Of course, safe sex should not be awkward and if done with two creative people can be fun.

If it is awkward there is shame or fear which means talking is necessary to move forward, and this fear goes both ways.

If a guy doesn't feel comfortable, he should slow down, and there is nothing wrong with doing so. If he is shamed for it or for concerns in execution of safe sex, then this is a problem in which intimacy should be stepped back.

My POV was from her article view.