Spray-On Condoms: Woman Hopes To Revitalise Safe Sex With Contraception In A Can
Would You Use A Spray-On Condom?
Natasha Hinde— The Huffington Post UK
We've all been through the motions of having to squeeze a heavily lubricated condom onto a banana in sex education class.
But now, it looks like future generations could be dealing with a far more revolutionised way of getting jiggy with it safely.
Behold: the spray-on condom.
New York-based student, Michelle Chu, has come up with the concept for a line of spray-on condoms which she's dubbed Girlplay.
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The contraception method works by spraying liquid latex out of what looks like a deodorant can. This then forms a "spray-on bandage" around the penis.
Michelle Chu says that the condoms are "made for the perfect fit" and while they're designed for both genders, the primary aim of Girlplay is "changing the whole experience of love-making" for "bold and daring women".
The designer has created the condoms as part of a Lover's kit, which includes "a spray on condom for him and her, a drawer of conventional condoms and a smart bra - all managed by a remote control".
It sounds great - but there are a few questions. Namely how do you remove the spray-on stuff after 'business time' without making a huge mess? Also, is it 100% safe?
It's not the first time a spray-on condom concept has entered the marketplace. Jan Vinzenz Krause created a version in 2006, which failed to take off because the latex took too long to dry - an instant mood-killer.
Now, Chu wants to get the ball rolling again. And while hers is only a design concept - we can't help think that this could certainly invigorate the market.
After all spraying a banana Spider Man-style sounds far more appealing.
Contraception Myths Explained
Myth(01 of14)
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1 in 2 women believe that all types of contraception require you to do something regularly to be effective (credit:Alamy)
Fact(02 of14)
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"Some long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) such as the implant or intrauterine contraceptives do not require regular administration in order to be effective."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(03 of14)
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Almost 1 in 5 women don’t realise they can get pregnant if they miss a pill (credit:Alamy)
Fact(04 of14)
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"Missing a pill can significantly impact the risk of becoming pregnant particularly if you have unprotected sex around the time of the hormone free interval. If you do miss a pill, follow the instructions on your packet of pills."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(05 of14)
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"Around 1 in 4 women believe that long acting reversible contraception (LARCs) are permanent and irreversible contraception solutions." (credit:Alamy)
Fact(06 of14)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. For example once an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed, there is no evidence to suggest a delay in the woman's fertility return."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(07 of14)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women believe that all contraception requires a monthly visit to their Healthcare professional (HCP) (credit:Alamy)
Fact(08 of14)
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"That's not the case - for example following the fitting of an intrauterine contraceptive, women should return to their healthcare professional for a check at about 6 weeks and then they don't need to make another appointment until it needs changing."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(09 of14)
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More than half (58%; 2,451 out of 4,199) of women think that long term contraceptives should not be used if you may suddenly decide you want to try to have a baby. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(10 of14)
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"Long acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not permanent forms of contraception and are reversible. There is no evidence of delay in return of fertility when an implant, intrauterine device (IUD) or intrauterine system (IUS) is removed. There could be a delay of up to one year in the return of fertility after a woman stops having the contraceptive injection."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(11 of14)
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Almost a third of women (31%; 1,309 out of 4,199) think that contraceptive pills have the highest rate of efficacy when compared to other methods. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(12 of14)
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"This is not true. The most effective methods of contraception, based on 'typical-use' are the contraceptive implant, intrauterine contraceptives and male and female sterilisation with less than 1 woman in 100 becoming pregnant using these methods. "'Typical-use' refers to how effective a contraceptive method is for the average person who does not always use the method correctly or consistently. For example, women who use oral contraceptives perfectly will experience almost complete protection against pregnancy. "However, in the real world, some women may forget to take a pill every single day, and pregnancies can and do occur to women who miss one or more pills during a cycle. So, while oral contraceptives have a perfect-use effectiveness rate of over 99%, their typical-use effectiveness is closer to 91%."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)
Myth(13 of14)
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Nearly 1 in 5 women think that long term methods all need surgical insertion into the uterus. (credit:Alamy)
Fact(14 of14)
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"The intrauterine system (IUS) and intrauterine device (IUD) are inserted into the uterus. Injectable contraceptives are however given by injection either into the large muscle in the bottom or in the upper arm and the contraceptive implant is fitted just under the skin on the inside of the upper arm."- Dr Diana Mansour, Consultant in Community Gynaecology and Reproductive Health Care and Head of Sexual Health Services, Newcastle Hospitals Community Health (credit:Alamy)