Condom

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

Overview

The first efforts at making condoms involved the use of woven fabrics. These were obviously not effective. The earliest effective condoms were made of sheep gut or other animal membrane. These are still available today because of their greater ability to transmit body warmth and tactile sensation, when compared to synthetic condoms, but they are not as effective in preventing pregnancy and disease. Mass production of condoms started in mid-19th century, shortly after the invention of the rubber vulcanization process. Until the 1930s, condoms were made from rubber; they were still quite uncomfortable and expensive (though reusable) and thus only available to small part of population. When latex condoms at last became available in late 1930s, it was a leap forward in effectiveness and affordability. However, 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 come under many aliases such as "rubber sponges". One of the early condom brands was called "Merry Widows".

Related Topics:
Woven - Fabric - Synthetic - Rubber - Vulcanization - Latex - 20th century

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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.

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Early latex condoms were very similar, but later some 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.

Related Topics:
Ejaculated - Semen

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In recent decades, however, condom makers have diversified in colors, sizes and shapes. Flavors or designs thought to have stimulating properties are sometimes added. Such stimulating properties include enlarged tips or pouches to more 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.

Related Topics:
Glans penis - Spermicidal - Lubricant

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Condoms made from natural materials (such as those labeled "lambskin", made from lamb intestines) are not as effective at preventing disease. A few companies are today also making 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.

Related Topics:
Lamb - Intestine - Polyethylene - Polyurethane - Allergy

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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. There is a paradox in contraceptive use of condoms: their theoretical effectiveness is relatively high, but their actual effectiveness is relatively low. This is because many people fail to follow rigorously the proper procedures for condom usage. Even touching the female genitalia with the same (unwashed) hand that removed the condom can potentially cause pregnancy. Furthermore, surveys have shown that many users do not know how to put them on correctly, resulting in bursts and slippages.

Related Topics:
Contraception - Paradox

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Therefore, of themselves, condoms are only moderately reliable as a contraceptive method, but when combined with a spermicide their reliability is comparable to other methods. But even when condom use is combined with another method of contraceptives (such as spermicide or birth control pills), pregnancy is still possible.

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Among their disadvantages, people list that putting them on can interrupt foreplay and lovemaking. (Others who have integrated wearing a condom as part of the entire process for sexual activity, however, do not consider this bothersome.) Because of an obvious barrier of the skins, sensory stimulation is sacrificed (though this effect can be largely overcome by properly applying lubricants internally and externally), causing some people to dismiss condoms as limiting their pleasure. However, a woman can partially solve this problem by training her vaginal muscles, specifically the pubococcygeus. These drawbacks of condoms, among others, are often cited as reasons by those who decide not to use them.

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