An Indiana University researcher is designing a new female condom — one of 11 projects recently funded by a Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation global health initiative to “develop the next generation of condom.”
“Right now one of the challenges has been that female condoms haven’t been widely used, even though they’ve been out now for some years and are highly effective and safe,” said Debby Herbenick, co-director of IU’s Center for Sexual Health Promotion.
Herbenick received a $100,000 grant to design a new female condom that aims to be easier and more comfortable to use while also enhancing sexual experience.
A female condom is a latex barrier that a woman inserts, as opposed to one worn by a man. Herbenick’s ribbed concept will be tested both in the U.S. and in India, she said.
The $150-million Grand Challenges Exploration initiative distributes initial $100,000 grants two times a year, according to a press release. The foundation announced Tuesday funding for 55 projects, including Herbenick’s.
Successful projects can apply for a second grant of up to $1 million.
Reinventing the condom to be more pleasurable could encourage more people to use the contraceptive. In turn, that could lead to a reduction in the spread of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections, as well as a reduction in unplanned pregnancies, the foundation said.
“Part of that challenge is, how do you create products that people want to use?” Herbenick said.
Herbenick’s research at IU has also included the widely cited National Survey of Sexual Health and Behavior.
Source: http://www.indystar.com/
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