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We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

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Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

#12
post #10

Yeesh 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…

Or, to sum up even more succinctly:

- Government regulations have stifled innovation, thereby making existing products less safe, less comfortable, and less used than they would be otherwise.

In other words, nothing new.

Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

#13
post #9
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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?

Probably not. The FDA controls all drugs and medical devices sold in the US, not just manufactured here.

Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

#14
post #12
post #10

Yeesh 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…

Or, to sum up even more succinctly: - Government regulations have stifled innovation, thereby making existing products less safe, less comfortable, and less used than they would be otherwise. In other words, nothing new.

[deleted]

Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

#15
post #10

Yeesh 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…

I more or less agree with your reading of this. I found it a little curious that the author didn't mention anything about researchers taking a slightly different tack, like the people who designed the Pronto, a South African-designed condom whose application is much faster than a traditional condom. Obviously condom feel is an issue in usage rates, but I suspect that speed/ease of use is at least as important. It's not like condoms take forever to put on, but the process of locating and using one can definitely interrupt the moment.

Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

#17
An article on ebola said that the condom provides 95% protection per use. i.e. a 5% chance of infection anyway each time they are used.

That's basically worthless because after 13 uses there is a 50/50 chance of infecting someone.

They are more effective with HIV only because HIV is not as infective, not because the condom is more effective.

So the problem with the condom is not the design, but that they are not as effective as people think. Couples using them consistently every time still have a good lifetime chance of transmitting HIV if their partner is infected.

Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

#18
post #12
post #10

Yeesh 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…

Or, to sum up even more succinctly: - Government regulations have stifled innovation, thereby making existing products less safe, less comfortable, and less used than they would be otherwise. In other words, nothing new.

That doesn't explain why the innovation didn't happen in, say Somalia, where there are no government regulations to speak of.

Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

#19
post #7

I 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.

Let's start with making them free. Are the medical/abortion costs really lower than providing everyone with unlimited plastic with a little lotion on it?

Re: We Should Have a Better Condom by Now

#20
post #5

I'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?

Currently. I'm sure things will improve as existing drugs are improved and new ones are invented.
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