The World Cup in South Africa ended Sunday, in a 120-minute final match between the Netherlands and Spain.

During those 120-minutes, statistics show that 422 South African women would have been raped.

Which is why Dr. Sonnet Ehlers was inspired to test out her anti-rape device, called Rape-aXe, in her home country as it hosted the 2010 World Cup.

Rape-aXe is essentially a female condom with hooks inside. A woman can insert the device with an applicator similar to that of a tampon. Should she be raped, the hooks attach to the rapist’s penis, just in the skin, not deep enough to draw blood.

Impossible to dislodge, the device will need to be removed by a doctor, resulting in the rapist’s inevitable arrest.

Dr. Ehlers, was inspired to create the device 40 years ago by a rape victim who she recalls saying “If only I had teeth down there,” she told CNN last month.

But can the age-old myth of the vagina dentata really stop sexual assault?

In my mind, there are two major barriers to the full-blown success of something like the Rape-aXe. First of all, a man who is already violent enough to rape is not going to be pleased to find his penis has been ensnared by a female-condom-turned-bear-trap. He is likely to react even more violently, potentially hurting the woman wearing the Rape-aXe even more brutally.

Secondly, this puts further responsibility and blame on women to not “let themselves get raped” as it were. To me, it feels like the same awful victim blaming we hear all the time – she was dressed provocatively, she shouldn’t have been out so late, she was asking for it. A woman has to be constantly expecting to be raped to feel she needs the Rape-aXe, a state of psychological trauma that I would not wish upon anyone.

“It doesn’t address ways that we can be preventing men from raping; it just has women anticipate it,” writes Feministing. Others have called it a type of enslavement.

Ehlers addressed these concerns in an interview with Radio Netherlands, saying the men are violent already. Rape-aXe won’t make them more violent; it will hold them accountable and possibly even dissuade them from violence, she says, because they need a doctor to remove the device.

“Because he’s tagged, he cannot remove it, he’s got to go to a hospital, and then he’s identified. So now at least he’ll be up for rape, and not for murder and rape,” she said.

And, according to Jezebel, perceiving this as a victim-blaming tool is a luxury of the western world. Ehlers is taking drastic measures because South American women have already tried drastic measures, some even inserting razor blades wrapped in sponges into their vaginas, reports CNN. The biggest issue is stopping rape by any means possible in a country this torn by it.

Because rape is ravaging South Africa. The country has the highest rate of rape in the world. Estimates from a 2006 study by Interpol, the international policy agency, found that a woman is raped every 17 seconds in South Africa. According to Human Rights Watch, 28% of South African men have raped a woman or girl and one in 20 have done so in the past year. Amnesty International reports that only about 8% of rape cases are brought to court.

So how are they working out? Well, therein lies another problem. Dr. Ehlers’ grand plans to distribute 30,000 free condoms in South Africa during the World Cup have fallen more than a little short.

Mother Jones caught up with Dr. Ehlers at the end of June and asked the tough questions. The doctor revealed she had only raised $120, not enough to distribute even a single condom. (Which brings to mind another question – at about $2 a pop, will the women at the highest risk for rape around the world be able to afford Rape-aXe? Are they reusable? How many would a woman need in a year? That cost will add up.)

While Rape-aXe got a considerable amount of buzz and coverage by international media, no one reported on the fact that she was only going to distribute the 30,000 condoms if she got enough donations. So far, no one has been exactly banging down her door.

It’s undoubtedly not the solution in the U.S., but in a country so torn by violence and rape, this might just work. That is, if it ever makes it out the door.

Today’s video is about condoms coming off during sex – whether it’s when thrusting or pulling out — and how best to handle it. The women tell their stories, and talk about how scary it is.

If it ever happens to you, what you should do is go to the bathroom, get in the tub, squat and try to pee. If it does not come out, stick your finger in your vagina, just a tiny way in and see if you can feel the condom. If you do, use two finger to clasp it and pull it out.

Be careful though – you don’t want to put your finger in too far, you may accidentally push the condom farther up. 
If you can’t get it out on your own, you will need to go to the doctor. But don’t be embarrassed! It happens often and doctors are totally used to dealing with condoms, and other objects, stuck in vaginas.

Here’s a great link for more stories and information.
Teen Expert - Lost Condom

And to watch this video:
Missing In Action Condoms

Little Cherry,

I recently got tested for STDs, but my doctor said I was unable to get checked for HPV (apparently since I’m a guy.) I’ve been kind of worried about it since I heard you can have HPV without symptoms. Is there anything else I can do to find out if I have it? Also, is there anything that my girlfriend can do to help protect herself? We’re both pretty concerned.

-Steve

Steve,

Thanks for your question. I’m really glad to see that you’re looking out for your sexual health. Unfortunately, there are no FDA-approved methods of testing for HPV in men. In fact, there are no general “HPV status” tests available for anyone (although a woman’s Pap can detect abnormal cells which may be run for HPV.) Some men become aware of having HPV due to a development of bumps around the genital area, including the thighs, scrotum, and penis. [If you would show any signs of infection, make sure to see your doctor for an evaluation, ASAP.] Yet, other men show no symptoms at all. In order to help reduce your risks of contracting HPV, you may want to wear condoms or refrain from sexual activity. In the event you are already infected with HPV, your body will most likely fight off the infection within a year or two. In fact, the CDC estimates that about 90% of both low and high-risk infections can clear up within this time frame.  (Still, be aware that you may pass it on to others!)

In regards to your girlfriend, HPV can pose some serious risks for women, including cervical cancer. One thing she should definitely do is get her periodic Pap tests done. (Some clinicians want patients to come in yearly, provided the results consistently come back within normal limits… Others prefer every other year.  Your girlfriend should consult with her health care provider to come up with a time line that fits her needs.) Another option might be the Guardasil vaccine, which can help prevent against four types of HPV responsible for most of the cervical cancers and genital warts. If she’s interested, have her talk to her health care provider for more information.

And here’s a great video on STD testing. It talks about HPV briefly, but also provides great information on testing for other sexually transmitted diseases: STD Testing

Hope this helps.

Keep asking questions,
Little Cherry

Little Cherry,

I have been sexually active for a few years and am interested in taking birth control. (Don’t worry, I already get tested for STDs!) I did some research online about cervical caps and diaphragms, but I still can’t tell them apart. Can you please tell me what the difference is and why people use them.

-Confused

Dear Confused,

Great questions! In a lot of ways, diaphragms and cervical caps are very similar. Both are prescription forms of birth control, which function as barrier methods- meaning that they block the sperm from entering into the uterus, thus preventing pregnancy. (They do so by covering the cervix.) They also require the use of spermicide, which helps to kill off the sperm. If taken care of properly, cervical caps and diaphragms can both last for a couple of years. Nevertheless, there are a few key differences.

Differences between cervical caps and diaphragms include:

· Cervical caps come in only a few set sizes, which unfortunately do not cater to all women’s shapes. Diaphragms, on the other hand, are specifically fit to each body by a doctor.

· The diaphragm covers not only the cervix, but also some of the area around the cervix. By covering more surface area, it may help to protect against some STDs. (*Even so, you still need to use a latex condom with either one of these methods in order to prevent STD transmission!)

· Cervical caps and diaphragms must be kept in prior to and post sex for different amounts of time. Ask your doctor for more specific details.

When picking out your birth control, I’ve got a bit of advice to keep in mind: birth control is not only a product, but also a method. I stress this because if it doesn’t fit into your lifestyle, it’s very easy to take the product incorrectly (resulting in a drop in the effectiveness rate.) As I’ve already mentioned, both forms of birth control require you to prepare for sex ahead of time. Do you need something spur of the moment? Also, are you comfortable feeling around for your cervix and inserting the birth control? This is certainly not to discourage you from using the diaphragm or cervical cap. They can both be really great options, especially for those unable to use hormonal methods. Since you are interested in learning more, I would definitely recommend speaking to your health care provider about any birth control questions or concerns. Also, check out our episode entitled ‘Barrier Birth Control’ for more advice. Hopefully, you’ll find a method that’s a ‘great fit.’

Ask questions!,
Little Cherry

Have your own question? Please send questions to “questions at cherrytv dot com” (trying to avoid the spam spiders by spelling it out!). We’ll attempt to address it here on the blog and possibly even cover it on a show.

Condoms are the contraceptive many love to hate. Sure, sex may feel different than the sensuality of rubbing skin-on-skin. However, in addition to protecting against pregnancy, condoms are also your best bet to reduce of the risk of STD transmission.

Since our natural juices can come and go during a sex session, adding lube maximizes the in-and-out, ultimately increasing pleasure for you and your partner. Here’s what you need to know about compatibility between condoms and lube:

• Latex condoms can only be used with water-based and silicone-based lube. Never use oil-based lube with latex as it causes these condoms to deteriorate.
• Polyurethane condoms can be used with water-based, silicone-based and oil-based lube. However, oil-based products (like baby oil, vaseline, body lotion, and whipped cream to name a few) can increase the likelihood of getting a vaginal infection.
• Lambskin condoms can be used with water-based, silicone-based and oil-based lube. However, while these condoms are a barrier for sperm, they do not offer any protection against STDs.

A few more words about lube:

• Water-based lube washes off easily and shouldn’t stain your sheets.
• Silicone-based lube lasts longer, and doesn’t wash off with water too easily (for some women, this causes irritation).
• Oil-based lube aren’t a good idea to use at all.
• And finally, as far as lube ingredients, products that don’t contain glycerin and paraben are better for your body.

Watch Video: A Guide to Condoms