Pros and Cons of Condoms - Research Paper Example

Condoms Table of Contents Introduction 2 Thesis Statement 2 History of Condoms 2 Styles of Condoms 3 Materials of Condoms 4 Pros and Cons of Condoms 4 Cost of Condoms 5 Availability of Condoms 7 Conclusion 7 Works Cited 8 Introduction To enjoy a safe driving use a helmet, to enjoy a safe diving use a cap. Wrapping is always beneficial and protective, be it a sweater in winter or a condom while making love. A condom helps to stay away from various sexually transmitted diseases. It also plays a vital role in controlling the pregnancy rate all over the world. Today, in all developed nations most of the couples prefer using condoms as an advantageous contraceptive method (Marie Stopes International, “Cover the World with Condoms”). Thesis Statement The paper intends to highlight the invention and the history of condoms and its usage. The materials used to manufacture condoms will also be studied in this discussion along with the pros and cons of the contraceptive and its cost as well as availability in the present scenario. History of Condoms The history of condoms describes the usage, purpose and the materials used to manufacture the contraceptive. Condoms have been in use since quite a few hundred years now though it was different from its present texture. Even in the initial stage, in the ancient world, condoms were used to be protected from the sexually transmitted diseases such as HIV and AIDS and also to control the birth rate. Before the 19th century, condoms were made of animal body parts and after 19th century, varied chemicals were in use to make the same which turned out to be more durable and comfortable. Condoms, in 20th century, have had rapid advancements in terms of its sizes, its designs, its materials and its costs among others, but the purpose for using this contraceptive remained intact and same from ages (The University of Hawaii System, “The Truth about Condoms”). Styles of Condoms Condoms are now-a-days available in different styles and features such as colored, flavored, clearly wrapped, and extra thin layered among others. It is also available in glowing, traditional, female-oriented and textured styles among others. Almost all these styles of condoms were introduced in the 20th century. It is worth mentioning that these styles have been introduced with due consideration to its purposes and its usage to the contraceptive users all around the world. These different styles of condoms also consider the preferences of the users. In the ancient era, there were no scope of choosing condoms based on these features and styles. However, in the modern era, along with the substantially enhanced usage and with the increased awareness regarding the benefits of these contraceptives, the manufacturers and marketers of condoms have been highly motivated to render the product worldwide in varied features and styles to satisfy the tastes and preferences of their targeted customers (Australian Government, “Feeling Confident about Condoms”). Materials of Condoms Presently, condoms are manufactured with different materials mainly consisting of latex, animal membrane and polyurethane among others. Animal membrane refers to the intestine or stomachs of the animals like lamb, which had been in use to make condoms from ancient periods and are still available in certain places. However, latex, which refers to the naturally available rubber, has become more popular as the raw material to manufacture condoms. Polyurethane is also a form of plastic which is considered to be as effective as latex. Principally, polyurethane is preferred by those contraceptive users who are sensitive to latex. Irrespective of the preferences amid the customers, all these materials serve the same purpose, i.e. to save condom users from sexually transmitted diseases and to control the rate of child birth (Condoms Review, “Material Used”). Pros and Cons of Condoms Although condom is one of the most efficient contraceptives used to prevent birth rate and sexually transmitted diseases, it also possesses a few certain pros and cons. A noteworthy advantage of condoms usage is that it is very much effective in reducing the risk of sexually transmitted diseases and in preventing pregnancy, if properly used. These days, condoms are also used for collecting semen for the infertility treatment for men. Condoms do not cost much for its users. It can be bought in any drug or medicine stores. Moreover, usage of condoms does not require a prescription or medication as it rarely has any side effects. Condoms are easy to dispose and use which again enhances its advantages as a preferable contraceptive (Center for Young Women’s Health, “Pros and Cons of Different Contraceptive Methods”). However, condoms also possess a few disadvantages. For instance, with every intercourse process the users need to get a new condom that means it is usable only for once and are strictly not re-usable. It is accused of interrupting the spirit of love making and thus is avoided by the users in certain instances. Condoms are often found to be allergic to women, especially, in the case of latex condoms. This makes the usage of condoms uncomfortable at times which in turn tends to inhibit the user preferences for such contraceptives (Center for Young Women’s Health, “Pros and Cons of Different Contraceptive Methods”). Cost of Condoms The price or the cost for condoms varies widely in different places of the world. The varied cost for condoms depends on the availability of the raw materials, technologies used while manufacturing those, its features or styles and most importantly the demand from the users which is often based on the cultural and social trends (Evans, “Price of condoms, tires and rubber gloves to soar”; Total Mania, “Condom Prices around the World”). Availability of Condoms Condoms are available in almost any and every chemist or drug shop. These contraceptive are easily available and accessible to its users as it does not require any kind of medical instruction. Even though the condoms are available worldwide, it is mostly used by the people who are sexually active. Thus, the availability of condoms depends largely on the demand of condoms by the users in a particular region (ICASO, “Barriers to Condom Access: Setting an Advocacy Agenda”). Conclusion Condom protects its users from unwanted pregnancy and sexually transmitted diseases. Moreover, it has been in use since long and has been observed to get impressively advanced in the 20th century based on its users’ demand. Condoms are available in various styles and prices all around the world. Even though it has certain disadvantages, still it is one of the most chosen contraceptive methods today. Therefore, people in all over the world should not feel ashamed of campaigning regarding the usage of condoms and make others aware of the contraceptive, as “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure”. Works Cited Australian Government. “Feeling Confident about Condoms”. March 29, 2012. Internet, 2010. Condoms Review. “Material Used”. March 29, 2012. Condoms, 2011. Center for Young Women’s Health. “Pros and Cons of Different Contraceptive Methods”. March 29, 2012. Home, 2012. Evans, Martin. “Price of condoms, tires and rubber gloves to soar”. March 29, 2012.The Telegraph, 2010. ICASO. “Barriers to Condom Access: Setting an Advocacy Agenda”. March 29, 2012. Methodology, 2007. Marie Stopes International. “Cover the World with Condoms”. March 29, 2012. Documents, 2003. Total Mania. “Condom Prices around the World”. March 29, 2012. Home, 2008. University of Hawai’i System. “The Truth about Condoms”. March 29, 2012. History of the Condom, 2000. Read More