The condom is an invaluable tool for matters of safety but a condom is also a lot more.
Today, condoms benefit from the latest in technology: ultra-thin, fruity taste, different sizes, different structures and even "masculine or feminine".
A condom lets you open up with confidence and very comfortably. Discover it and cover up !
The history of the condom.
The use of the condom dates back to Antiquity. The Egyptians in 3000 B.C. already used sheep guts to protect themselves from venereal diseases. It appears that 12000, maybe even 30000 years before our time, men of certain civilisations wore sheaths of unknown material. Whatever it was, the condom is one of the oldest means of contraception !
In 12th century BC, King Minos of Crete used condoms made of goats' bladders to protect himself against diseases. As for the Japanese, in 10BC, they used a sheath called a "Kabutogate" made from leather or tortoise scales. The Chinese too, 4000 years ago, protected themselves with paper corsets or oiled silk strips of cloth. Certain writings lead it to be believed that the Romans and the Greeks had condoms made of animal membranes.
It was in the 15th century that Gabriele Falloppia, an Italian doctor, advocated a sort of protection made of linen material coated with ointment because of the syphilis epidemic which hit the people of Europe and in particular the military. Louis XIV then further developed this type of condom by adding the luxury of a silk or velour lining.
In 1735, the first condom made of animal appendices appeared. From that time protection would not cease to evolve and spread to through the people. In 1744, the first condom shop opened in London.
In 1870, the Scottish chemist Charles Goodyear invented rubber. Condoms would then be made from this new material which was much thinner at a thickness of 1mm.
The first latex condom appeared in 1880. Some years later, the tip also appeared. Finally, different colours, as well as flavours came to complete the range.
In the 20th century, thanks to medical advances in the fight against sexually transmitted infections (STI) and the invention of the contraception pill, the condom started to take a back seat. It was when the AIDS virus appeared that the condom came back onto the scene !
In the 1990s, condoms were vastly improved thanks to the new technology available. Durex developed a new condom, made of Duron, a type of polyurethane that is twice as strong as latex and above all, thinner for more sensation. The flavours and colours, the shapes and textures have been studied so much by the manufacturers and have led to the condom that we know today.
Today, condoms are the ONE AND ONLY means of protection against STIs and the HIV virus !
Why wear a condom ?
There are several answers and several reasons to this question. Here are some of them :
- The condom is the one and only effective protection against STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and HIV during sexual encounters.
- The condom, along with the contraceptive pill, is an excellent means of contraception.
- The use of the condom is a proof of respect for your partner. It is the best way of protecting your partner while having sex.
- The condom is available to all. It is not expensive and you can buy it anywhere from a supermarket, to the pharmacy to the Internet.
- Using a condom allows the man to hold back for the right time to ejaculate. It therefore allows the sex to go on for longer, along with the pleasure !
Whatever it may be, there is still no vaccine against AIDS and there are many other STIs which are highly embarrassing. It can never be said enough: GO OUT COVERED UP !
How to use.
- Keep the condom in its original packaging and preferably in a box or a card envelope or similar to avoid piercing it.
- Keep the condom in a cool dry place, out of direct sunlight.
- Never use a condom with damaged packaging or with an out of date expiry date.
- Never use two condoms one on top of the other. Instead of being safer, it risks breaking the latex.
- Avoid handling the condom with rings or damaged nails as you might pierce it.
- If you want to use a lubricant, always use a water or silicone based lubricant.
- Never use oil based lubricants such as Vaseline, butter, oil or hand cream. The latex cannot withstand those products.
- A condom can only be used once.
1. Put the condom on when the penis is fully erect and before any contact between the penis and the partner's body. The liquid emitted during the initial encounters may contain sperm or infectious germs.
2. Carefully open the packaging by tearing it on one side. Make sure that the condom inside is not damaged.
3. Air inside the condom may cause it to break. Make sure therefore to hold it carefully between the fingers at the top of the condom (the tip) to expel the air. Put the condom on the top of the erect penis. Make sure that the part to be unrolled is on the outside.
4. While keeping the tip held between the fingers, use the other hand to continue to unroll the condom fully down the length of the penis. For anal use, it is vital that enough water-based lubricant is used to stop the condom from tearing or slipping. If the condom starts to slip off, do not take any chances. Use a new condom. If the condom comes off completely, put a new one on before continuing to have sex.
5. Pull out after ejaculation and before the end of the erection while holding the condom at the base of the penis. Wait until the penis is fully removed before taking off the condom. Again, make sure to avoid any contact of the penis and used condom with the partner's body.
6. Throw the condom away hygienically: roll it up in paper and put it in the bin. Do not throw down the toilet.
The quality of the condom.
For it to be effective, the quality of the condom is very important. Before any production, the raw material, the latex, already undergoes quality tests. Next, random tests are carried out finally from each batch. A batch represents 150,000 condoms under just one series number.
The production test : the strength of the latex can be tested by an electric assessment. The test is carried out on each condom before it is packed. If the test is negative, the condom is rejected.
The perforation test : this allows the quality of a batch of condoms to be test by filling the randomly selected samples with liquid and plunging them in a second liquid while receiving an electronic current. If it is detected in the outer liquid, there is a fault. If more than one fault is found in the same batch, then the whole batch is removed from the line.
The bursting test : this measures the consistency of the latex depending on the number of litres of air blown into the condom and the pressure of the air.
The ISO standard 4074:2002 certificate and the CE mark is obligatory in Europe. It guarantees of a good quality condom !
Condom sizes.
Just like any other "item of clothing" the condom comes in different sizes from the narrow to the extra-large, the trick is to choose the right size for the job.
If it is too small, the condom is difficult to place on the erect penis. The latex stretches and there is a greater danger it may break. It will feel very tight on you and it will be very uncomfortable.
If it is too big, then the condom risks getting folds in it. Worse still, the condom might slip off during sex. The pleasure will be less intense for the man too.
A condom of the right size rolls on easily with the thumb and index finger. Not too tight, not too big, the latex correctly takes on the shape of the erect penis and provides the awaited pleasure.
Each brand of condom has its own standards and characteristics, whether in length, diameter or even ergonomics. It is recommended trying several to find the right "shoe for your foot".
Colours, flavours and textures.
Nowadays, condoms are available in many different colours and can be flavoured with different tastes. If the choice of the membrane, the size, the tip and the lubricant is top in terms of security and quality of the condom, the colours, flavours and textures have given way to some playful and personal ways.
A flavoured condom is quite simply a condom that has had an additional flavour added to the lubricant. This flavour neutralises the flavour and smell of the latex and makes fellatio more enjoyable and more suggestive. There are many different flavours from mint to chocolate, or from strawberry to banana. Anything is possible. Well nearly !
Coloured condoms have been around for a very long time. The colour is added to relax the atmosphere and make the sex more fun. Here too, all the colours of the rainbow are available. Recently, even luminous condoms have been developed. At least you won't lose anything in the dark !
Textured, ribbed or beaded condoms provide even more ways of increasing the sexual pleasure. Nearly all the brands have a textured condom with its own characteristics. Some have tiny bubbles all the way along them, and other have vertical or horizontal ribs, while others have little spikes. There is something for everyone and to meet all fantasies. The sensations vary depending on the person and the condom. You'll just have to try !
Lubricants.
For insufficient vaginal secretions or for the practice of anal sex, or just to maximise comfort, the use of a lubricant is highly recommended in order to reduce the dangers of breaking the condom. Make sure however that you only use water, glycerine or silicone based lubricants.
Water-based or glycerine-based condoms are well tolerated by the body. There is no danger for the condom when using them, but they dry relatively quickly. Silicone based lubricants provide lubrication for much longer, but sometimes they may carry a risk of itching or allergies.
You might need to test several lubricants before finding the best one for you, but be aware that, in each brand, there are different sorts of lubricants for different new sensations such as heating gels, cooling gels or flavoured gels. They can be applied just to the target areas or from head to foot !
Any other lubricant such as oil, butter or Vaseline based lubricants or hand creams and food oils etc. must not be used with condoms. In actual fact, those products change the quality of the latex and make it porous.
The female condom.
The female condom appeared in the 1990s and is still rather rare. However, the female condom or "Femidom" is a real alternative to the male condom for vaginal penetration. It finally allows the woman to be able to choose an effective means of protection for herself against STIs (sexually transmitted infections) and HIV, without even asking her partner's opinion.
Also, the female condom is made of polyurethane, which eliminates allergy problems connected with latex and it can be put in place at any time during the sexual encounter. The female condom also allows the man to stay inside the vagina after ejaculation, whereas any other male condom forces him to pull out immediately.
The Femidom requires a certain amount of technique for it to be inserted, but once that has been learnt, the female condom can be quickly and easily put in place. By fitting itself to the vaginal walls, the female condom has the advantage of leaving the man's penis free, so that it does not get too tight as can sometimes happen with the male condom.
Instructions for use :
Put yourself in a comfortable position, either lying, sitting or standing with one foot resting on a chair.
Open the individual female condom pack and take it out carefully, especially if you wear jewellery.
1. Make sure that the inner ring is at the bottom of the condom. Hold the female condom by this ring by squeezing it with your thumb and index finger.
2. Without letting go, insert the ring inside the vagina and push it as far as possible.
3. Next, place your index finger inside the female condom and push the Femidom to the back of the vagina by pushing on the ring.
When the Femidom is in place, the external ring must be outside the vagina.
To remove the female condom, turn the external ring to close the opening completely and to stop the sperm from pouring out. Now pull it gently.
Put the used Femidom back in its pack and throw it in the bin. Do not throw it down the toilet.
The simultaneous use of a male and female condom is not recommended !
