What can hold up to four quarts of liquid, was formerly made out of animal intestines, and is mandatory in order to have legal sex in Nevada? You guessed it: the condom. This year, spice up your traditional Valentine’s Day routine of roses and chocolate with some fun condom facts, in celebration of the twenty-eighth annual National Condom Week.
The condom is no novelty. Barrier methods of contraception have been around for thousands of years; the ancient Egyptians are believed to have used a version of condom crafted out of linen. Though the true birth of the word condom is unknown, most believe it is either drawn from the Latin root condos (meaning receptacle) or that it is named after Dr. Condom who, during the reign of Charles II of England, fashioned the device out of animal gut for his promiscuous King. Our first published account of the condom comes to us from Europe, where a linen sheath and drawstring were used as protection against the rampant spread of syphilis.
How did we get from lamb innards to latex? During the 1800s, mass production of condoms began with the discovery of vulcanization, a process by which rubber is cured. By the middle of the 20th century, Ohio was the pioneer in the production of latex, and Durex was just a few years away from introducing the lubricated condom in the UK. Now, condoms have been converted into a true American consumer product, with every imaginable color, flavor, fabric, and size available for purchase.
By the time we arrive at college, many of us have had a chance to try our hand at applying a condom. Practice is essential to mastering the art of condom application and removal. In the absence of a real penis, grab that wooden model or piece of phallic fruit and give it a go!
In A Guide to Getting It On, author Paul Joannides offers a few pointers for effective condom application. First, be sure the condom did not just emerge from its decade-old storage place in the depths of your glove compartment or jeans butt pocket. Condoms need to be stored in a cool, dry place, and used by their advertised expiration date in order to be most effective.
Second, give the tip of the condom a good squeeze while unrolling it. This prevents the formation of air pockets that can increase the likelihood of breakage, and also provides a final resting spot for those slimy sperm. Joannides also emphasizes how useful lubrication can be both when applying a condom and during sex.
“As long as you’ve got the lube handy, it never hurts to put a dab on the head of your penis before throwing the condom over it,” Joannides said. “Along with your precum, this will help the head of your penis get an extra ride with each stroke, as it slides against the condom material.”
When slathered on the outside of a condom, lube can help prevent some icky consequences of latex burn, such as vaginal and bladder infections. Just be sure to choose a water-based condom. Hand creams and baby oils are deceivingly slick: they actually can erode a latex condom and increase its chances of rupture.
For those who hate taking a break from the action to tear open that foil rapper, consider trying out the condom’s versatile baby sister, the female condom. While yes, this product may look like protection in the form of a gaping plastic bag, the female condom does offer some potential advantages. It can be inserted ahead of time, for instance, in anticipation of that fabulous V-Day date. Also, the female condom was originally developed for use with anal, not vaginal sex, a way in which many couples utilize it today. Most importantly, the female condom endows women with the power to protect themselves against STD’s, without having to depend on their partners’ willingness to wear condoms.
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