Self-Lubricating Condoms Developed by Scientists Can Make Having Sex More Pleasurable

The study also reported that polymer-treated condoms did not affect the latex and provides consistently low friction even when subjected to large volumes of water or 1000 cycles of thrusting.

Representational Image. (Photo Credits: Pixabay)

Sex is fun but sometimes it can be messy and painful. To make having sex a more enjoyable experience, a team of researchers in the UK have successfully invented a self-lubricating condom that provides a slippery sensation when used which can further boost the use of condoms, as reported in the journal Royal Society Open Science. The researchers say their unique coating shows potential when it comes to cutting friction pain and boosting satisfaction. They also hope that it will make condoms more appealing to use and thereby prevent sexually transmitted infection as well as unwanted pregnancies. Durex Singapore Recalls Its Ultra-Thin 'Real Feel' Condoms Due To Quality Concerns.

In a 2008 US national survey, 77% of men and 40% of women said they have had experienced reduced pleasure and increased discomfort while using condoms, as reported by Science Alert. This is one of the many reasons that people avoid using condoms altogether which further leads to risks for unplanned pregnancies and transmission of STIs. A self-lubricating condom could offer users an alternative. The researchers have developed and optimised what they call a ‘lubricious surface treatment technique’ which coats the rubber latex within a thin layer of hydrophilic polymers.

Lab experiments showed that protective sheaths made with the specially treated membrane take on a slick and slippery quality in the presence of natural bodily fluids. And unlike water or oil-based lubricants added to commercially available condoms, the hydrophilic latex retains its ‘slippery sensation’ almost indefinitely. The researchers said, “Such a coating shows potential to be an effective strategy for decreasing friction-association pain and increasing user satisfaction.”

The study also reported that polymer-treated condoms did not affect the latex and provides consistently low friction even when subjected to large volumes of water or 1000 cycles of thrusting. Volunteers expressed a strong preference for condoms that were inherently slippery and remained so for a long time. Because the material has yet to be approved by the US Food and Drug Administration, the liquid-loving latex has yet to be tested during intercourse.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Oct 18, 2018 01:16 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).

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