Q&A: Condom usage, definition of virginity

The Pleasure Principle

The Pleasure Principle

Mellisa Estebo

“Does using two condoms at the same time give you double the protection?” – Anonymous

NO! Using two condoms at once can increase the friction between the condoms during intercourse, making them more likely to rip or tear. This is the case whether you’re using two male condoms or a male condom and a female condom.

“Who masturbates?” — Anonymous

Most people masturbate — guys, girls, single people and people in relationships. Some people masturbate a couple of times a day, some only every once in a while. It’s also completely normal if your girlfriend or boyfriend masturbates (or wants to masturbate). It doesn’t mean you’re not enough, and it doesn’t mean they’re not into you. But of course, you should only masturbate if it is what you want. Some people never do, and that’s completely fine.

“If my partner masturbates without me, does that mean they aren’t interested in me sexually?” – Anonymous

Some people, quite a few actually, seem to think that masturbating when you have a partner means something’s wrong with your relationship. However, masturbation can actually help partners improve and enjoy sex more, and it can help enhance sex both physically and emotionally between partners.

“If I masturbate, am I still a virgin?” — Student at UK

The word virgin isn’t really appropriate. The word virgin implies that there is a specific act that qualifies as sex, and it amplifies penis arrogance and slut shaming. That being said, what makes someone a virgin is up to the individual and what he or she believes being a virgin means.

“Does wearing a condom make sex feel different?” — Lisa, Student at UK

A lot people would probably say that sex does feel different while wearing a condom. However, the description of what feels different can vary from individual to individual. Some individuals might think wearing a condom feels better, while some might think wearing a condom feels worse. Many people might say that sex feels better while using a condom because they can relax and not fret about the possibility of becoming pregnant or getting an STI.

“I constantly see girls in pornos and magazines with vaginas that don’t look anything like mine. Is there something wrong with mine and/or what do vaginas typically look like?” — Anonymous

Chances are that your breasts or vulva, or a guy’s penis or scrotum, do not look like pictures or videos you’ve seen in the porn world. Bodies come in all different shapes and sizes so there is no such thing as the “right way” for breasts, vulvas, penises, or scrotums to look.

Mellisa Estebo is a psychology sophomore and host of WRFL’s “Sexually Speaking.”

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