At Condom-USA, America’s safer sex store, we are first and foremost about educating and promoting a healthy body and mind connection. We understand that the body and mind are one and work together. With this in mind, in order to have a healthy sexual identity one must first be healthy in one's choices. The body listens to what the mind tells it to do, so we must love ourselves, know ourselves, and be aware of what we want and desire in our sexual encounters. We must also be willing to protect our bodies and the body of others; therefore, safer sex is imperative to a healthy lifestyle. And with safer sex comes condoms. We here at Condom-USA know condoms. We opened our doors in 1992 in Miami’s trendy Coconut Grove. We were an immediate success, as this was a scary time with the HIV/AIDS epidemic, we were one of the first brick and mortar stores to offer free HIV testing and counseling with the Florida Dept of Health. People needed information and ways to protect themselves from unprotected—and at the time—dangerous sex.  STIs are still very prevalent and can be avoided as well with healthy choices and protection. With that being said we have always tried to carry the best in condoms and offer the most innovative products available on the market today.

Kimono condoms and other Japanese inspired ultra-thin condoms are some of our best sellers. The reason for this is that Japanese condoms are made thinner, but not to worry, they are individually tested and very strong. We have been selling Japanese and Japanese inspired condoms for a very long time and have never heard one complaint. We are happy that they have gained in popularity. We believe the reason they are so popular is because they are micro-thin, yet strong: The classic Kimono Microthin measures just ~49 µm but still maintains impressive durability thanks to advanced Japanese latex engineering. Other reasons people like them are for the low odor. They are free from parabens and glycerin; they’re made with natural latex and designed to have minimal scent. They are also vegan. And each condom is electronically tested and meets, actually exceeds US and international standards. The bottom line is Kimono condoms are consistently applauded for their exceptional thinness, comfort, and reliability. With multiple versions—plain, lube-enhanced, textured, contoured, and larger sizes—they cater to a variety of preferences while maintaining high quality and high safety standards. 

Kimono condoms are latex condoms. One might ask: what if you are allergic to latex condoms but would still like a thin condom? Well, there are options now for non-latex condom users. People are getting educated on their options and they are choosing non-latex a lot more frequently now than ever before. Two of the most popular non-latex materials are polyisoprene and polyurethane. Many people are sensitive to latex and end up feeling uncomfortable after what is meant to be a wonderful experience. To prevent this from happening we recommend Lifestyles Polyisoprene Skyn condoms, they come in a variety of sizes, and they feel very thin. The best part is their ability to transmit heat, resulting in a more natural, "skin-on-skin" feel. They are made of a non‑latex material that eliminates allergy and odor issues, ultra-thin yet reliable, and they now come in a variety of sizes—including Large. Lifestyles Skyn condoms offer a great alternative to regular latex condoms, if you or your partner are sensitive down there or just in general, we recommend giving these top sellers a try. Something to keep in mind, however, is that you can only use water-based lubricants with latex and polyisoprene condoms. Also, if you or your partner think you may be allergic to condoms these are the signs you will need to look for to know if you are actually allergic to latex.

If concerned about an allergy to latex, there's several symptoms to look out for, ranging from mild irritation like itchy skin to more serious reactions such as swelling or anaphylaxis. The most common symptoms being itchy skin, burning sensations, redness, or a rash wherein the latex touched the skin. Some people can also experience hives, sneezing, or watery eyes, especially if one's exposed to powdered latex products, in particular. More severe cases see symptoms such as swelling of the lips, tongue, or throat, chest tightness, wheezing, or even anaphylaxis (which require emergency medical attention). To determine if latex is the cause for any aforementioned symptoms, begin by noticing whether symptoms consistently follow latex exposure. Trying a latex-free condom with polyisoprene, such as SKYN, can be helpful---if symptoms disappear after using a latex-free condom, it's a good indicator one likely has a latex allergy. For a more definitive diagnosis, one should visit an allergist for a skin prick test or a blood test to check for latex-specific antibodies. It's also worth mentioning that people with latex allergies sometimes react to certain fruits such as bananas, avocados, and kiwis due to a condition called latex-fruit syndrome. If one's allergic to latex, switching to latex-free condoms, avoiding latex products, and only using water-based lubricants will help one stay safe and comfortable.

For more information regarding condom options, check out our podcast and remember safer sex is hotter sex. Take away the anxiety you feel after unprotected sex with healthy, safe and enjoyable products. Stop and think and make the right healthy choices for you and your partner. :)