Sex is a major part of life. It permeates nearly every facet of culture around the world.
But sex for humans has served a different purpose besides procreation for almost as long as we
have been around, in fact, steps have been taken to prevent the natural results of sexual
intercourse. The earliest known image of a barrier contraceptive is from a cave painting dated
back to 15000 BC (Collier). This activity taken to prevent procreation is unique among species
and has evolved through the years into more advanced forms of contraception, the most common
of which is the male latex condom. The use of condoms has also spread in order to prevent
sexually transmitted diseases. This paper will detail the reasons behind the rise in popularity of
the condom and also highlight the engineering aspects of the traditional condom, as well as some
new developments. The development of today’s modern latex condom took an extraordinary
amount of engineering and condoms continue to be studied and improved upon to better serve an
increasing demand for contraception and prophylactics (items that contribute to disease
prevention) worldwide.
Modern Engineering Problems and Solutions
The modern condom is a simple device. It is a small tube, closed at one end, with a thin
rim to hold it in place and help roll it in the factory and unroll it outside the factory (see figure 1).
Figure 1: a rolled up condom
The engineering of this device is far superior to
that of the first condoms, which were simply
pieces of linen tied with string (Collier). The
repeatability of the design is impressive, as is the
convenient production that has been engineering
to provide both economy of storage and ease of
use simply by rolling the outer edges. But even with such a simple, effective design, there are
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still problems to be addressed. These problems include application, shape, use of spermicidal
lubrication, and production of condoms for a larger consumer base. The distribution of condoms
to countries with high levels of STD’s such as AIDs is also a complex engineering problem for
health organizations and condom manufacturers. Quality control was a serious problem with
early condoms (Milton), but has been dealt with by implementing rigid regulations that allow
nothing to slip through the cracks.
The problems with the design of the condom stem mostly from consumer convenience
rather than anything more serious. However, the application of spermicidal lubricant containing
Nonoxynol-9 during manufacturing is another story. Essentially, Nonoxynol-9 is a type of
detergent that disrupts the outer plasma membranes of sperm and has been shown to be very
successful at killing many sexually transmitted disease pathogens. So what’s the problem with it?
When used frequently, or infrequently in high doses, it can actually kill off layers of skin cells,
causing inflammation of the vagina and cervix. These effects make a woman more vulnerable to
sexually transmitted diseases and may make it easier for her to spread sexually transmitted
diseases to a partner (about.com). These negative effects have resulted in new spermicides being
studied, tested, developed, and engineered to avoid the problems seen in Nonoxynol-9. There are
very few available at the current time, and none available in the United States. However, recent
studies are very promising and ContraGel Green, Menfegol, and Benzalkonium chloride have
been met with preliminary success in Europe. These spermicides are being engineered to meet
the complex challenge of killing one organism (sperm) without harming the larger organism in
close proximity (humans) (Raymond, Chen, Luoto).
The way in which condoms are applied is one area that has seen rapid improvement in
recent years, with one condom applicator even being named The Most Beautiful Object in South
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Africa (dezeen.com) (see figure 2). The application of
condoms can hardly be described as rocket science, and the
diagrammed instructions that can be seen on any box are very
straightforward. But once most important problems have
been ironed out of the product, non-essential improvements
begin at a rapid rate. . The idea behind making condoms
easier to put on is that anything to increase the convenience
of an item will increase the usage. In HIV ravaged areas such
as Africa, the ability of engineers to design and produce more
Figure 2: The Most Beautiful Object in South
Africa unwrapped (above) and in the wrapper
(below)
convenient application methods greatly enhances the probability
that men will wear them. The gold standard for the devices
designed to assist in these situations, the aforementioned “Most
Beautiful Object in South Africa” features plastic supports at
the base of the condom that serve the dual purpose of
facilitating the easy removal of the condom from the outer wrapper and allowing the condom to
be rapidly applied to the penis in one motion (dezeen.com). These applicators are engineered to
tackle the inconvenience of opening the condom and the confusion that sometimes occurs when
putting one on. While these applicators are not something that springs to mind when you think of
great engineering solutions, they may prove to be instrumental in the fight against the AIDs
epidemic in Africa by making it as easy and straightforward as possible to engage in safe sexual
practices.
Along the lines of stemming the AIDs epidemic in Africa is the problem of distribution
of condoms to these countries and convincing their citizens to use condoms in order to prevent
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the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. The first step in this process is to make condoms
affordable for all citizens through government subsidies or organizational benefactors. The
emphasis is on affordable rather than free because studies have shown that people are more
likely to use something they’ve paid for rather than just been given. Spreading the word about
condoms is the next step, and this is a job that is ready made for engineers to work hand in hand
with advertisement teams (Harvey). Engineers can find the most efficient and effective ways of
reaching a populace, whether through strategically positioning advertising centers, or studying
the demographics of individuals at risk for sexually transmitted diseases and enabling advertisers
to reach them specifically. This type of target marketing has been met with great success in
places such as Thailand, South Africa, and Botswana.
Another serious challenge with such a product is ensuring that nearly every product that
goes out will work as designed by the company and as expected by the consumer. The rules for
the manufacture of condoms were relatively scarce and ill enforced until the AIDs epidemic in
the 1980s (Kestelman). From this point onward, condom failure became a life and death issue
(Mindel, Estcourt). Most condom manufacturing regulations fall under Good Manufacturing
Practices which cover all drugs and disease prevention products. The World Health Organization
also has regulations for: the number of condoms that can be defective in each run of product, the
accreditation for labs that test condoms, procedures for condom testing, the materials to be used
in condoms, and shelf life of condoms (Gerofi). All of these issues can be tackled by engineers,
from industrial to chemical. The regulations for defective products in each batch and the shelf
life of the condoms is a specific example of application of probability and industrial engineering
techniques. Chemical engineers have their hands full with formulating different latex, synthetic,
and spermicides to better help the consumer.
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Random samples of batches are
Figure 3: Testing condoms by filling with water
tested by condom manufacturers to ensure
that breaking and leaking are kept to a
minimum. Most tests look at the products
tensile strength (strength during stretching)
because this is the characteristic of the most
concern with regards to breaking and
stretching.. These tests utilize a variety of methods, from stretching latex samples to gauge their
breaking point, to inflating condoms to a certain volume in order to ensure that they won’t burst.
Tests to prevent leakage include the simple yet effective method of filling the product with water
and physically checking it for leaks (see figure 3). A more sophisticated test for leakage is one
that involves placing condoms over metal rods and exposing them to electric current. The idea is
that a current will pass through holes and thin areas in the condoms. A computer can detect when
the current passes through and can determine which condoms fail the test. This is a more
effective engineering solution than simply filling the condoms with water because it accounts for
the thin spots, risk points that aren’t exposed by other tests. (Gerofi).
While these tests help to increase the effectiveness of condoms, new condom designs are
being engineered which seek the same goals. Female Figure 4: the female Condom
condoms have been approved for distribution by the
FDA since 1993 but have not achieved the same
popularity (Young). This device is designed to fit
inside the vagina, held in place by rings at both the
open and closed ends (see Figure 4). Its advantages
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include total female control, which is necessary in countries in which females can’t convince
men to wear condoms, and better protection against some skin transmitted STD’s. It can also be
used with a larger variety of lubricants because it is made of polyurethane, which won’t break
down when used with oil based items. A corollary of this is that it may be possible to wash the
female condom without it breaking down significantly (at least one study shows that up to ten
washes will not significantly affect the condom.) The reusability would enable users to save
money by not having to replace them after any sexual activity. However, there are drawbacks to
this device as well. For starters, it’s more expensive and many consumers report it being more
difficult to use than male condoms. In clinical trials there is also evidence of it being less
effective than male condoms at preventing pregnancy and fluid borne infections. These issues
will have to be analyzed, and solutions engineered, before the female condom will even begin to
challenge the popularity of male condoms. However, certain types of this product have certainly
found a niche in cultures where women are at an elevated risk of rape. Some female condoms
have been engineered with plastic barbs or hooks to deter potential sexual predators (World
Health Organization). This unique engineering solution allows oppressed, at risk women to take
a more active role in maintaining sexual health and safety.
Another emerging product is one that was engineered out of the desire for a more custom
Figure 5: The spray on condom prototype
fitting male condom. Jan Vincenze Krause was
unsatisfied with the different sizes of condoms offered by
major companies, so he engineered a spray on
contraceptive that molds to the individual shape of each
user. This product consists of a hard plastic tube that is fitted over the penis and sprays liquid
latex from all directions, providing an even coating. The perfect fit will increase safety by
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eliminating slippage, and will feel more natural, encouraging more people to use it. Early
problems with the prototype include the latex taking too long to dry, the noise of the machine
ruining the mood for some couples, and the fear expressed by some men of sticking such a
vulnerable body part into a mechanized tube. The drying time is the most serious problem and
the one that has will keep the product shelved indefinitely until a solution is engineered
(TIME.com). Until then, people will have to deal with condoms the way they deal with shoes
and clothing; you can’t always get a perfect fit.
All of these new products, testing methods, spermicides, and marketing techniques have
been engineered with extensive investment of time and money in order to make condoms a more
effective tool for contraception and prophylactics. The prophylactic aspect of condoms is quite
important currently as the fight against AIDs and other sexually transmitted diseases continues.
This aspect will no doubt improve and continue advancing well into the future (McNeill et al).
The contraceptive aspect of condoms continues to improve at the same rate because the demand
of consumers in this day and age continues to increase. It is true that the methods of both goals
overlap in many cases, as both aim to prevent the intermixing of bodily fluids, but the two goals
of this one product represent a paradox. It is interesting that humans rely on one small latex tube
to help people live long lives (the prophylactic aspect) while at the same time ensuring that their
sexual activities won’t result in any new lives being started (the contraceptive aspect). No other
species on earth puts as much effort into preventing reproduction. People are a unique animal
indeed.
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