New ‘slippery’ self-lubricating condom could increase contraception use

A "slippery" self-lubricating condom could increase use of the contraceptive.

The new condom, designed by researchers in Boston University, becomes "slippery" and "slick" when it comes into contact with natural body fluids. Prophylactic sheaths drawn from a specially treated membrane make the condom hydrophilic, meaning that it attracts water and retains lubrication. Findings around the product, published in the Royal Society Open Science journal, showed that almost three quarters of people had a preference for a self-lubricating condom. "A majority of participants - 73 percent - expressed a preference for a condom containing the lubricious coating," the study read. The majority of participants also agreed that "... an inherently slippery condom that remains slippery for a long duration would increase their condom usage." "Such a coating shows potential to be an effective strategy for decreasing friction-associated pain (for women and men) and increasing user satisfaction," it read. The self-lubricating condom aims to reduce the pain and loss of pleasure associated with traditional condoms often brought on to due to friction. Due to restrictions currently in place in the US, the product has yet to be tested during intercourse. Despite this, 90 percent of participants said that they would consider using a self-lubricating condom if one became widely available. The majority also said their condom usage would likely increase in this instance.