Condom

This article is about the contraceptive device. For the town in France, see Condom, France.

Condom
File:Trojan condom.jpg A condom sealed in typical packaging
Background
Type	Barrier
First use	? 16th century Latex late 1930s
Pregnancy rates (first year)
Perfect use	2%
Typical use	15%
Usage
User reminders	Damaged by oil-based lubricants
Advantages and disadvantages
STI protection	Yes
Weight gain	No
Benefits	No external drugs or clinic visits required

A 67 m long "condom" on the Obelisk of Buenos Aires, part of an awareness campaign for the 2005 World AIDS Day

A condom is a device, usually made of latex, or more recently polyurethane, that is used during sexual intercourse. It is put on the male partner's penis, for the purpose of preventing pregnancy and/or transmission of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) such as gonorrhea, syphilis and HIV.

Condoms are also known as prophylactics, as well as a number of colloquial or slang terms, such as "rubbers", "jimmy hats", "rain coats", "Hazmat Suits", and "love gloves". They are also sometimes used to increase pleasure by those who prefer the sensation of sex with condoms.

Overview

Latex condoms are packaged in a rolled-up form, and are designed to be applied to the tip of the penis and then rolled over the erect penis. They have a "right side" and a "wrong side" when rolled up, and the first thing the user must do is to determine which side is which before attempting to apply them. Any touching of the penis to the wrong side of the rolled-up condom before application potentially contaminates the outside with bodily fluid, defeating the condom's purpose.

An unrolled latex condom

File:Condoms by Morrhigan.jpg

Condoms in many colors

In recent decades, condom makers have diversified in colors, sizes and shapes, and thicknesses. Flavors or designs thought to have stimulating properties are sometimes added. Such stimulating properties include enlarged tips or pouches to fit the glans penis better and textured surfaces such as ribbing or studs (small bumps). Many condoms have spermicidal lubricant added, but it is not an effective substitute for separate spermicide use.

File:McCondom dsc06781.jpg

An example of flavoured condoms

Condoms made from one of the oldest condoms materials, labeled "lambskin" (made from lamb intestines) are still available. They have a greater ability to transmit body warmth and tactile sensation, when compared to synthetic condoms, and are less allergenic than latex. However, they are not as effective at preventing disease. A few companies today also make condoms from polyethylene and polyurethane, expected to be as effective as, but less tested than, latex. These condoms have the advantage of being compatible with oil-based lubricants. They can also be used by people who have a latex allergy.

As a method of contraception, condoms have the advantage of being easy to use, having few side-effects, and of offering protection against sexually transmitted diseases. With typical use, condoms have an 85% success rate per year in regard to preventing pregnancy – but with proper knowledge and application technique, the success rate climbs to over 98%, with near-total success when combined with a vaginal spermicide or oral contraception.

Disadvantages

• Many complain that putting them on can interrupt foreplay and lovemaking, although some people have integrated wearing a condom as part of the entire process for sexual activity.[1] (This doesn't apply to female condoms, which can be put on 8 hours prior to sex.)
• Because of an obvious barrier of the skins, sensory stimulation is sacrificed, especially with older style thicker condoms, causing some people to dismiss condoms as limiting their pleasure (though this effect can be largely overcome by properly applying lubricants internally and externally). However, a woman can partially solve this problem by training her vaginal muscles, specifically the pubococcygeus.

Physical properties of latex condoms

The type of synthetic rubber or latex used in the manufacture of condoms has outstanding elastic properties. Tensile strength exceeds 30 MNm^-2. Condoms may be stretched in excess of 800% before breaking. Condoms may be freely colored, and their surfaces textured. Condoms can be made to custom shapes, such as an enlarged "head" or in novelties have tentacles, or other features for clitoral stimulation. Condoms come in many sizes to accommodate all different sizes of penis. [2] Such as large, small and tight fitted (the word 'small' is usually avoided as a marketing strategy ).

Natural latex can be cured to be 0.046 mm in thickness, while polyurethane can be set at 0.02 mm thickness. In 1990 the ISO set standards for production (ISO 4074, Natural latex rubber condoms) and the EU followed suit with its CEN standard (Directive 93/42/EEC concerning medical devices).
Condoms are tested with an electrical current for holes. If the condom passes, it is rolled and packaged. Batches of condoms are tested for breakage with air inflation tests (Nordenberg T. (1998) 'Condoms: barriers to bad news', FDA Consumer Magazine, March-April). Condoms are evaluated for their ability to form barriers against the pathogens that can cause various sexually transmitted infections which can be vastly smaller than sperm. The average dimensions of a condom are: Length: 190 mm, circumference: 52 mm, thickness: 0.07 mm. Thickness for a condom is a tricky issue, as the condom is thicker at the head than on the shaft in many cases.

Duron/Polyurethane versus latex

Advantages:

Polyurethane can be considered better than latex in several ways:

• It conducts heat better than latex
• It lasts longer in storage
• It does not degrade in oil-based lubricants, also it does not degrade as readily as latex
• It is suitable for those with latex allergies. Polyurethane is widely used in internal medicine such as artificial hearts, pumps, and blood vessel catheters.
• Polyurethane condoms have no smell, unlike latex condoms
• Polyurethane condoms are smoother than latex ones
• Unlike latex condoms, which must be stored at a reduced temperature range to avoid degradation, polyurethane condoms have no such requirements

Disadvantages:

• Clinical failure (breaks and slippage, together) of polyurethane show significantly higher rates over latex use.
• It is more expensive than standard latex condoms.
• It may not be as effective in protecting against STDs. This uncertainty comes from lack of testing.

Effectiveness

In preventing pregnancy

The effectiveness of condoms, as of most forms of contraception, can be assessed two ways: method effectiveness and actual effectiveness. The method effectiveness is the proportion of couples correctly and consistently using the method who do not become pregnant. Actual effectiveness is the proportion of couples who intended that method as their sole form of birth control and do not become pregnant; it includes couples who sometimes use the method incorrectly, or sometimes not at all. Rates are generally presented for the first year of use. Most commonly the Pearl Index is used to calculate effectiveness rates, but some studies use life tables.

For all forms of contraception, actual effectiveness is lower than method effectiveness, due to several factors:

• mistakes on the part of those providing instructions on how to use the method
• mistakes on the part of the method's users
• conscious user non-compliance with method.

For instance, someone using oral forms of hormonal birth control might be given incorrect information by a health care provider as to the frequency of intake, or by mistake not take the pill one day, or simply not bother to go to the pharmacy on time to renew the prescription.

The method failure rate of condoms is between 2-3%. The actual pregnancy rates among condoms users vary depending on the population being studied, with rates of 10-18% per year being reported.

In preventing STDs

According to a 2001 report by the National Institutes of Health, correct and consistent use of latex condoms:

• reduces the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission by approximately 85% relative to risk when unprotected. See overall HIV transmission rates.
• reduces the risk of gonorrhea for men by approximately 71% relative to risk when unprotected.

A University of Washington study published in the New England Journal of Medicine in June 2006 reports that proper condom use decreases the risk of transmission for human papilloma virus by approximately 70%.

Contraceptive Technology concluded that condom failure due to breakage and leakage amounted to 8.08 percent per sexual encounter.

Other studies have shown that the proper and consistent use of condoms prevented HIV from spreading from an infected partner to a non-infected partner in every case.

While different studies show a wide range of results, every scientific study verifies that engaging in sex with a STD positive partner without a condom increases the chances of transmitting an STD when compared to sex with a condom.

Other sexually-transmitted infections may be affected as well, but they could not draw definite conclusions from the research they were working with. In particular, these include STIs associated with ulcerative lesions that may be present on body surfaces where the condom doesn't cover, such as genital herpes simplex (HSV), chancroid, and syphilis. If contact is made with uncovered lesions, transmission of these STIs may still occur despite appropriate condom use. Additionally, the absence of visible lesions or symptoms cannot be used to decide whether caution is needed.

An article in The American Journal of Gynecologic Health showed that "all women who correctly and consistently used Reality® were protected from Trichomonas vaginalis" (referring to a particular brand of female condom).

Causes of failure

Further information: [[:Use of male condoms on Wikibooks]]

Among couples that use condoms for birth control, pregnancy may occur when the couple does not use a condom. The couple may have run out of condoms, or be traveling and not have a condom with them, or simply dislike the feel of condoms and decide to "take a chance."

Condoms may fail due to damage (such as tears caused when opening the package), bursting caused by latex degradation (typically from being past the expiration date or being stored improperly), and from slipping off the penis during intercourse or after ejaculation. Sometimes pregnancy may result even without an obvious failure at the time of use.

While standard condoms will fit almost any penis, some men may find that use of 'snug' or 'magnum' condoms decreases the risk of slippage, leaking, and bursting.

Experienced condom users are significantly less likely to have a condom slip or break compared to first-time users, although users who experience one failure are at increased risk of a second failure. It is believed that instruction in proper condom use also reduces failure rates.

Another possible cause of condom failure is sabotage. One motive is to have a child against a partner's wishes, known to be done by men and women alike. Saboteurs usually pierce the condom's tip multiple times before intercourse. As this can result in pregnancies unwanted by one of the participants, it is generally seen as a deceitful and unethical act.

Health issues

Carcinogenic nitrosamines have been discovered in 29 out of 32 condom brands tested by the Chemical and Veterinary Investigation Institute in Stuttgart. However, there have been no studies linking the use of condoms to an increased risk of cancer and a 2001 study from the University of Kiel concluded that humans regularly receive 1,000 to 10,000 times greater nitrosamine exposure from food and tobacco than from condom use and concluded that the risk of cancer from condom use is very low.

Some lubricated condoms are produced with dusting powders, such as talc, which aren't recommended by the University of Virginia School of Medicine for surgery because of "acute & chronic problems" that may arise if the powders find their way into the abdominal cavity (i.e. via the vagina).

Condoms lubricated with the spermicide Nonoxynol-9 may increase the user's risk of contracting the HIV virus and other sexually transmitted diseases. For this reason, Planned Parenthood has discontinued the distribution of condoms so lubricated, and the Food and Drug Administration has proposed a warning regarding this issue.

Latex condoms used with oil-based lubricants (e.g. vaseline) are likely to break due to rapid deterioration caused by the oils.

Female condoms

Female condom

Recently "female condoms" or "femidoms" (not to be confused with femdoms) have become available. They are larger and wider than male condoms but equivalent in length. Female condoms have a flexible ring-shaped opening, and are designed to be inserted into the vagina. The female condom also contains an inner ring which aids insertion and helps keep the condom in place inside the vagina. Inserting the female condom requires squeezing this ring. Sales of female condoms have been disappointing in developed countries, though developing countries are increasingly using them to complement already existing family planning and HIV/AIDS programming.

Probable causes for poor sales are that inserting the female condom is a skill that has to be learned and that female condoms can be significantly more expensive than male condoms (upwards of 2 or 3 times the cost). Also, reported "rustling" sounds during intercourse turn off some potential users, as does the visibility of the outer ring which remains outside the vagina. The rustling noise can be mitigated by the application of lubricant. This type of condom is made from polyurethane, though newer iterations are made from nitrile.

In September 2005, the primary global manufacturer of female condoms — the Female Health Company of Chicago, Illinois — announced the introduction of a second-generation FC2 Female Condom made from nitrile. The Female Health Company noted that the second-generation nitrile female condom performs statistically the same as its polyurethane precursor in preventing the transmission of HIV, sexually transmitted infections, and unintended pregnancy. The nitrile female condom has also been designed to mitigate the "rustling" noise that some consumers have attributed to the polyurethane female condom. The nitrile material of the second-generation female condom will also allow for significant reductions in female condom pricing because it can be produced with a new manufacturing process that allows for efficient economies of scale when made in mass quantities.

On November 22, 2005, the World YWCA issued an international Call to Action for the Female Condom that called on national health ministries and international donors to commit to purchasing 180 million female condoms for global distribution in 2006 The World YWCA statement, which was signed by General Secretary Musimbi Kanyoro and World YWCA affiliates in six African nations, claimed that "Female condoms remain the only tool for HIV prevention that women can initiate and control," but that they remain virtually inaccessible to women in the developing world due to their high unit cost of 72 cents per female condom. The World YWCA claimed that if the global public health sector will commit to buying at least 180 million female condoms in bulk, the price of the female condom will immediately decline by more than two-thirds — to 22 cents per female condom. Currently, only 14 million female condoms are distributed to women in the developing world on an annual basis. By comparison, between 6 and 9 billion male condoms are distributed per annum.

Female condoms have the advantage of being compatible with oil-based lubricants as they are not made of latex."The Product". FC & FC2 Female Condom. Female Health Company. 2005. Retrieved 2006-08-03.</ref> The external genitals of the wearer and the base of the penis of the inserting partner are more protected than when the male condom is used. Inserting a female condom does not require male erection.

The instructions for use of female condoms are of necessity different from those of male condoms, since they are inserted rather than worn, and designed to drape around the penis, rather than to fit tightly over it. They are as follows:

• The condom should be removed carefully from the packaging;
• The small inner ring should be squeezed closed;
• The inner ring should be pushed into the vagina, the outer ring remaining outside;
• The penis should be guided through the outer ring to ensure that it is not pushed aside.
• Before removing the condom, the outer ring should be squeezed and twisted (while the wearer is still lying down, if applicable) to ensure that semen does not leak out of the pouch. Pull to remove the condom.
• Any "rustling" can be counteracted by applying extra lubricant to the inside of the condom; this is also the course of action to take if the outer ring is pulled into the vagina during intercourse.

Effectiveness and Risks of Female Condoms

The typical use failure rate for the first-generation female condoms lies at 21%. This means that of women who intend to use females condoms as their only form of birth control, 21 out of 100 will become pregnant within one year. Among women who use the condom correctly at every act of intercourse, 5% will become pregnant after one year.

The effectiveness of the female condom at preventing STDs has not been studied to the same extent as male condoms, however it has been put forth that it should have similar effectiveness. They also are dangerous for those who have polyurethane allergies.

Invisible Condom

The Invisible Condom, developed at Universite Laval in Quebec, Canada, is a gel that hardens upon increased temperature after insertion into the vagina or rectum. In the lab, it has been shown to effectively block HIV and herpes simplex virus. The barrier breaks down and liquefies after several hours.The invisible condom is in the clinical trial phase, and has not been approved for use yet. http://www.clinicaltrials.gov/ct/gui/show/NCT00136643?order=6

Religious attitudes concerning the use of condoms

Main article: Religious and cultural attitudes toward birth control

Condoms and other mechanisms of contraception, along with abortion, are condemned by the Roman Catholic Church, some Protestant denominations, and many Hindus for moral reasons relating to their beliefs regarding the purpose of the sexual faculty. Opinions of Orthodox Christian bishops, Jewish authorities, Muslims, Buddhists, and other Protestant denominations vary on the matter.

Religious condemnation of contraception is usually based on the belief that sex has both a procreative and a unitative aspect, and that an attempt to restrict the number of children a couple has is in opposition to God's divine plan. Natural family planning (NFP) methods such as the Billings or sympto-thermal methods are often accepted by religious groups that condemn artificial methods.

Religious approval is often based on the belief that the choice of contraceptive use lies with individual conscience, or is not significantly different from natural family planning to warrant condemnation; while other religious authorities view contraception from the angle of stewardship of the Earth, viewing overpopulation abatement as part of good stewardship and contraception (including limiting sexual activity) as serving this purpose.

Groups such as Planned Parenthood, which advocate family planning and sexual education, argue that religious opposition interferes with attempts to teach about condoms, which they see as a necessity to help prevent unwanted pregnancies and the spread of STDs. At the same time, religious opponents of condoms often oppose publicly funded contraceptive education or the availability of contraceptives at schools. Their reasons include a belief that education in sexuality should be taught at home and that sexual education programs should exclusively teach abstinence, though a recent study critical of abstinence-only education found that the rate of STD in virginity pledgers was comparable to the rate found in non-pledgers. Other religious groups do not oppose contraceptive education outright but want abstinence to be the primary content of such programs.

Prevalence

Condoms are more accessible in developed countries. In various cultures, a number of social or economic factors make access to condoms prohibitive. In some cases, cultural beliefs may cause some persons to shun condoms deliberately even when they are available.

Furthermore, regardless of culture and availability, many men shun condoms simply because they dislike using them. This dislike may be due to reduced sexual pleasure or to practical problems, e.g. difficulty in sustaining an erection hard enough for effective condom use.

Because they are generally available without a prescription, and because they have some effectiveness in reducing the spread of sexually transmitted disease, condoms tend to be especially popular among younger men, those who are not in exclusive partnerships, and newly-formed monogamous couples. Often, once a steady relationship has deepened, the woman will begin to use the Pill or some other type of highly effective contraceptive, at which time condom use typically (though not always) comes to an end. Ideally, however, this should not occur until blood tests have shown both partners to be free of infection.

Most research has revealed, through survey, four factors which establish the minimal use of condoms: various encumbering beliefs, reduced sexual pleasure, adverse experiences, and fears related to gender and tensions. New technology and beneficial studies have come forth that combat these various factors, however only a small proportion of individuals world-wide actually practice safe sex. This noticeable gap has lead several investigators to analyze whether social factors might be involved such as a residual social stigma attached to condoms.

In broad detail, social factors range from geographical location to race, and become as specified as methamphetamine versus non-drug users, so correlations within this research are not always strong and accurate, but it does establish that correlations do exist.

Geographic location

Several regions provide examples of social factors influencing the use of condoms within their populace. Two examples which contrast the effects of similar problems are South Africa and rural Lebanon.

Unfortunately, South Africa has some of the highest HIV rates in the world, so there the statistics on condom use are being studied heavily. As of 2001, the 21-25 year age group has the peak rate of infection at 43.1%. These studies became more specified and it was discovered that despite all the information known today about HIV and the spread of infection, many young people of the study did not feel that they were in danger of contracting this disease. In fact, only 30% of people, males and females, felt they had any risk of contracting HIV at all. Of those that said they felt there was any chance of contracting HIV, only 12.9% thought there was a moderate chance, and 17.6% thought they had a good chance of infection. It seems that even though the youth of South Africa do have a relatively high level of knowledge concerning the risk factors of getting HIV, many feel that it simply won't happen to them. Many of the factors found in South Africa apply to well developed countries of the world and these new findings hopefully will help shape future campaigns against decreased condom use in the future.

Another end of the spectrum are the rural areas of Lebanon in the Middle East. Generally, the use of condoms and other forms of contraceptives in the Middle East is low even though there is a growing awareness of sexually transmitted diseases and HIV/AIDS. A study revealed that only twenty-four percent of the women in the regions ever used a condom. A household survey was also done on condom use which found that ninety-eight percent of women had indeed heard of contraceptive methods, but only eighty-five percent of the women had heard of condoms. Some things to keep in mind also are that women in this culture are not expected to have knowledge or express openly knowledge of contraceptives or even sexuality. Also some background that is needed on the group surveyed is that the marital fertility rate of the surveyed women were about five children per woman, and each of the women had a different level of education. About sixty-one percent had intermediate-level education, twenty percent had a primary education, and eighteen percent had trouble reading or could not read at all. This provides evidence that condom use varies dependant on social factors like the area’s cultural background and education.

It should be noted that largely the variances in geographical location are highly affected by culture and cultural beliefs, as well as class and race, but also have dynamic influences resounding from economic yield for the area, use and expansion of communication, and other criteria. These social factors can again be examined in South Africa and rural Lebanon:

An example is that in South Africa, it was discovered that condom availability is a problem for young adults. Although condoms are given away by local clinics, many participants stated that there are instances when they found themselves without condoms because they never know when they are going to need one. Thus, this higher economic region has properly developed health services; they are just not being properly utilized by the public.

Opposing in the lower economic region of rural Lebanon, another reason for the lack of condom use is that public health services and family planning services are very inadequately developed. A health service that is trying to help is the Lebanese Family Planning Association but their funding is very limited and recently they have not been able to increase its budget to promote more complete reproductive health service.

Despite these specific social factors contributing to the differences between these regions and others, most research has identified issues such as trust and gender power in relationships and others as socially relevant to almost all countries worldwide.

Drug use

Condom use among injection drugs users is low. One study found that only 99 of 699 male Out-of-Treatment Injection Drug Users (OTIDUs) participating in the study reported always using a condom. Of the 232 women OTIDUs, 22 claimed their male partner always used a condom. Methamphetamine in particular has been associated with even lower use of condoms, however. When the same study was restricted to methamphetamine users only, condom use rates dropped to a mere one third and one fourth of the above statistics, respectively.

Anti-condom trends

Studies have shown baby boomers are increasingly contracting sexually transmitted infections because they choose not to wear condoms. Many have been married, and separated, and now have random sexual partners. Several reasons for this choice are given. Since the women are no longer capable of conceiving children, they do not see the large risk in not protecting themselves, and thus the importance of a condom becomes minimal. Also, since many of them have just come out of a long term relationship, they are starting over and they are too uncomfortable with their new partner to ask them to use a condom.

The practice of barebacking in Western gay culture is another example of a trend away from condoms. Barebacking partners often know that they could reduce their risk of sexually-transmitted infection by using a condom, but choose not to.

Laws and policies restricting condoms

Ireland

In Ireland, condoms (and other contraceptives) were originally available only to those with a doctors prescription in Ireland, which was later lifted to being available only to those over the age of 18 in pharmacies in 1985. Sale outside of pharmacies was only legalised in 1993, although stores such as the Virgin Megastore had in fact been selling them openly since 1988. The age limitations were also removed in 1993.

Philippines

The Philippines is a predominantly Roman Catholic nation, and the Catholic Church is a powerful force in Philippine politics. The Church teaches that only natural family planning methods are moral ways to prevent pregnancy, and opposes promotion of condoms for any purpose.

While condoms are legal in the Philippines, the government will not promote them or pay for their distribution. As of 2004, several local officials - including the mayor of Manila - had banned distribution of condoms in government health facilities, and some locations even ban government health workers from discussing condoms.

Somalia

In 2003, it became illegal under Islamic Sharia law to sell or use condoms in Somalia. The punishments for violating this law may include flogging.

Environmental impact

While biodegradable, latex condoms have been known to have a negative impact on the environment if improperly disposed of. It is estimated that 61 million to 100 million condoms are improperly disposed of in Britain alone, often ending up in rivers, or the ocean. According to the Ocean Conservancy these condoms cover the coral reefs, and smothers sea grass and other bottom dwellers. The EPA also has expressed concerns that many animals might mistake this litter as food and eat it.

Polyethylene condoms aren't biodegradable, and there have been no studies to determine if lubricated condoms take longer to biodegrade than non-lubricated ones, but it is believed that that their landfill mass is negligible.

Etymology

Folk etymology claims, without historical support, that the word "condom" is derived from a purported "Dr. Condom" or "Quondam", who made the devices for King Charles II of England. Other than through unverifiable folk stories, there is no evidence that any such "Dr. Condom" existed. Other stories tell the word "condom" has its root in the 16th century: in particular, when Catherine de Medici married Henry II of France, she brought to France her minister Gondi and the architect Bernardo Buontalenti. Gondi and Buontalenti started producing special waxed protections to be used as condoms. The French soon called them "gondon"; "gondone" is today still used as a synonym of "condom" in Genova, Italy; "goldoni", another variation, is still used in Milan, Italy. It may be that the word "condom" is a variation of "gondon".

It is also hypothesized that a British army officer named Cundum popularized the device between 1680 and 1717.

"French letter"

There are alternative etymologies for the condom:

1. Condom is sometimes considered a clinical expression, it is in fact intimately linked to the history of this fascinating item. In Britain a condom is also known as a French letter, much like the colloquial German word for a condom, "Pariser". English seventeenth century tourists, travelling through France on their pilgrimage to the center of ancient culture that was Rome, came across the town of Condom in southwestern France. It is said that there they made contact with ingenious French shepherds who were making prophylactics from sheep gut. A trade then ensued, whereby the English gentry would eagerly await their letters from France - French Letters - with a fresh supply of condoms. The French aristocracy then learned of these useful items from their English friends and called them "Capote Anglaise" - English Raincoats. Thus the condom came full circle, being made in France, being used in London, latterly in Paris, and finally being adopted by the Germans as a Pariser.

2. The English phrase "French letter" expresses the old image (or prejudice) that anything coming from France is decadent and has to do with sex. According to British military history, a Britain's Royal Guards Colonel named Condum, in seventeenth century (when Anglo-French enmity was at its mutual height) devised the French letter to protect his troops from the French by using it.

History

A condom made from animal hide circa 1900

The oldest known depiction of a condom being used during sexual intercourse is a 12,000 - 15,000 years old cave painting in France. The second oldest depiction is roughly 3,000 years old, and was found in Egypt. It is unknown, however, if the Egyptian pictured wearing the device intended to use it for contraception, or for ritual purposes.

The oldest condoms found (rather than just pictures) are from 1640, discovered in Dudley Castle in England. They were made of animal intestine, and it believed they were used for STD prevention.

Linen condoms were worn by Casanova in the 18th century. These were not effective, as both disease-carrying viruses as well as sperm could fit between the woven fibers.

Mass production of condoms started shortly after 1843, when the rubber vulcanization process was invented. Rubber condoms were relatively thick and, though reusable, expensive. When latex condoms became available in late 1930s, it was a leap forward in effectiveness and affordability.

Later some condoms came to have reservoir tips to contain ejaculated semen. One relatively early innovation, the "short cap", only covered the head of the penis. These were not useful condoms, as there was still contact between the partners' genitals, and bodily fluids could easily spill out of the cap.

Before the middle of the 20th century, many places outlawed the sale of condoms, and many subsequently allowed their sale "only for the prevention of disease". During this ban, they were illegally sold under many aliases such as "latex sponges". One of the early condom brands was called "Merry Widows".

Other uses for condoms

• Condoms have been used to waterproof boxes of matches and kindling, often by hikers and campers.
• In WWII, the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and most recently in Iraq the U.S. military instructed its soldiers to place a non-lubricated condom around the muzzle of the rifle barrel in order to prevent moisture, sand, rain, etc. from fouling the weapon without hindering a bullet in case of firing.
• Another WWII use was by the crews of long-distance bombers. Because the planes often didn't have toilet facilities condoms could be used to hold urine. It was common practice to throw the filled condoms from the plane whilst at altitude over enemy territory.
• During WWII, the OSS used condoms for a plethora of applications, from storing corrosive fuel additives and wire garrotes (with the T-handles removed) to holding the acid component of a self-destructing film canister, to finding use in improvised explosives. Condoms excel as multipurpose containers because they are waterproof, elastic, durable, and will not arouse suspicion if found.
• Condoms can be used to hold water in emergency survival situations. The British SAS carry condoms as a method for carrying water in these emergencies.
• Condoms have also been used in many cases to smuggle cocaine and other drugs across borders and into prisons either by filling the condom with drugs, tying it in a knot and then either swallowing it or inserting it into the rectum. These methods are very dangerous as if the condom breaks the drugs inside can cause an overdose.
• In his book entitled Last Chance to See, Douglas Adams reported having used a condom to protect a microphone he used to make an underwater recording. According to one of his travelling companions, this is standard BBC practice for when a waterproof microphone is needed but cannot be procured.
• Foot travelers in South America wear condoms when wading through water to prevent a small catfish known as candirú from swimming into the urethra. The fish is attracted to the scent of blood and urine.
• In movies like The Incredible Shrinking Man, condoms filled with water are a cheap way to simulate giant raindrops.
• In films and on tv, condoms are often used as containers for fake blood on actors, burst open when shooting gory scenes such as a character getting shot.

See also

Safe sex Durex LifeStyles Trojan Condoms

Condomi State of Louisiana v. Frisard Male oral contraceptive Something for the weekend

External links

• Information on condoms and condom use — from Planned Parenthood of America
• Fact sheet on condoms and sexually transmitted diseases — from the US Center for Disease Control.
• Condom use — in French, but with many pictures. (Contains, perhaps obviously, male nudity.)
• History of Condoms - Brief summary of the history of condoms.
• How to Use Condom- Movie guide On how to put on a condom correctly.
• Condoms – An Overview — History and production.
• Thick Condoms No Safer