You know the saying - wrap it before you tap it. But which wrapper you choose can actually have a huge impact on your body, according to MyBliss founder Mo Barrier.

It’s clear the conversation around sex and sexual health has evolved; Sextras wouldn’t be here without it.

And with that shift, new brands have emerged that do more than just cater to the basics of safe sex; they prioritise the whole experience, with an emphasis on sexual health and comfort for all parties involved.

MyBliss is one of those brands, making a name for itself by putting women’s health at the forefront of condom design.

Until now it’s been generally accepted that no one really loves using condoms, but until you and your sexual partner know for sure that you are completely STI-free, they are a ‘necessary evil’.

Plus, if you’re the proud owner of ovaries you do not want fertilised and are not on birth control, it’s a safe way to limit the risk of pregnancy.

Why condom use is declining

In recent years, condom use has declined, contributing to rising STI rates globally. CDC data shows a sharp rise in cases of syphilis and gonorrhoea in the US, a trend partially attributed to complacency about HIV due to medical advancements, while in the UK syphilis and gonorrhoea cases rose between 2022-23.

Younger generations often perceive STIs as easily treatable with antibiotics, which is true, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t use protection – ideally, you want to prevent, not treat.

While avoiding condoms might make things feel less "disrupted" in the moment, dealing with an STI later is far more complicated.

A condom designed with women in mind

This is where MyBliss comes in. Designed by Mo Carrier, MyBliss is shaking up the industry by competing with major brands like Durex and Hanx. Their condoms are spermicide-free, fragrance-free, and use silicone oil, which is gentler on women’s bodies and helps maintain the vagina’s natural pH balance.

Named the best condom for 2024 by Cosmopolitan and Men’s Health, the brand also nailed packaging with their easy-to-open buttercup design, adding convenience to the mix.

A personal journey to better sexual health

Mo's passion for women's health is deeply personal. She recalls starting her contraception journey with condoms before turning to hormonal options that eventually caused life-altering side effects.

Many women can relate to the painful experience of hormonal contraception. Mo shares: “Doctors agreed that the benefit of not getting pregnant was worth the side effects, but they weren’t the ones having to endure them.”

And when an unfaithful ex-partner passed chlamydia onto her, despite being on hormonal contraception, she realised condoms were the best option for her health.

This personal journey ignited her drive to create a product that protects women’s health without the harsh side effects of hormonal birth control.

The impact of condoms on vaginal health

STIs are just one part of the equation. Many women struggle with recurring UTIs and thrush, issues that can be exacerbated by unprotected sex.

We’ve all been there; you forget to pee immediately after having sex, and lo and behold, next time you go to the toilet, that awful, oh-so-familiar burn down there has returned.

“I must’ve had a UTI, one after another, for about a year,” Mo says. “It was absolutely horrible. If I’d pushed my partner to use a condom, I would’ve been saved from constant infections.”

Few people know that condoms can help prevent these kinds of infections by shielding the vaginal microbiome from semen, which can throw off its balance and lead to problems like thrush or UTIs.

In fact, consistent condom use can reduce the incidence of bacterial vaginosis by as much as 50% in women, according to research by the University of North Carolina in 2016, meaning wrapping it up can not only protect you against infections, but also promote better vaginal health.

Sadly, these topics are rarely discussed in traditional sex education, leaving many of us unaware of the holistic benefits condoms can offer.

“No one ever talks about the mess that’s left behind after sex without a condom,” says Mo. “But it’s a real issue for women. Condoms can eliminate that, and it’s just so much nicer.”

Changing how men feel about condoms

One challenge Mo has faced is the idea that men won’t want to use condoms, especially those designed with women’s needs in mind. However, MyBliss’s research shows that this concern might be overblown.

“We did a survey with our customers, and a lot of the men said their reason for buying was that their girlfriend suggested it or they were worried about her health,” Mo explains. “It’s really sweet, and it shows that men in relationships genuinely do care.”

Realistically, if it’s a boundary for you, penis owners who whine and drag their feet to wear a condom need to grow up. Protected sex is safe sex, and if they don’t want to do that, then they aren’t going to have sex – and they go cry about it alone. (too harsh?)

With 60% of MyBliss customers being men, it’s clear that this stereotype is not the norm; many guys are becoming more considerate about their partner’s health and are willing to prioritise it.

For Mo, this is an encouraging sign: “Investors told me men wouldn’t buy something female-centric, but the right kind of man will. It’s a telling sign if he’s the right person.”

Empowerment through education

Empowering women through education is at the core of MyBliss’s mission. Mo stresses the importance of understanding vaginal health and the broader risks of unprotected sex.

While many women are aware that condoms prevent pregnancy and STIs, far fewer understand that they can also protect against UTIs and yeast infections.

“I think if more women knew that condoms could protect them against UTIs or thrush, maybe they’d be more interested in using them,” she says.

There’s also an increased sense of ease that comes with protection.

"The clean-up is so much easier, and you don’t have to worry about infections or the discomfort that comes with semen exposure. For women, it’s just a better experience all around.”

The condoms reframing protection for women's sexual health