STI-Detecting Color-Changing Condoms Aren't Happening
The news of teenagers inventing a new revolutionary condom that would change the face of safe sex for good quickly went viral earlier this week. While this would be an interesting idea in theory, it's recently been reported that it's all a fluke.
According to Hopes & Fears, the contraceptive, which was marketed to change color when a sexually transmitted infection was detected, was tabloid bait created to target gullible minds. "The concept is cute and the teenagers involved won some money," the article read. "However, if you've ever gotten an STI screening in real life, and I don't blame middle schoolers for their lack of experience, you'll know that it takes a few days. There's a good reason it takes even a well-staffed hospital a while." Pun intended?
Though this is slightly disappointing news, let's look at this realistically. Finding out that your partner has an STI mid-intercourse could serve as an incredibly awkward experience for both parties involved. Also, such an idea negates and trivializes the importance of one getting tested with one's partner prior to engaging in sexual intercourse. So, while this idea has fallen through, it may have been for the better, as safe sex and personal responsibility should always reign in terms of sexual health.
Now that the truth is out, the push for a more effective and sitgma-free solution like mail-in testing could be given more necessary attention. "The stigma behind having an STI can't be reversed overnight, nor will magic condoms solve the spread of STIs," the article read. "A better interim solution would be to subsidize mail-in testing. You should be able to order a discrete box shipping to your home, and inside would be a sterile swab with a lidocaine tip, beause you'll need to swab your urethra, or do a quick blood prick test, and mail that back to a certified lab."
That's more practical and reliable. What do you think?
Seeing as today (June 27) is National HIV Testing Day, make the personal initiative to get tested and know your status.
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(Photo: Adam Haglund/Maskot/Corbis)
