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Info and Overview
The technological development of the male condom generally seeks to balance
two sometimes competing aims: conferring protection by maintaining the structural
integrity of condoms and enhancing use by making condom use more pleasurable
for both partners. The most common example of this technological trade-off is
the thickness of a condom, as popular wisdom holds that the thinner condoms
are weaker but more pleasurable than thicker ones.
While the thickness of condoms factors into both strength and comfort, a number
of other technical aspects of condom construction are likely to play a part
as well. The size of the condom is an important variable in condom construction
(as measured by the width of the condom as it is laid flat). A condom that is
too tight may be more difficult to put on and more likely to break during intercourse,
while one that is too loose is more likely to slip off. Internationally condoms
come in a range of sizes, from 47 to 55 millimeters, and recent evidence suggests
that there may be considerable variation in erect penis sizes within and between
populations. Most public sector condoms are 52 53 millimeters
in circumference and 170-180 millimeters long as part of a 'one size fits all'
policy. Although there may be a need for variable condom sizing, particularly
for sexually active youth who may benefit from slightly smaller condom sizes,
there is little understanding of how penis sizes may vary across the
population with age and even less idea of what size condoms are considered the
most comfortable.
Different shapes of condoms are likely to have different characteristics of
strength and comfort. Recent research suggests that condoms, which are loose
by design may allow greater sensation through friction than tighter condoms.
Along these lines, different condom manufacturers are experimenting with a range
of condom shapes to maximize comfort and pleasure.
A third area of development in condom technology is in the materials, which
go into different parts of a packaged condom. Polyurethane male condoms (manufactured
from the same material as the female condom) confer greater strength than their
latex counterparts and avoid problems associated with latex allergies. Other
developments focus on different kinds lubricants which will not compromise the
structural strength of condom; some, such as spermicidal and microbicidal lubricants,
may enhance the protection provided by condoms against pregnancy and sexually
transmitted infections.
Various lubricants can be packaged into the condom during production, producing
a pre-lubricated condom or offered separately for individuals who prefer additional
lubrication. In addition, opaque foil wrappers are likely to delay material
degradation due to light exposure in comparison with translucent plastic packaging.
Nationally and internationally, the demand for condoms is increasing. New thinking
about meeting the growing need for condoms revolves around making condoms more
accessible locally while developing new distribution policies to provide adequate
supplies on a sustainable basis.
New approaches to condom distribution
To satisfy the growing need for condoms, the Department of Health is beginning
to focus its public sector condom distribution in key areas while looking to
other sources of condoms to meet excess demand. The exact course of this 'rationalization'
process is being debated at present, but the most logical approach is to focus
public sector condom distribution on those at increased risk of HIV/AIDS and
STDs as well as those who cannot afford to buy condoms. Such a program would
combine current condom distribution from clinics, with community-based or informal
distribution systems for particular target populations such as sex workers and
sexually active youth. This would be integrated with a greater presence of socially
marketed condoms, which are sold to the public at an affordable cost, subsidized
by international donors.
In order to help shape this rationalization process, a better understanding
is needed of how to best distribute condoms to particular target groups and
how different approaches to condom distribution translate into the proportion
of condoms which are used in sex among various populations. With this information,
it is possible to develop understandings of which approaches to condom distribution
can have the greatest impact on the transmission of HIV/AIDS.
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