A condom is a thin, fitted tube. Condoms prevent pregnancies and STDs. They create a barrier that keeps semen and other body fluids out of the vagina, rectum, or mouth. It is also called a rubber or the barrier method. Control of fertility continues to be an important issue through the world even though the population growth rate has shown a steady decline in many countries, partly owing to the extensive use of condoms (male) or with use of the oral contraceptives (female). Rubber condoms (male) are used by the majority of man today for enjoying the sexual inter course.
According to the All India Institute of Medical Sciences, there are four types of condoms in vogue:
(a) Natural skin condoms: made from lamb intestine, rarely used nowadays. It provides better sensation, but does not protect from infection. Most viruses can cross the natural membrane;
(b) Latex condoms (0.3 - 0.8 mm thick) - sperms and organisms causing STIs cannot pass through these condoms;
(c) Polyurethane condoms: odourless, have greater sensitivity and resistance to deterioration from storage and lubricants; individuals with latex allergy can use polyurethane condoms;
(d) Silicon rubber condom: thicker and less popular
The use of condoms, conceived primarily as a tool for family planning to curtail population growth, has attained a primacy in arresting the spreading of the dreaded disease, AIDS. Hindustan Latex, the pioneering government enterprise, had initiated moves to set up a packaging unit and a distribution centre at Dubai in view of demand from the markets in the Middle East and other African countries.
Few Indian major players are as under:
· Aabha Contraceptives Pvt. Ltd.
· Bliss G V S Pharma Ltd.
· Cupid Ltd.
· H L L Lifecare Ltd.
· Indus Medicare Ltd.
· J K Ansell Pvt. Ltd.
· J K Pharmachem Ltd.
