February is National Condom Month!
…and today (Valentine’s Day) is National Condom Day! Condoms have been and always will be important in sexual health. They have transformed and been improved over thousands of years, but the importance and goal have remained the same: to reduce pregnancy and limit the transmission of STIs. This blog will review the history of condoms and when different types of condoms were created.
External Condoms
In the ancient and early years of condom usage, external condoms were mainly made out of animal products like intestines and membranes or even fish bladders. At this point, condoms were only used to prevent the spread of diseases and were not commonly used as a form of contraception. Early Chinese civilization used external condoms made from silk paper and thin leather with a light layer of lubrication.
In the 18th century, condom use and production began to rise and condom distribution expanded to public places. By the 1860s, rubber condoms were being mass produced, although animal product condoms were more popular because rubber condoms were known for falling off during sex.
In 1920, the first latex condoms were made, and by 1950, condoms were being mass produced due to the cheap price and fast production time. At the time of the 1950s mass production, the quality of condoms increased by making them lubricated, tighter, and thinner. The well-known reservoir at the top for semen collection was added in. The rise of the AIDS outbreak in June of 1981 led to a massive increase in condom use because the only way to protect yourself from a sexually transmitted disease (STI) was by using a barrier method like a condom!
Finger Condoms
Finger cots, also known as Finger condoms, were created in the 1840s. Early finger condoms were made out of leather. These types of condoms are meant to help prevent infections from reaching inside the body. They also protected health professionals from bodily fluids when seeing patients. Today, finger condoms serve many purposes, including preventing contamination of bodily fluids during sexual acts, keeping fingers clean from germs, and protecting fingers from infections and cuts in the food, industrial, and medical industries.
Dental Dams
Starting in 1864, dental dams were made of rubber and used to help separate teeth from saliva during dental procedures and stop contamination from the patient to the doctor. Today, the dental dam material is a soft latex or polyurethane square. The dental dam is typically placed over the anus or vaginal opening and acts as the barrier between genitalia and another person's mouth during oral sex.
Internal Condoms
Internal condoms are thought to have originated in Greece over 2,000 years ago. In 1923, a 20th century birth control activist named Marie Stopes invented a new version of the female condom made of thick rubber and a steel coil rim. Due to the difficulty of insertion and uncomfortable feeling, internal condoms weren't popular at this time. Today, internal condoms are made of latex-free rubber with flexible rings on each side to keep it in place.
Happy National Condom Month! Remember: Bridgercare supplies free condoms, lube, and Plan B pills so do not hesitate to pick up some the next time you visit the clinic!