A research team from Boston University has developed a self-lubricating condom that is hoped could increase an uptake by potential users and help prevent the spread of sexually transmitted infections.
The condom is covered in a special hydrophilic polymer film that upon contact with bodily fluid or water, becomes slippery to the touch. The polymer coating is said to be able to last for around 1000 thrusts, with traditional intercourse thought to average around 500 – 600 thrusts.
Using a condom is an extremely effective form of contraceptive, and most condoms that are currently available come with added lubricant for ease-of-use, but this often dissipates rapidly. This can leave people in some level of discomfort due to friction and potentially cause a condom to become damaged or split.
As a result of this uncomfortable feeling, men and women could opt to fore-go condom usage for future instances of intercourse, leading to an increase in unprotected sex and subsequently the increased risk of STIs and unplanned pregnancies.
The research project was funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The charity had previously issued a challenge for a male contraceptive redesign and the Boston team was one of a number selected to receive funding.
The Foundation launched the redesign initiative after identifying a key reason that people were reluctant to use condoms was: “from the male perspective is that condoms decrease pleasure as compared to no condom, creating a trade-off that many men find unacceptable, particularly given that the decisions about use must be made just prior to intercourse”.
The Boston research team invited a group of 33 male and female volunteers to participate in a study assessing the slipperiness of the condom by touch. A majority of participants (73%) in the research expressed a preference for a condom containing the lubricious coating, agreeing that an inherently slippery condom that remained slippery for a long duration would increase their condom usage.
The research report is available to read here: http://rsos.royalsocietypublishing.org/content/5/10/180291