The hydrogel condom enhances the sensation of intimacy
Last reviewed: 16.10.2021
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
At the State University of Australia, which is located in Wollongong, a group of engineers are working on creating a condom made of new material. Specialists decided to make one of the most popular contraceptive products from hydrogel - this material, according to experts, will help correct some "shortcomings" of latex products used today, first of all, erased sensations during sex. In addition, scientists believe that proximity to condoms from the hydrogel will be even better than the effect of "skin to skin," the statement made by scientists after studying the electromagnetic brain waves of volunteers during sex with a new condom and without it.
The history of the condom is more than 3 thousand years old, the first contraception was made from the entrails of livestock, latex products appeared in the 1930s and are widely distributed to the present day. Despite the fact that condoms have undergone multiple changes - they have become thinner, have tendrils, barbs designed to improve sensations during sex, many men refuse to use them, motivating it by the fact that the condom is completely out of touch and lost pleasure.
The main task of latex contraceptives is protection against sexually transmitted diseases and unwanted pregnancies, and the refusal to use them can lead to unpleasant consequences.
Australians decided to finally fix the situation and create contraceptives that will not only protect, but also improve feelings during sex. The hydrogel was chosen not casually, this modern material possesses high flexibility, due to what it can be given absolutely unique properties. There are several types of hydrogels, which differ in their properties: some due to the similarity with human tissues have found application in vascular prosthetics, others are included in the composition of medical preparations for fighting diseases.
Scientists from the Australian University earlier this year spoke at the contest "Condom of the New Generation" and received financial help for their project to create new condoms from the hydrogel from the Gates family. Bill Gates and his wife to finance this project has led primarily to care for the African and Asian populations, where, as is known, venereal diseases are widespread. However, cases of unwanted pregnancy and the spread of sexual infections are not exceptions and in developed countries, for example, the largest number of abortions and HIV infections is recorded in the US.
In their experiments, a team of specialists worked with various types of hydrogels, but immediately it was decided to use not a survey system, as usual, but an electroencephalogram writing technique that would "honestly" tell about a person's feelings. In work to the Australian group experts from technological university of Swinburn helped.
It should be noted that the first who will test new condoms, will be sponsors of the research project - the couple Gates. According to the couple, condoms that can enhance feelings during intimacy will certainly become popular among men.
[1]