

There’s Heart Here

Roller derby champion. Activist. Cyclist. Follow three indigenous members of the Two...

Withdrawal – Pulling Out

Withdrawal is when the man pulls his penis out of the vagina...

The Real Story about Dental Dams

Giving and receiving oral sex can be fun and feel good. But...

Saying Yes or No: What Is Consent?

Internal Condom Instructions

***Remember to always check the expiration date and package of any condom...

Top 10 Sex Myths

MYTH #10: If I use birth control, I don’t need to worry...

Consent And Communication

Talking to Your Partner About Protection

The thought of talking to a partner about sex makes a lot...

Abstinence

Abstinence means not having sex (that means NO vaginal, oral, or anal...

Consent Explained: What Is It?

The Shot – Depo

The Shot, or Depo- Provera®, contains a large dose of a progestin...

Pill, Patch or Ring

What is it and how does it work to prevent pregnancy? Hormones...

Top Signs Boys are in Puberty

Sponge

The Sponge is a soft plastic (polyurethane) sponge that is worn in...

Sterilization

For women sterilization includes a surgical procedure that permanently blocks her fallopian...

Top Signs Girls are in Puberty

Weird (but normal) Body Facts

Our bodies are amazing and house many secrets! Are you curious to...

6 Questions to Help You Find the Right Birth Control for You

Are you curious about what birth control options are out there? Here...

Taking Care of Your Body During Puberty

PSA This Relationship Advice is Actually Genius

Relationships – whether they are with our family members, friends, or significant...

Native Women Just Can’t Anymore

Sex can be fun and empowering. However, some of us – especially...

Puberty: What Is Doctor Confidentiality?

What’s PrEP

PrEP makes preventing HIV easy. But, what is PrEP, and who is...

What you Need to know about your Vagina and Vulva

Have you ever looked at your body and wondered, “Is this normal?”...

Accessing Sexual Health Care for Minors

Access to Abortion

The overturning of Roe v. Wade has caused concern about safe access...

Getting Tested for HIV

If you’re thinking about getting tested for HIV, it’s normal to have...

Bodies: Different Shapes and Sizes. All Beautiful!

National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Person’s Awareness Day

Indigenous people have long experienced disproportionately high rates of violence compared to...

What is the MMIW Movement?

MMIW stands for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women. It’s a movement that...

Does Penis Size Really Matter?

Form Healthy Relationships with Trusted People

Coping with trauma on your own can be difficult. Think of the...

Lateral Violence

What is Lateral Violence? Lateral violence- also called internalized colonialism or horizontal...

Menstruation: What To Expect

Protect Your Peace from Toxic Relationships

What does it mean to protect your peace? Protecting your peace means...

Supporting A Loved One

It can be painful watching those we love struggle. We may feel...

Period Hygiene: Tampons, Pads and Menstrual Cups

Talk About It

Does the idea of giving a friend negative feedback about their behavior...

Healthy and Unhealthy Relationships

We all have relationships with a variety of people, including friends, boyfriends,...

How the Boner Grows

Is My Relationship Healthy?

All relationships exist on a spectrum from healthy to abusive with unhealthy...

Resources for Exploring your Sexual Identity

Your sexual orientation will emerge over time, probably little by little. Don’t...

All About Getting Your Period

Helping a Friend Who’s Been Raped

Getting support from people they love and trust can be invaluable for...

Creating Safe Spaces

While the perpetrators of violence (like intimate partner violence, domestic violence, or...

Masturbation: Totally Normal

Tips to be an Engaged Bystander

Leading up to every violent incident (be it intimate partner violence, domestic...

Native VOICES episode 1

50 Shades of Grey? Nah, try 50 Shades of Native VOICES! The...

Puberty and Finding Out Who You Are

Native VOICES episode 2

Winter is here and so is snagging season. Use condom sense and...

Native VOICES Episode 3

We R Native. We R Proud. Accept Yourself. Protect Yourself. Tune in...

BRAVE: Episode 5

Native VOICES Episode 4

We all care about protecting ourselves and the ones we love. Embrace...

Infant Immunization Week

To promote the importance and achievements of vaccines, especially in protecting the...

BRAVE: Episode 2

Banana Pancakes

February is the month of love and a time to recognize that...

Honor LGBTQ2S People

Protect yourself and your family from suicide. Statistics show the risk of...

Sunhawk / Managing Stress

Randy George

My name is Randy T George. I’m 27, full blooded Native. I’m...

Reese Tahmalwash

I am Reese Tahmalwash, I’m from the northwest, am a member of...

Nadira / Reaching Out for Help at College

Shea Norris

My name is Shea Norris, I’m 23 years old and I come...

Love

The first time I fell in love, I didn’t have the foresight...

Healthy Relationships PSA

 

Adoption: Deciding to Search for Your Birth Family

If you are adopted, it is possible that you might not know...

Are You Safe?

At times we underestimate the amount of danger we could be in...

I Like the Minty ones

  Native VOICES – the best sex ed videos you’ll every watch...

Arguing With Your Parents

Don’t get along with your parents or guardians? Often arguing and feel...

Overcoming Loneliness

If you are feeling socially awkward, there are things you can do...

Lived Experience: Reese’s Story

LGBT: loved & accepted

Communicating About Grief With Your Family and Friends

After someone dies, it can be hard for everyone to adjust. Family...

Listening to a Friend Who Needs You

Friends are often the first people that we turn to when we’re...

Lived Experience: Randy’s Story

LGBT: loved & accepted

Overcoming Shyness

Shyness is usually associated with being quiet, insecure, and/or socially anxious. Being...

Meeting New People

Meeting new people can be a lot of fun. It can be...

Lived Experience: Ceci’s Story

Two Spirit: loved & accepted

More Tips for Communicating Effectively

Tip #1: Use ‘I’ statements. An “I” statement is a way of...

Resolving an Argument or Disagreement

It is normal to argue or disagree with people. Everyone experiences some...

A Gift from the Creator

LGBTQ-Two Spirit: You are a gift from the Creator. You are part...

Safe Body Language

Using body language, like eye contact, posture, facial expressions or touch, can...

Safe Online Chat

Meeting people with similar interests can be fun and exciting, and it’۪s...

Lived Experience: Shea’s Story

Two Spirit: loved & accepted.

Starting at a New School

Whatever your reason, moving into a new school can be an intimidating...

Step-Families

You might face a range of issues when you become part of...

Warriors Against Violence Society

“Women’s Honour Song”

Understanding Sexting

Sexting is the term used to describe the exchange of nude images...

When Your Friend is Distressed

When one of your friends is really upset, it can be a...

Healthy Realtionships

The Merrill Middle School students put together a video highlighting what they...

When You Need Help: Your Family Can be There for You

Sometimes when you go through a tough time, you may need someone...

When Your Parents Break-Up

As family relationships change, there may be a lot of adjusting to...

Reclaim the Fire

A video written by the youth of Rosebud to address the issues...

A Few Definitions: Gender and Sexual Identity

Biological Sex: Your biological sex is the way your body was made. Most...

A Girl’s Guide to Sex Myths

It’s easy to be confused about sex. There are so many mixed...

Native Love is Respect

Justin Secakuku is a member of the Hopi Tribe of Arizona and...

A Guy’s Guide to Sex Myths

Rumors and myths about sex are everywhere. Between what you hear from...

Abusive Relationships

Not all relationships work out, no matter how much we might want...

Native Love is Compassion

Raelyn Rodriguez is a member of the Rincon Band of Luiseño Indians...

Assessing a Relationship

Sometimes relationships work well and are easy, and other times they can...

Being a Lesbian

Women usually describe themselves as lesbian when they find that they are...

Native Love is Community

Alaska is home to 229 federally recognized tribes. Of those tribes operating...

Violence

Violence occurs when one person uses power and control over another through...

Long Distance Relationships

Long distance relationships can be any type of relationship, including family, romantic...

STD Testing – How to Know if You Have an STD

How do you know if you have an STD? There’s only one...

Looking After Your Child

Because the first years of a child’s life are the most important...

Losing Your Virginity

It seems like everyone talks about sex; your friends, characters on TV,...

Ready for Level 3?

Are you ready for level 3?

Maintaining a Happy Relationship

Even when a relationship is going good, it’s important to work at...

Male Condoms

Condoms are thin sheaths most often made out of latex (rubber). Male...

Native It Gets Better

Here’s my personal vlog about being queer in today’s world! This is...

Managing Relationship Pressures

When you’re in a sexual or romantic relationship, you might experience different...

Masturbation

Most people do it – yet so many people worry about it!...

Condoms 101

Before you put it on Here are some tips on what you...

No Method: Wishing and Hoping

Wishing and hoping is not really a method. It doesn’t work! How...

Pregnancy Options

If you’re pregnant, you have three options to think about — abortion,...

Condoms 101

How you store your condoms is just as important as how you...

Preparing for Parenthood

Having a baby means making changes in your life. These can be...

Puberty – Common questions from girls

Please note: In this article, we are working towards using inclusive language....

Different Is Normal

Changing bodies  Being different is normal.You don’t need to worry about whether...

Puberty – Common questions from guys

Please note: In this article, we are working towards using inclusive language....

Girls Reproductive Anatomy

Here are some answers to common questions about the female anatomy, including...

Girls Could Be So Mean

It is hard to stand up for what you believe and the...

Guys Reproductive Anatomy

Does size really matter? Many boys worry about the size and shape...

Safer Sex

Safer sex reduces our risk of getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD)....

Hey There Chlamydia

Hey There Chlamydia, Plain White T’s Parody Music Video. Created by: Keith...

Sexual Identity and Orientation

Your sexual orientation is a reflection of your sexual and emotional feelings...

Sexual Violence

Sexual violence is any type of sexual activity where one (or more)...

I’m Single and I’m Happy

How to be alone. A video by fiilmaker, Andrea Dorfman, and poet/singer/songwriter,...

Should I Get Tested?

You might be wondering if you need a test for sexually transmitted...

Some Facts About Your First Time

You might have a lot of questions about what your first time...

Native Love

We would like to show love and recognition to all Native women...

STD Testing FAQ

Why Should I Get an STD Test? Sexually transmitted diseases (STDs, also...

STD Testing for Youth Under 18

Getting tested for STIs and HIV is important for everyone. Once we...

Natives Helping Natives

A Public Service Announcement filmed by youth participants at the NativeSTAND conference...

STD/HIV Prevention Strategies for LGBTQ2S

It is important to know that the most common symptom of a...

STDs

STDs, also known as sexually transmitted diseases or sexually transmitted infections (STIs)...

Pregnancy Options

Tanika shares what advice she would give to a friend if they...

Hey Auntie, I’m getting crazy cabin fever with the power outages and winter! Help!

see answer

Find Us

Follow Us

Enter Phone Number to Subscribe:

Msg & Data Rates May Apply.
Text STOP to opt out. No purchase necessary.
Expect 4 msgs/mo.Terms and Conditions

Menu