We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
1–10 of 143 posts
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#2tl;dr?
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#3tl;dr?
The second parenthetical of this sentence sums it up, I'd say.
> He learned how latex condoms are made (by dipping phallic molds into vats of liquid latex, which is peeled off after it dries), and how they are regulated (the Food and Drug Administration considers condoms medical devices and dictates how they are manufactured and labeled).
edit: Main points seem to be that the FDA
- encourages latex, through labeling and testing requirements
- limits the range of sizes of condoms
- tests only vaginal intercourse, there can be no anal-sex specific condoms
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#4tl;dr?
There's actually a lot of interesting facts about the origin/manufacturing of condoms and of the regulatory process/history. I submitted the article because I thought the lead anecdote of the man taking it upon himself to improve it was interesting and inspiring, as it's so often the case that we just tolerate everyday things that could be better...but condoms are an everyday thing tied so closely to love/intimacy as well as having a critical impact on health.
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#5I'd probably worry less about this if PrEP were cheap enough to get without insurance (or wealth). The odds of finding a monogomous (or at least polyfidelitous) partner around here is slim, and I'm not too keen on taking my chances with Grindr. A better condom would alleviate a lot of worries.
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#6[deleted]
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#7I could only imagine the positive impact a noticeable increase in condom usage would bring to the world. I feel like it would be a silent yet very beneficial change if condom usage went up about 10% globally.
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#8I'd probably worry less about this if PrEP were cheap enough to get without insurance (or wealth). The odds of finding a monogomous (or at least polyfidelitous) partner around here is slim, and I'm not too keen on taking my chances with Grindr. A better condom would alleviate a lot of worries.
Doesn't PrEP have serious side-effects?
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#9tl;dr?
The second parenthetical of this sentence sums it up, I'd say. > He learned how latex condoms are made (by dipping phallic molds into vats of liquid latex, which is peeled off after it dries), and how they are regulated (the Food and Drug Administration considers condoms medical devices and dictates how they are manufactured and labeled). edit: Main points seem to be that the FDA - encourages latex, through labeling…
Couldn't Americans import a wider variety from less stuck-up countries?
Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now
#10Yeesh what an overwritten article. I plowed through it because this is relevant to my interests but man this could've been 3 paragraphs. I'll try and sum it up:
-People don't use condoms mostly because they are uncomfortable
-Current condoms are highly suboptimal for anal sex in particular
-Materials other than latex are generally difficult to get to pass FDA tests, and it looks like there is some disagreeing science about why. All condoms seem to be good at blocking pregnancy, some, like polyurethane and lambskin condoms, have disagreeing science about how well they stop the transmission of STDs (including HIV).
-New condoms sometimes get blocked because of somewhat antiquated tests (specifically sizing tests)
Overall there was not a lot of information here. It follows someone named Resnic, loosely, who claims to be making a new revolutionary condom, but who ultimately decides to change his condom back to latex because it's so much easier to manufacture in the US. It's not clear what his key innovations are that will make his condom more useful/comfortable to more people.
Overall the point that a better condom would get more people to use it makes sense, but the article doesn't make the case that one is on the way, or explain what one even would be. Yes, a better material might transmit heat better, but there are obvious downsides, especially with regards to Africa, where STD transmission is the primary concern, not pregnancy.
If there is one conclusion I take from this article it's that if you are in a committed relationship where you are not worried about STD transmission and are primarily concerned about pregnancy prevention, and do not like latex condoms, give lamb skin or polyurethane condoms a shot. Otherwise you're probably best sticking to latex.