CONTENTS
- The Condom Gap: A Health Crisis
- Sexual Behavior and Condoms
- Knowledge of Condoms and AIDS
- How Effective Are Condoms?
- New Condoms for the New Millennium
- Improving Access
- Promoting Condoms
- Policies for Condom Use
HIGHLIGHTS
- HIV/AIDS still spreading fast
- Changing the image of condoms
- Behavior change to avoid AIDS
- Ensuring condom quality
- Protecting young people
- Is the female condom promising?
- Sales marketing sales grow
- Condoms: a good investment
April, 1999
Series H, Number 9
New Condoms for Men
New materials. The new plastic condoms are approximately the same thickness as latex condoms (188, 211), are less constricting, not harmed by oil-based lubricants, and do not cause allergic reactions (198, 375, 517). They deteriorate more slowly than latex condoms, although if latex condoms are packed in laminated foil they also are very stable (188).
By early 1999 the USFDA had approved eight synthetic male condoms as well as the one synthetic female condom. Of the plastic male condoms, only two (essentially identical versions of the Avanti condom manufactured by the London International Group) were commercially available in the US as of early 1999. The others were four Tactylon brands (styrene-based plastics) by Sensicon and two Trojan brands by Carter-Wallace, Inc. (303). Avanti condoms areavailable in 10 European countries (582).
The EZON polyurethane condom, developed by Family Health International and manufactured by Mayer Laboratories, Inc., was introduced in several European markets in 1998 (278, 388), but it is not yet available elsewhere nor is it yet approved in the US. Two very thin plastic condoms, the Unique for males and the Unisex for males and females, are available in Colombia and elsewhere in South America (188, 207). Also, a plastic condom by Ortho-McNeil Pharmaceutical of Canada is under development (211).
New designs. In response to complaints that latex condoms are too tight and uncomfortable (173, 437, 486), manufacturers have lately been producing new models—the first variations in design of the latex male condom in a long time (220, 342). LifeStyles condoms, manufactured by Ansell, has come out with the Xtra Pleasure, which has an enlarged, bulb-like area at the head of the condom (33). A Sensicon condom made of Tactylon plastic also has a "baggy" design but is not yet on the market (220).
 Ansell |
In response to complaints from many men that latex condoms are too tight and uncomfortable, some manufacturers are starting to produce new models , such as the Xtra Pleasure latex condom. In addition, new ultrathin plastic condoms are being manufactured. |
The EZON polyurethane condom is ultrathin and has a baggy design that is "bidirectional," meaning that it unrolls in both directions and also can be pulled on rather than unrolled. EZON appears to have a failure rate similar to that of latex condoms but will be priced higher (278, 342, 388).
Other manufacturers are also introducing variations on the flared condom theme. Also available are condoms with various combinations of exotic tastes, smells, and/or colors (113). These do not necessarily meet manufacturing standards and are not necessarily tested accordingly (564).
Condom lubricants. The AIDS epidemic and rise of other STIs have increased interest in finding new condom lubricants, especially those that may also be effective against infections. Some condoms are lubricated with the spermicide nonoxynol-9 (N-9). N-9 kills HIV and some, but not all, other STIs in the test tube (243, 396, 586). Recent studies have not been able to show that using N-9 in addition to a condom provides additional protection against STIs (159, 454, 565). This may be because the condom alone is so effective when used properly (see Chapter 4.2, Effectiveness Against HIV/AIDS and Other STIs). In addition, N-9 may irritate the vaginal lining and increase the risk of urinary tract infections (1, 512, 575).
