Condom sales soar as Covid restrictions are lifted

Condom sales have skyrocketed on both sides of the Atlantic in the past few months—and we fully approve. 

As Covid-19 restrictions ease and the vaccine rollout speeds up in the US and UK, it looks like people everywhere are desperate to get back to socializing—in the sheets, that is. While there's absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of self-pleasure (all hail rabbit vibrators), nothing can beat the feeling of some good old-fashioned human canoodling. 

Condoms have been flying off the shelves in the US, with sales increasing by over 23% from March 2021 to April 2021. CVS, the country's largest drug store, revealed that they have experienced a 'substantial growth' in condom sales in the past few weeks. Walgreens, the second biggest pharmacy in the US, has enjoyed a rise in sales of the disposable contraceptive too.

The UK has also seen a major spike in online purchases of condoms, with Superdrug's sales for the rubber contraceptives jumping by 65%. Other sexual health products like lube, STI testing kits, and emergency contraception have also become more popular in the past month. Superdrug believes these sales will continue to grow in the build-up to June 21, the government's scheduled date for the final day of lockdown. 

More from woman&home:
• Best yoga mats for beginners, better balance, meditation, and high-impact moves
• Best fitness trackers to help you monitor your health, fitness and sleep
• Comfortable non-wired bras with stylish and supportive styles for all bust sizes

This recent inflation of condom sales is no surprise. Covid-19 restrictions have affected countless people's sex lives, impacting single individuals and couples living apart in particular. Now that it's safe to hook up again, many people are putting down their vibrators (temporarily!) and dialing up the in-person intimacy. 

Ruby Rare, a sex educator and body-positive advocate, explains why we're so hungry to jump back into bed again. "We’re craving that sense of freedom, of getting outside our bubbles and meeting new people for all forms of connection, including sex," she tells Metro UK. 

The lovemaking expert also emphasizes the importance of sex for our health and wellbeing, especially after a year in lockdown. The chronic lack of physical contact hasn't been great for our self-esteem, leaving many of us "touch-starved." 

Luckily, we've had plenty of time to research the best sex positions during the downtime, and are more than prepared to put them into practice. 

"We’re also ready to have fun and sex is a wonderful way to tap into that, which isn’t emphasized nearly enough."