By Rebecca Jones
Despite public awareness of the importance of practicing safe sex there is an ongoing reluctance, especially among older generations, to use condoms during intercourse but with a new product about to launch condoms may start appealing to a whole new demographic. Nicknamed the “Viagra condom” Futura Medical’s CSD500 maybe the best thing that’s happened to prophylactics in years.
The CSD500 is creating buzz by being the first contraceptive to aid men in keeping an erection. With most advances in birth control being targeted towards women most will be relieved that men will now have a more appealing option that will not only prevent unwanted pregnancy but also prevent the spread of sexually transmitted diseases.
The CSD500 is not being marketed for men that suffer from erectile dysfunction but rather men who specifically have trouble maintain an erection while using a condom. The condom is coated with a vasodilating gel that helps increase blood flow to the penis. Derived from a medication used to treat angina, a condition in which chest pains are experienced because an area of the heart is not receiving enough blood, the hardest part of developing the CSD was finding a way to keep the gel in place on the inside of the condom. Not only did they need to make sure that only the wearer of the condom would be affected but they had to develop a product that would not degrade the latex of the condom itself. Managing to conquer both these issues is what makes this product so unique and exciting.
Not only will this new product appeal to consumers but it could help reduce the spread of STDs as well. Not only will it help promote condom use but it will also reduce the number of incidents of a condom slipping off because of difficulty in maintaining an erection. In a recent survey by the Journal of Sexual Medicine it was revealed that in men over 50 less than 20% use a condom even with someone they’ve only recently met compare that will 80% of teenagers and it becomes readily apparent what generation condom manufacturers need to start appealing to.
Already in the final stages of approval in the United Kingdom the product may be available for sale within a year. Following its release Durex, who has licensing rights, could decide to apply for FDA approval making it available in America as well. With the ever growing popularity of products like Viagra and Cialis it’s clear that erectile aids are a hot commodity; don’t be surprised if the CSD500 starts showing up on store shelves in the near future.