Available Blog RSS Feeds

Wednesday, March 18, 2009

FDA approves next-gen female condom

When one thinks of condoms the automatic image is that of a male condom; female condoms though they have been around since the 1990's, are nowhere near as popular as their male counterpart.  A new female condom developed by Reuters, has addressed many of the problems women have had with the old model. Though a female condom does the same job as a male condom, it also protecting the labia, which can prevent women from contracting STD's. One of the greatest problems with the female condom was its price. Old models cost anywhere up to 4 dollars each, while male condoms are a small fraction of that.  Reuters new version will cost 60 cents, due  to the fact that they will be made from Nitrile rubber (a good alternative for those who are allergic to latex).  As prices fall for the female condom, its use will hopefully increase, protecting women whose partners refuse to use protection. 

4 comments:

Peter said...

This sounds like a great advancement. It seems like it took in all the criticism of previous condoms and tried to make a better product. I think this kind of research and development is some of the most beneficial research that can be done, as world population is a huge concern of the future. I hope that they can publicize this cheaper alternative well so that it can be put to good use.

JeffreyJ said...

this is an amazing alternative, but STD still run rampid through our world and affect so many on such a large level. And now that it is a cheaper alternative it gives an incentive for more people to use them

ellis16 said...

I never realized that female condoms were so expensive. A single condom for four dollars. Hopefully, as Jeffery, this newer version will act as an incentive for people to use them. A very useful advancement indeed.

Janay said...

As the first female to comment...
I've never seen a female condom. It seems like it would be more difficult to use than a male condom because of our anatomy. I'm glad that advances are being made so that they're more available though. My question is, why does it cost so more? Is it because it's more complicated to use/make? Is it the material it's made of? Hopefully, if it protects against STDs well then it can retard (SAT word, yay!) the spread of HIV.