Trojan Condoms

A normal pregnancy lasts for nine months, or about forty weeks. This forty-week period is divided into separate and distinct stages of development for both the mother-to-be and the unborn baby. Although the phases of development for mother and baby occur concurrently, this article presents a review of the three stages of pregnancy as they affect the pregnant mother’s body first, followed by a brief outline of the principal phases of growth of the baby in the womb.

The First Trimester of Pregnancy

The first trimester of pregnancy begins with conception (the moment when the sperm and egg cell unite in one of the two fallopian tubes) and ends after the twelfth week of pregnancy. During this phase of pregnancy, alterations in hormonal levels bring about many changes in the mother’s body. As a mother’s body grows and changes to accommodate the growing fetus, first trimester pregnancy symptoms develop. This is a period of discomfort for many pregnant women. Some of the more common symptoms caused by hormonal changes during the early weeks of pregnancy are nausea (although it is known as ‘morning’ sickness, this can occur anytime of the day), vomiting, increased fatigue, dizziness, indigestion, swollen and tender breasts, a frequent urge to urinate and emotional mood swings. Some women also develop varicose veins, excessive weight gain, or leg cramps (due to low calcium levels). Food cravings may also be experienced at this stage of pregnancy. If you are a woman, you will have instantly recognized the fact that many of these symptoms are the same as you would experience during and before your period. Just like PMS, first trimester pregnancy symptoms, and their intensity, vary greatly from one mother to another.

It is important for expectant mothers to be aware that the first 12 weeks of pregnancy present the greatest threat of miscarriage. Symptoms such as spotting, bleeding or stomach cramps should send you straight to your doctor’s office. There are many reasons for miscarriage during the first trimester. The most common cause is an abnormality of the baby’s chromosomes. Some other causes can be hormonal problems, infections, lifestyle (smoking, drug use, malnutrition …), maternal age, and trauma.

The Second Trimester of Pregnancy

This three-month period, starting from the 13^th week of pregnancy to the 26^th week, is the easiest and most comfortable stage of pregnancy. If there is a time when a pregnant mother “glows”, this is it! You have avoided the danger of miscarriage, and now is the time to seize the opportunity to enjoy being pregnant! Initial nausea and fatigue usually disappear; energy levels rise and most women regain their normal sex drive too. Your breasts will continue to grow larger and will start secreting colostrum (milk). Your heart too increases in size since it must now pump more blood. Some women will have problems with constipation, gas, or bleeding gums. All women at this stage will no longer be able to sleep on their bellies, and sleeping on their backs may be uncomfortable because of fetus pressure. For most mothers-to-be, the best open to sleep on their sides, with pillows behind their backs. Since the fetus is pressing on your back ligaments, backaches are common at this stage of pregnancy. Another common problem during the second stage of pregnancy is gestational diabetes, and it’s important to undergo regular urine testing to check this.

Keep in mind that after the 20^th week of pregnancy your baby will have a good chance of survival (with intensive medical care) should it be born prematurely. Watch out for premature labor signs like spotting, bleeding or contractions.

The Third, and Final, Trimester of Pregnancy

Since the baby grows a lot during these last weeks of pregnancy, the mother also experiences many bodily changes. These include swelling of the hands and feet (especially during the seventh month), shortness of breath, increased indigestion and heartburn, trouble falling asleep (particularly in the eighth month), leg cramps resulting from the baby’s growing demand for calcium, minerals and vitamins and exhaustion. Your baby now weighs about four pounds. Take deep breaths to increase his / her oxygen supply, rest as much as you can and avoid carrying heavy objects. In the final month of pregnancy, the baby’s head will drop in the pelvic area, to get ready for delivery. You may experience contractions, but don’t worry. These are “practice contractions”, also known by the name of the British physician who first described them - “Braxton Hicks contractions”. They are not real labor contractions. Don’t forget to attend your childbirth classes!

The Baby in All This?

• The Germinal Stage: begins with conception, when the sperm fertilizes the egg cell in one of the mother’s two fallopian tubes. The fertilized egg then travels toward the uterus, and this can take up to a week. About 24 to 36 hours after conception, cell division begins, creating a mass of cells. Once these arrive at the uterus, they attach themselves to the uterine wall (implantation).

• The Embryonic Stage: Following implantation, the mass of cells is known as an ‘embryo’. During the embryonic stage, the umbilical cord and the placenta begin to develop, and the basic outlines of the baby’s organs, body parts and nervous system are established. By the end of this stage (about the sixth week of pregnancy), the beginnings of features (fingers, eyes, mouth, and ears) become visible. The embryo is about one inch long at this stage, and has a heartbeat.

• The Fetal Stage: The embryonic stage ends when most of the ‘cell differentiation’ has occurred, and the embryo becomes a fetus. The features and organs established continue to grow, the baby’s brain, nervous system and spinal cord develop, and by the third month of pregnancy, the baby’s sex organs begin to form. In the course of the first stage of pregnancy, the baby develops from two tiny, separate cells into a three-inch long fetus with most of its organs and features established and functioning.

• Fetus Growth in the Second Trimester of Pregnancy: The baby continues to grow, its heartbeat is stronger, it has developed scalp and fine body hair, its facial features are more defined and, since its facial muscles are formed, it can smile – or frown. About halfway through the second trimester of pregnancy, it is usually possible to determine the sex of the baby through ultrasound. The baby is more active, and you can feel it play and kick.

• Fetus Growth in the Third Trimester of Pregnancy: By the thirtieth week of pregnancy, the fetus weighs about three pounds. In the thirty-second week, its movement diminishes due to its growing size and the cramped space in the womb. All the five senses develop at this stage of growth, and by the thirty-fifth week, a fetus can hear high-pitched voices and sounds. In the thirty-sixth week of pregnancy, the baby weighs about six pounds and is 18 inches long. It may drop down into the birth canal. The baby’s lungs are fully developed by the 39^th week of pregnancy, and it reaches its full weight and length as it enters into the fortieth and final week of pregnancy.

Labor and Delivery

• Labor: The first stage of labor occurs when the cervix dilates, allowing the baby to move into the birth canal. This is the longest stage of labor. Contractions are mild during early labor as your cervix dilates to about 3 cm. As your cervix continues to dilate to nearly 7 cm, your contractions will become stronger and last longer. The shortest and most difficult phase of labor is the last phase, when your cervix dilates from 7 centimeters to 10 centimeters and your contractions become stronger and more frequent. Contractions help to push the baby down the birth canal.

• Delivery of the Baby: Once the baby’s head is delivered, his or her airway will be cleared and the midwife or doctor will ensure that the umbilical cord is free. The rest of the baby’s body will follow shortly.

• Delivery of the Placenta: This is the final phase of labor and delivery. The doctor / midwife must deliver the placenta and make sure the mother’s bleeding is under control. The placenta is examined to make sure it is intact. Any remaining fragments must be removed from the uterus to prevent bleeding and infection.

Each of the stages of pregnancy brings changes to your body and to the developing baby you carry in your womb. Understanding these changes and knowing what to expect in the course of your pregnancy can make the forty weeks you will be living as an expectant mother much more enjoyable.

PENIS SIZE

Throughout the ages and across most cultures, the human penis has been a symbol of male power and virility. In varying degrees, penis size has been a subject of concern for men in most parts of the world.

Average Penis Size

Although scientific attempts aimed at determining average penis size have been underway for over 60 years, measuring the average penis size is not a simple process. It is complicated by several factors: What to measure (length, girth or both); how to measure; when to measure (erect, flaccid or stretched penis); the degree to which a study sample is representative (who is measured, what age, what race, what medical condition…); and who does the measuring. Self-reported measurements are usually bigger than measurements taken by others, reflecting the subjects’ wishes for bigger sized penises.

Nevertheless, it is possible to determine an average range of penis sizes. A worldwide study of several penis size research projects undertaken over the last half century and involving over 11,000 participant states that the average erect size of the adult penis is between 5.5 and 6.2 inches in length and 4.7 inches and 5.1 inches in circumference.

Even in determining ranges, however, different studies provide different results. Three studies of penis size (measured in laboratory settings) provide the following indications:

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There are about twenty-nine varieties of Trojan brand condoms that can be classified according to four different criteria: the material they are made of, their ‘fit’, their ‘design’, and the lubrication factor.

MATERIAL

All Trojan brand condoms are made of latex with the exception of the TROJAN Supra® condom, which is made of ultra-thin medical grade polyurethane, and the TROJAN Naturalamb Skin condom made of a natural membrane. Both of these are suitable for people with latex allergies, but the TROJAN Naturalamb Skin condom does not provide protection against STDs because of the size of the pores in the natural skin they are made of. Both these varieties enhance sexual pleasure since they are designed to transmit body heat. The TROJAN Naturalamb Skin condom is wider and longer than most condoms, and is lubricated. Since it is not made of latex, the TROJAN Supra® can be used with both oil-based and water-based lubricants.

FIT

Trojan condoms come in three sizes: Regular; Large and Extra large. Trojan offers several varieties of large (magnum-sized) condoms: the MAGNUM®, the MAGNUM® Twister, the MAGNUM® Warming Sensation, the Trojan NaturaLamb and the MAGNUM® Thin condoms (the thinnest magnum condom available). There is only one variety of extra large condoms, the MAGNUM® XL Latex Condom, which is 30% larger than standard condoms.

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Excluding abstinence, condoms are the oldest form of effective birth control still in use today. The Ancient Egyptians are believed to have used condoms, made of linen, for protection against Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) 3000 years ago, but various materials have been used to make condoms throughout the ages, including animal and fish intestines and tortoise shells.

The manufacture of condoms as we now know them began in earnest when Charles Goodyear and Thomas Hancock discovered the vulcanization of rubber in 1839. Rubber vulcanization is the process of transforming rubber into a strong elastic material, and it made the manufacture of rubber products, including condoms, faster and cheaper. The production, in 1919, of latex condoms (thinner than rubber ones and odorless) was another revolutionary change in condom manufacture. Condom sales increased dramatically in the U.S. in the mid 1930’s. As other contraceptive methods (the Pill, IUDs …) gained in popularity in the early 1960s, there was a decline in condom use.

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The average age of first sexual intercourse in the U.S. is about 17.5 years old, with young men typically having their first sexual experience at a younger age than young women do. Although the pregnancy rate among adolescents has declined steadily since the early 1990s, it remains a major public health problem and teen pregnancy and birth rates are among the highest in ‘developed countries’. The pregnancy rates among 15 to 19 year old American girls dropped by about 30% between 1990 and 2002. Nevertheless, approximately one million American teenagers continue to get pregnant every year (three quarters of these pregnancies are unintended). The teen abortion and birth rates have also declined significantly since the early 1990s (26% decline for birth rates).

The drop in pregnancy and abortion rates can be attributed to declines in sexual activity, and an increased use of condoms and hormonal contraceptives. The rate of STD infection among adolescents remains shockingly high, however. Between three and four million adolescents in the U.S. contract a sexually transmitted disease each year, and an estimated one-half of all newly contracted HIV infections occur among young people under 25, most through sexual practices. About 40% of HIV/AIDS cases contracted by adolescents in 2002 were contracted through heterosexual contact and 5% through drug injection.

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This will work for other types of condoms as well, of course. (How to put on a condom)

1. Verify that the condom has not expired and if it has get a new one.
2. Safely open the package. Ensure that you do not open the Trojan condom and damage it with a pair of scissors or with your teeth.
   
3. Uncircumcised people should pull back the foreskin before putting the condom on. Read the rest of this entry »

VASECTOMIES

Vasectomies have been around for a long time. The first study into the effects of litigating a man’s sperm-carrying tubes, the vas deferens, was published in 1830, in London. The procedure started to be regularly performed for family planning purposes in the USA in the 1940s. In 1954, India launched the first vasectomy program on a national scale as a means to control its over-population problem, but Vasectomies did not come into common use until the late 1960s in the majority of western countries.

Vasectomy is a simple surgical procedure. It is the safest, most reliable form of sterilization. Yet it still seems to be the farthest things from many men’s minds when thinking about birth control methods. In all cultures, men grow up believing that their masculinity depends on their genitals. Their general reluctance to have that part of their body interfered with is therefore understandable. Read the rest of this entry »

The Female Condom (FC) is one of the three FDA approved products (male latex condoms, male polyurethane condoms and the FC) of its type that protect against unintended pregnancies and work to prevent the transmission of HIV/AIDS through sexual intercourse - the only one that is controlled by the woman.

The FC is a thin pouch worn by women during intercourse. Invented by a Danish physician, it has been available in Europe since 1992 and was approved by the FDA in 1993. It is a polyurethane pouch with a flexible ring at each end (one end is closed). The flexible ring at the closed end is inserted into the vagina and helps keep the condom in place. The ring at the open end stays outside the vulva and is used to guide the penis during penetration. The inside of the condom is lubricated. The Female condom physically blocks ejaculated semen from entering the body although it does not have spermicide. Read the rest of this entry »

Most parents wonder about how and when to talk to their teenage (or pre-teenage) children about the birds and the bees (sex). Some worry that talking about sex, contraception and STDs will encourage their children to become sexually active. Despite the statistics (over 80% of North Americans have their first sexual intercourse as teenagers), parents tend not to acknowledge the emerging sexuality of their pre-teenage and teenage children.

Unfortunately, these perfectly normal parental emotions often lead to parental silence about sexual issues, or to the postponement of the dreaded talk – both of which can have drastic effects on the wellbeing of children. As a concerned parent, you must make certain that once they reach puberty, your children will know about sex, contraception and STD prevention - and that they learn this information from YOU. Read the rest of this entry »

The Catholic Church has always taken its stand on saving oneself for marriage and/or being faithful in one, and any means or use of contraception for any reason has always been frowned upon.

Though bishops and priests have taken stands to allow the use of condoms, not as a method of conception, but as a means to combat diseases, such as AIDS, the Vatican has remained faithful to its teachings of fighting diseases with other resources. With AIDS still on the loose, without a cure in sight and numbers of infections increasing- all Catholic priests are faced with a dilemma on whether to stick with tradition (abstinence until marriage, and being faithful to one’s spouse when married) or listen to modern society and support the use of condoms for disease prevention. Ever increasingly, leaders of the Catholic Church are now advocating the use of condoms to prevent the spread of disease. When will the rest come around?

For year end 2007, the number of people living with HIV has risen from 8 million in 1990 to more than 33 million today, and the numbers are growing. Around 69% of people living in the world with HIV are in sub-Saharan Africa. Statistics also show that in Africa, particularly Uganda, the rate of increase in HIV has actually DECLINED with the use of condoms! At a tiny clinic in an Ugandan suburb run by Dr. Henry Read the rest of this entry »