Ahead of World AIDS Day, Let’s Deep Dive On Why Condoms Are Flavoured, As Told By Dr Cuterus

World AIDS Day may have passed, but the conversations it sparks around safer sex and sexual awareness should never fade. In a world where myths still overshadow basic facts, even something as simple as a condom remains surrounded by so much confusion. To cut through the noise, OnlyMyHealth spoke exclusively with Dr Tanaya Narendra, also known as Dr Cuterus on Instagram, who broke down the questions people hesitate to ask but need the answers to.

One such question is, why are condoms flavoured at all? According to her, the reason flavoured condoms exist is for one reason, and that is oral sex.

While many still relate the use of condoms to penetrative intercourse, according to Dr Cuterus, protection during oral sex is just as important but is often ignored. Many people assume that oral sex is automatically safe, but it can still transmit Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs). That’s where flavoured condoms come in.

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“These condoms are flavoured because they're meant to be used for oral sex,” she said. The added flavours, kala khatta, mint, chocolate, strawberry, and many others, make the experience more pleasant for the person giving oral sex, increasing the likelihood that they'll use protection. Taste plays a surprisingly big role in comfort, and flavoured condoms simply make safer oral sex easier and more acceptable.

Can Flavoured Condoms Be Used For Penetrative Sex?

But that's where most people get it wrong, flavoured condoms should not be used for penetrative sex.

Dr Cuterus was clear that using them inside the vagina can do more harm than good. The sugars and flavouring agents, which may make them appealing to taste, act to irritate the vaginal environment and may cause infection or discomfort. “They should not go inside the vagina,” she stressed.

She also added that if the flavours make their way into your stomach during oral sex, that's totally safe. Ingestion poses no risk because the digestive system can break down the additives, making them harmless when swallowed but potentially disruptive inside the vaginal canal. The message is simple:

• Use flavoured condoms only for oral sex.
• Use regular, unflavoured condoms for penetrative sex.

It's a simple differentiation, but one that can greatly affect sexual health, particularly for the younger or first-time users who might not be aware of this fact. As STI prevention conversations become more commonplace, understanding how flavoured condoms are actually meant to be used is a small but significant step toward safer, more informed sexual experiences.

Bottomline

Flavoured condoms are designed only to make protected oral sex more pleasant, and they should never be used for vaginal penetration.