5 Condom Facts You Didn’t Learn in Health Class
By ASTROGLIDE Team
Condoms Have Been Around For A Long Time
Believe it or not, the earliest evidence of condom use dates back to 11,000 B.C. A painting on the wall in the Grotte des Combarrelles caves in France depict what anthropologists believe to a man using a condom, likely made of animal skin.
Condoms Have a Shelf Life of Four Years
As long as condoms are kept in a cool, dry place, they can be good for up to four years, so don’t be afraid to stock up. Just make sure that if your condoms are exposed to heat (like being left in the glovebox of your car in August) that you discard them, as it can make them less effective.
Condoms Are Insanely Effective in Preventing HIV
Exactly how effective are condoms? When it comes to preventing HIV, condoms are a staggering 10,000 times more effective than not using a condom. Not bad for a little piece of latex!
Only Certain Types of Lubes Should be Used with Condoms
While many water-based, silicone-based, and hybrid lubes are safe to use with condoms, certain kinds of lube like oil-based lube can break down the latex of a condom causing it to become porous, and therefore, less effective.
To play it safe, always make sure that a particular lube is safe to use with condoms before trying it out.
(Hint: Most of ASTROGLIDE’s lubes are latex-safe, check packaging for compatibility details. We can even send you a free sample and a coupon for $1.00 off of a full-size bottle.)
Latex Condoms Aren’t Your Only Option
When most people think of condoms, they think of latex. However, there are plenty of latex-free condoms out there. If you have a latex allergy or are looking for condoms for sensitive skin, you might want to consider a natural skin condom.
Many couples rave about the increased sensitivity and bigger condom size that natural skin condoms provide, however, the way they are made (from animal intestines) can make some people squeamish. Also, while they protect against pregnancy, natural skin condoms don’t protect against STDs, so these should only be considered by monogamous couples.
There are a few other latex-free condom options on the market including condoms made from polyurethane or polyisoprene provide the strength and STD protection of latex, but are much easier on sensitive skin. Either way, if latex condoms aren’t your thing, you have options.
Did any of our condom facts surprise you?
Do you have any other interesting condom facts that you’d like to share? Tweet us at @ASTROGLIDE and tell us about it.
Want to read more about popular contraception practices? Check out our post on the pros and cons of the withdrawal method.
Images are for illustrative purposes only.