Futuristic STD protection

            For some, finding the right sized condom can be tricky. What could be worse?! – putting it on incorrectly. Although not an issue to panic over, it is totally important to have the right size, right fit, and right direction (American Sexual Health Association, 2013). Remember, when used properly condom are a contraceptive (HELPS to prevent unwanted pregnancy), but also will help to prevent sexually transmitted infections (STIs) including HIV for both people involved (American Sexual Health Association, 2013).

            So, our friends in Germany at the Institute for Condom Consultancy (yes, it’s a real institute) with inventor Jan Vinzenz Krause are working towards the condom of the future… spray–on condoms. That’s right you heard me correctly – spray-on condoms (Lefever, 2008). So what is it? The product is meant to make a custom-fit condom so no guy has to worry anymore about buying the wrong size or figuring out which side goes where (American Sexual Health Association, 2013).

            Apparently, the spray-on condoms are still in testing phases. The idea was launched into action in 2006 and on the testing floor by 2008 (Lefever, 2008). The spray-on condom kit comes with a container for the male that will coat his parts in a liquid latex solution (the same type of material normal condoms are made of). A couple of minutes are required for the latex to dry and only after is it ready to protect (Lefever, 2008)!

            So why isn’t it out on shelves to buy now? The most serious problem is the drying time. It takes about two to three minutes for the liquid latex to solidify, and as Krause puts it, "For people to buy it, it needs to be ready in five to 10 seconds" (Lefever, 2008). Testing also showed that a lot of guys were uncomfortable using the device (Lefever, 2008). We’ll have to wait and see what the future holds for this invention.

            Interested in learning about some other futuristic prevention methods (like a male birth control pill and some other interesting ideas)? Visit the American Sexual Health Association’s website at http://www.iwannaknow.org/teens/future.html! 

           The image below is an idea of what the kit looks like.  

 References:

American Sexual Health Association. (2013).Sex in the future, what lies ahead. Retrieved from http://www.iwannaknow.org/teens/future.html

Lefever, C., (2008), Spray-on condoms: Still a hard sell. TIME, Retrieved from http://content.time.com/time/business/article/0,8599,1832445,00.html

Image courtesy of google.com