Condom
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| A baker's dozen on Human sexuality |
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Condom-en-Armagnac is a village in southwestern France noted for two castles erected in the 13th century, and for its small population...
Oh wait, that wasn't the "condom" you came for? Read on and we'll set you straight (or, well, at least "forward")!
A condom is a device made of synthetic rubber (or for people not concerned with virus transmission, sheep intestines), for purposes of birth control and avoiding the transmission of venereal disease. It is part of a wider classification of birth control known as "barrier devices", this separates it from hormone or other drug based pills that prevent pregnancy or spermicides. It is worn as a sheath over the penis to prevent any sperm from escaping and impregnating a woman.[1] Gay men - who by definition won't be at risk of impregnating each other[2] - if they are sensible use condoms to prevent STD transmission.[3]
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[edit] Effectiveness
Many odd people with anti-sexuality agendas prefer to focus on failure rates of birth control methods. However, when used correctly and consistently condoms are at least 99% effective at preventing pregnancy. They also reduce the relative risk of infection by HIV, and other STDs, by 85%.
The most common causes of failures in condoms is damage to them either before or during the heinous act itself, or the device slipping off. A standard condom will fit almost any penis, but if you really are hung like a donkey (or on the other hand, like pencil), it's recommended to get one of a more appropriate size to prevent slippage and breakage. One unfortunate cause of condom failure is intentional sabotage, this is often performed by a partner (of either sex) who intentionally wants the contraception to fail in order to conceive. Sabotage also occurs en masse by people wanting to play horrible pranks. [4][5] If a condom breaks the next line of defense is the "Morning After" pill
In order to ensure quality control, condoms have serial numbers on them. What, you didn't know that? That's probably because you never had to roll one down that far.[6]
[edit] Sexual fun
Condoms can be sex toys as well - there are condoms in different colors, and even glow in the dark condoms. There are flavored condoms to make fellatio more pleasant, and ones with ridges or bumps that are intended to please the lady.
[edit] Arguments against the condom
According to some people, a condom is something which one should never under any circumstances pass out to high school students, because it might encourage them to actually have sex. Instead, abstinence-only must be taught. Guess what, that doesn't work, it never has, never will. Does anyone seriously believe that an abstinence pledge has the power to physically block sperm from doing their duty? Didn't think so. Your abstinence pledge is insignificant next to the power of a condom.
"Give a 17 year old boy a condom and his thoughts turn immediately to sex."
- "Sure, but give a 17 year old boy anything, and what will be on his mind? Sex!"
[edit] External links
- Condoms 101 - How To Buy A Condom (eXtreme Sex Ed)
- eXtreme Sex Ed: How To Put On A Condom
- Condom and safe sex jokes
[edit] Footnotes
- ↑ Every sperm is sacred...
- ↑ Well, the "weird cases" of men getting pregnant are actually transexuals so are biologically speaking, female.
- ↑ Gay Life - condom brands
- ↑ No, it's not funny. It's totally unfunny.
- ↑ http://www.oxfordstudent.com/tt2005wk2/News/trinity_condom_sabotage_forces_jcrs_to_rethink_open_supply.
- ↑ And if you did, she's either a very lucky woman, or about to be in a lot of pain.
