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Condom

A condom is used on the human male for a variety of reasons. Condoms in the form of a sheath, are worn over the penis to help prevent pregnancy and/or transmission of sexually transmitted diseases such as syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia infections, genital herpes and AIDS, for example, during sexual intercourse. The typical reasons are to prevent transmission of disease and/or to prevent pregnancy. In use, the condom can sometimes slip off the human male. This is especially prevalent if the human male's penis becomes flaccid or only partially engorged. If the condom slips off the penis, its effectiveness can be compromised. With the widespread prevalence of venereal disease and the growing occurrence of AIDS (acquired immune deficiency syndrome), there is an increasing need for effective means to prevent the transmission of such diseases through sexual contact and resultant exchange of bodily fluids between a user and the user's partner. It is a well-documented fact that AIDS is contracted through body fluids of an infected person coming in contact with those of a non-infected person. Perhaps the most certain transmission vectors are blood contact and semen contact. The primary vector is through sexual contact/intercourse. To combat the spread of these diseases, sexual educators advocate the use of condoms during sexual activity as a substantial measure for preventing transmission of the disease. The condom is a thin protective sheath for the penis used to prevent venereal infection or as a contraceptive. The condom forms a sheath around a shaft of a penis. The condom is typically made from a non-porous material preventing the transfer of semen to a woman, and, in most cases, prevents pregnancy. Materials include synthetic rubbers, latex and sheepskin. The condom is packaged and commercialized in a rolled configuration, whereby the thin tubular member is rolled to form a stable disc surrounded by a firm ring. The open end of the tubular member is defined by an annular rib or enlargement providing a better sealing of the condom over the erect penis.

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