THE UNIVERSITY DARY KANSAN
THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 14, 2006
SEX ON THE HILL
5C
RUBBER RUNDOWN
How the condom went from fishskin to latex
BY ANNA FALTERMEIER
Flavored, textured, big, small, holiday-themed, celebrity-themed, glow in the dark, camo: the list goes on. However you prefer them or don't, condoms are a foundation of birth control and disease prevention that have been around for centuries.
Condoms can be traced back to Egypt around 1,000 B.C. Made from animal skin and eventually linen sheaths, imaginably they weren't as reliable as present day latex versions.
Fish and animal intestines were used as condoms around the 17th century in Europe. Casanova's known to have worn linen condoms during the 18th century
to prevent the spread of STDs.
Animal skin condoms, also known as natural condoms, are still available today, but they're not highly used.
"The animal type products are so porous that they really aren't very effective," said Kathy Guth, nurse practitioner who specializes in women's health at Watkins Memorial Health Center. Guth said today's latex condoms are about 90 percent effective.
Rubber condoms became available with the vulcanization of rubber in the mid 19th century. It wasn't until the 1930s that latex condoms became available.
"It is amazing what women and men have done throughout the centuries to
use some type of birth control," Guth said.
Not only are today's condoms more effective, they're also inexpensive. Condoms are three for 50 cents at Watkins.
Guth said the condom and the diaphragm are among the oldest forms of birth control used. Women once used half a lemon as a diaphragm before modern day designs became available. According to Guth the acidity of a lemon actually helped it to be a fairly effective method of birth control.
Guth recommends using condoms for at least six months into a new relationship.
"They had to come up with something that they could use besides a chastity belt that would work," Guth said.
The Food and Drug Administration advises using condoms made of latex with a disease prevention claim on the package label. Only water-based lubricants should be used because oilbased lubricants can affect a condom's makeup.
Fish and animal intestines were used as condoms around the 17th century in Europe. Animal skin condoms are still available today, but they're not highly used.
doms in a cool, dry place out of direct sunlight. They shouldn't be kept in a pocket or wallet for more than a few hours at a time.
Condoms labeled "novelty" shouldn't be used as a method of protection. According to the FDA these are intended only for stimulation.
The FDA recommends using a lubricant if you're using a non-lubricated condom because it can help prevent breakage and irritation.
Most condom problems occur because they aren't properly used.
There is a female condom available. It's a polyurethane sheath that lines the entire vagina and partially covers the
condom tips
The FDA recommends storing con-
Guth said she thinks they look a bit like newspaper bags. "They're not very popular," she said. Female condoms are about 80 percent effective.
» Put the condom on after the penis is erect.
Leslie Tuttle, assistant professor of history specializing in
》 Use a new condom for every act of Intercourse.
external genitals.
While pinching the half-inch tip, place the condom against the pens and unroll it all the way to the base. Put more spermicide or lubricant on the outside.
pull out.
> If the condom does not have a reservoir tip, pinch the tip enough to leave a half-inch space for semen to collect.
Source: Food and Drug Administration
> If you feel a condom break while you are having sex, stop immediately and
» Beware of drugs and alcohol. They can affect your ability to use a condom properly.
15 After ejaculation and before the penis gets soft, grip the rim of the condom and carefully withdraw from your partner.
» To remove the condom from the penis, pull it off gently, being careful semen doesn't spill out.
gender, sexuality and women, said condoms are unique because they require the complicity of men.
"To a certain degree a woman who's having sex with a man and asks him to wear a condom relies more on him then as would be the case if she was taking the pill."
There could be more options ahead for men as far as birth control goes.
A male birth control pill is being tested, although nothing has been approved.
Guth said every year it seems like they're still working on it and she doesn't know when anything will be approved.
"I think it'll come," Guth said.
Until then, condoms will likely stick around as the main form of birth control and disease prevention used by men.
Kansan reporter Anna Faltermieer can be reached at afaltermeier@ kansan.com.
Photo Illustration by Anna Faltermeler/KAMSA