I'm still always amazed at the number of my friends who confess to me that they have had unprotected sex. They come up with all kinds of excuses and rationalizations. For one, there is that fear — a fear bigger and more tangible than contracting STIs or HIV — like the fear of losing your woody. Now I know some guys lose their erection when they put a condom on, but call me crazy, I've heard men can have more than one. Still, it seems the anxiety is too much for some men. Before you know it, just the crinkling sound of a condom wrapper is enough to leave him limp. As a result, some guys actually refuse to wear one to avoid the embarrassment. Unfortunately, it seems some women don't refuse to have sex with them.

There are lots of other reasons why we take the risk; in fact, the thrill of the risk is probably one of them. Sometimes, if you slip once with a lover, it's easier to slip again. I am constantly amazed at this logic. First time — must use condom. Second time — probably. Third, fourth or fifth time — well, okay, I trust you, you haven't grown a second head or anything, so you must be okay. Lose the condom.

Even if you do manage — in the heat of the moment — to lunge over to the bedside drawer without injury and seductively tear open a condom with your teeth, whip it out, slide it on, and lube it without missing a beat, now suddenly you're committed to intercourse. Going down on it is about as fun as sucking on your Tupperware. Guess we gotta stick it in — and keep it there. Bo-ring. It's much more tempting to just go with the flow and let things unfold according to your desires.

And to learn to live with the guilt. Trust me, I'm Catholic - you can learn to live with guilt. Life-threatening diseases on the other hand...