BY: VALERIE ANN DISMAYA
When it comes to birth control, pills and implants are commonly mentioned.
Of course, one of the oldest methods used to prevent unplanned pregnancies and sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) is the condom.
But did you know that condoms aren’t just for men?
Yes, you heard that right.
There are also condoms made for women!
And today, February 13, we celebrate World Condom Day, just a day before Valentine’s Day.
This was initiated by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) to promote safe sex and prevent STDs.
With the continuous rise in HIV/AIDS and other infectious diseases, health organizations around the world are actively pushing for its use.
But where and when did condoms originate?
Since ancient times, people have used different materials to cover sensitive body parts to prevent infections and pregnancy.
In China, condoms made of silk paper with an oil coating were recorded.
In Europe during the 1600s, goat intestines were used as protection.
In Japan, some condoms were made from turtle shells.
But in the 1800s, rubber condoms were invented—though they were very thick and uncomfortable.
By the 1920s, softer latex condoms were introduced, which remain the most commonly used type worldwide today.
And now, condoms aren’t just for men.
There are also female condoms, or what’s called the internal condom.
These were designed to provide women with more options for reproductive health choices.
According to the World Health Organization, condoms are 98% effective when used correctly.
Aside from birth control, they have also been proven to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS, gonorrhea, and syphilis.
So remember, condoms are not just tools for safe sex—
They are an essential part of public health and family planning.
