PPRM to give away free condoms in recognition of Valentines Day and National Condom Week

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, so to kick off National Condom Week, February 14-21, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains is giving away condoms at each of its 28 health centers.

National Condom Week, which originally began at the University of California, Berkeley in the ‘70s, still has great relevance in America. Research shows that every year in the United States roughly half of all pregnancies are unplanned, and approximately 19 million women and men will contract a sexually transmitted disease. Condoms used consistently and correctly provide the best protection against sexually transmitted diseases for sexually active women and men. They also protect against unintended pregnancy.

The Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has named both unintended pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases as two of the state’s “10 Winnable Battles,” which are public health and environmental priorities with large-scale impact on health and the environment, and with known, effective strategies to address them. According to the CDPHE, unintended pregnancy stretches the state budget, costing Medicaid in Colorado more than $160 million annually. Additionally, Colorado has a rate of gonorrhea among 15- to 29-year-olds that is twice the national rate for people of all ages. That rate is even more troubling when considering the side effects that can take place during the most likely child-bearing years. Infections due to gonorrhea are a major cause of pelvic inflammatory disease which may lead to serious outcomes in women including infertility, ectopic pregnancy and chronic pelvic pain.

Through an increase in education, awareness, and the normalization of conversations surrounding safe sex practices we can reduce the high statistics surrounding unintended pregnancies and STDs. PPRM encourages men and women to take responsibility for their sexual health; National Condom Week is an opportunity for sexually active partners to discuss whose responsibility it is to provide condoms. In fact, Planned Parenthood’s line of stylish PROPER ATTIRE^® condoms was designed to help women feel more comfortable about buying and carrying condoms. With chic, fashion-forward packaging, PROPER ATTIRE^® condoms allow women to combine their sense of style and commitment to be healthy. PROPER ATTIRE^® condoms are available year‑round at Planned Parenthood health centers, or they can be ordered online by going to www.properattirecondoms.com.

PPRM celebrates National Condom Week!

To kickoff National Condom Week, February 14-19, Planned Parenthood of the Rocky Mountains will give away condoms in exchange for a minimal donation at its health centers in Colorado all week; proceeds will then be donated to a Planned Parenthood International (PPI) project to buy condoms in for populations who are at great risk Latin America.

In addition to protecting themselves and their partners from unintended pregnancy and STDs, clientele who participate in this campaign will become part of an effort to increase access to sexual and reproductive health information and services in the most remote and underserved communities around the world.

National Condom Week, which originally began at the University of California, Berkeley in the ‘70s, has great relevance in America too.  Research shows that every year in the United States there are more than three million unintended pregnancies, and approximately 19 million women and men will contract a sexually transmitted disease.  Condoms used consistently and correctly provide the best protection against sexually transmitted infections for sexually active women and men. They also protect against unintended pregnancy.

Yet many people don’t know how to properly use a condom. In a study published in the International Journal of STD and AIDS in 2008, men attending an STD clinic reported that during the previous three month period:

• 29 percent put the condom on upside down and then turned it over;
• 28.4 percent removed the condom before completing intercourse;
• 30 percent experienced problems with fit or feel of the condom;
• 31 percent had a condom break.

PPRM encourages men and women to take responsibility for their sexual health; National Condom Week is an opportunity for sexually active partners to discuss whose responsibility it is to provide condoms.  In fact, Planned Parenthood’s line of Proper Attire condoms are available year‑round at Planned Parenthood health centers, or they can be ordered online by going to www.properattirecondoms.com.

Condom check!

Planned Parenthood reminds us all to check the expiration dates on our condoms when we change our clocks for Daylight Savings Time.

Expired condoms are more likely to break so stock up on a fresh supply.

Yeah, I'm a little late but the information still applies. - via Jezebel

Lady GaGa recommends condoms by Jeremy Scott

MTV and PlanetOut report that Lady GaGa has endorsed a line of condoms designed by Jeremy Scott.

I'm not sure how one exactly "designs" condoms but everybody loves Lady GaGa and condoms are important so take a gander at ProperAttireCondoms.com.

They also have some limited edition Keith Haring condoms with packaging incorporating Keith Haring’s classic image of two figures holding up a heart that are kind of cool.