It’s not just Brits that have trouble having the condom conversation.

After talking about it with my friends, I discovered that we’ve all had trouble bringing it up at one point or another. But bring it up we must…besides, sex is so much better when you can focus on enjoying yourself—NOT thinking “Oh my god, I’m getting something right now.”

Here are my suggestions for easing the awkwardness factor:

Bring it up in the heat of the moment.
Almost anything sounds hot whispered in someone’s ear as you’re tearing each other’s clothing off. Like “do you have a condom?” Practice in front of the mirror if you must. Which brings me to…

Carry a couple with you.
Once you finally muster up the courage to ask your partner if they have a condom, the last thing you want to hear is “Um…I’ll pull out!” Have one with you and you won’t have that problem. And ladies? It’s not slutty to carry them with you; it’s responsible. What is slutty is hosting an STD carnival in your nether regions. Once you’ve stocked up…

Just whip it out.
The condom, that is. If you just can’t get the words out, taking out a condom sends a pretty clear message. Or, speak up and…

Make it a part of foreplay.
Guys aren’t exactly known for their eagerness when it comes to condoms, so ladies, why not try to make it something to look forward to? On your way home from dinner, just throw in “I wonder if those new Ribbed for Her Pleasure condoms live up to the hype. Care to help me test them out?” I’m betting the answer will be a loud and clear “yes.”

Have fun and be safe. If you think this conversation is awkward, then you definitely won’t like having the “I think you need to get tested” one.