“Look at you looking for a condom and like how it’s ruining the mood” (Batchelder, 2025a). On October 24th, 2025, influencer Hallie Batchelder posted a controversial clip from her podcast, “Extra Dirty”, sharing that she got “the ick” when a sexual partner suggested using condoms to practice responsible sex (Batchelder, 2025a). Many viewers quickly pointed out how dangerous this message was, including fellow influencer Clarke Peoples who shared that “it’s not a mood killer to try and protect yourself, the person you’re sleeping with, or your future children by using a condom. The mood killer is finding out that you have an incurable disease” (Peoples, 2025). Despite the backlash, Hallie posted another TikTok on October 25th, 2025, to her 650,000+ followers doubling down on her anti-condom stance (Batchelder, 2025b).

Unfortunately, Hallie isn’t alone in how she thinks about condoms. Her comments echo real misconceptions and barriers that stop many young adults from using them. Let’s unpack her main claims and see what the research actually says.

1.     Condoms “Ruin The Mood”

The core of Hallie’s claim is that condoms “kill the vibe”, a feeling many young adults share. In one study, participants described condoms as an annoying interruption that disrupts the natural build-up to penetrative sex and orgasm (Bruan, 2013). While the act of pausing to grab and put on a condom can feel awkward, it doesn’t have to! Partners putting condoms on each other, keeping up dirty talk, or continuing touching while the condom goes on can allow for condom use to be a part of the sexual script (Planned Parenthood, 2024). Being prepared also helps; keeping a condom close by before things get exciting can make the transition quick and natural (Planned Parenthood, 2024). Condoms don’t have to “ruin the mood” — they can be part of it!

2.     A Condom Isn’t Necessary If Hormonal Birth Control Is Being Used

Hallie also says that she doesn’t need condoms because she has a “stronger IUD than, like, Zeus” (Batchelder, 2025a). Relying on other forms of contraception to replace condoms is very common. In a study of 15- to 24-year olds who didn’t use condoms, nearly half said it was because they were using another method of contraception, such as oral contraceptive pills (Rotermann et al., 2020). The problem is that while IUDs and oral contraceptives are effective at lowering the risk of pregnancy, they do not protect against sexually transmitted infections (STIs; Deese et al., 2018), a serious concern given the rise of STIs in many regions (World Health Organization, 2024). Reframing condoms as a both-and rather than an either-or option provides peace of mind for pregnancy and STIs, creating space for genuinely worry-free sex!

3.     Requesting to Use a Condom Means You Think Your Partner Sleeps Arounds

Finally, Hallie shared that she takes offence when someone asks to use a condom, saying, “…are you calling me a whore and are you trying to protect yourself from STDs I might have?” (Batchelder, 2025a). This reflects the misconception that wanting protection is the same as accusing a partner of being promiscuous. In reality, people request condoms to protect themselves and their partners (Farrington, 2016). Even if someone only has one sexual partner, they can still contract an STI, and many people have no obvious symptoms (Gordon, 2024). With this in mind, condoms are an act of care, not an act of distrust.

So… Are Condoms Really The Ick?

The short answer is no! Despite Hallie’s arguments, research and logic tell us that condoms do not only keep us reliably safe, but they show care for the person you are sleeping with. Plus, condoms can make for some great fun!

Anonymous, Psychology ’26, Queen’s University

References

Batchelder, H [extradirty]. (2025a, October 24). it’s a no from me [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@exxtradirty/video/7564807544313531662?_r=1&_t=ZS-91UZ4V7Hkie

Batchelder, H. [halliebatchelder]. (2025b, October 26). Oopsies [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@halliebatchelder/video/7565237161532984589?lang=en

Braun, V. (2013). ‘Proper sex without annoying things’: Anti-condom discourse and the ‘nature’ of (hetero)sex. Sexualities, 16(3-4). doi.org/10.1177/1363460713479752

Deese, J., Pradhan, S., Goetz, H., & Morrison, C. (2018). Contraceptive use and the risk of sexually transmitted infection: systematic review and current perspectives. Open Access Journal of Contraception, 9, 91-112. doi.org/10.2147/OAJC.S135439

Farrington, E. M., Bell, D. C., & DiBacco, A. E. (2016). Reasons people give for using (or not using) condoms. AIDS and Behavior, 20, 2850-2862. doi.org/10.1007/s10461-016-1352-7

Gordon, L. P. (2024, January). Should I Worry About Getting an STD? KidsHealth. https://kidshealth.org/en/teens/std-odds.html#:~:text=Even%20if%20someone%20has%20had,unprotected%20sex%20with%20different%20partners.

Peoples, C [claaaarke]. (2025, October 26). there’s nothing cute or funny about shaming safe sex especially when reproductive health and healthcare at large are under attack [Video]. TikTok. https://www.tiktok.com/@claaaarke/video/7565512549915987255?lang=en

Planned Parenthood. (2024, March 29). How do you use condoms and other barriers without totally killing the vibe? Planned Parenthood. https://www.plannedparenthood.org/blog/how-do-you-use-condoms-and-other-barriers-without-totally-killing-the-vibe

Rottermann, M., & Mckay, A. (2020). Sexual behaviours, condom use and other contraceptive methods among 15- to 24-year-olds in Canada. Health Reports, 31(9), 1-11. DOI:10.25318/82-003-x202000900001-eng

World Health Organization. (2024, May 21). New report flags major increase in sexually transmitted infections, amidst challenges in HIV and hepatitis. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news/item/21-05-2024-new-report-flags-major-increase-in-sexually-transmitted-infections—amidst-challenges-in-hiv-and-hepatitis#:~:text=In%202022%2C%20the%20Seventy%2Dfifth,for%20the%20period%202022%2D2030