The condom: A turbulent history

Abstract

Background and objectives The literature concerning the history of condoms is replete with errors. The paper Youssef published in 1993 is in our opinion the best. We update and expand the information.Methods To mention only established facts, we accessed primary sources, which are identified in the article.Findings The origin of the term ‘condom’ remains an enigma. Plausible hypotheses are that it is derived from either (i) the Latin ‘condĕre’ (to sheathe) or the corresponding noun ‘condus’ (receptacle); or (ii) the Venetian variant ‘gondon’ of the Italian word ‘guantone’ (glove). The earliest identified mention of a similar barrier method is in the legend of Minos and Pasiphae written (in the 2nd century AD) by Antoninus Liberalis. A penile sheath, made from animal gallbladder, was advocated in the 10th century by the Persian physician Al-Akhawayni. The earliest surviving condoms made of animal membranes date back to between 1642 and 1646. Such ‘skin’ condoms became increasingly popular for prevention of venereal disease, but as early as the 18th century their value as contraceptives was appreciated. Rubber condoms were available from 1855; since 1930, they are made of latex. We mention, in parallel, the most striking changes over time in sexual mores and behaviours, and illustrate these by referring to colourful figures such as, among others, Boswell, Mrs Philips, Casanova, Marguerite Gourdan, and Richard Carlile.Conclusion Papers related to this topic often contain errors, which we identify. Condoms over time evolved from animal gut receptacles to reliable contraceptives protecting also against certain sexually transmitted infections, including HIV.Chinese Abstract摘要背景和目的：关于避孕套历史的相关文献错误百出。在我们看来Youssef在1993年发表的文章是其中最好的。在此，我们对相关信息进行更新和扩展。研究方法：为了本文中所提及内容均为确定的事实，我们查阅了原始文献并在文章中注明。调查发现：‘condom’一词的词源仍是一个谜。似合理的假设包括它来源于 (i)拉丁语 ‘conde ?re’ (去遮盖) 或对应的名词‘condus’ (容器)；或 (ii) 意大利语‘guantone’ (手套)的威尼斯变体 ‘gondon’。最早，Antoninusliberalis在其所著的米诺斯和帕西法厄传说中提及了类似的屏障避孕法（公元前2世纪）。10世纪时的波斯医生AlAkhawayni提倡使用一种动物胆囊所制的阴茎套。存世至今最早的避孕套在1642年至1646年由动物膜所制。出于预防性病的目的，这类“皮肤”质地的避孕套越来越流行，但在18世纪它们避孕的价值才被得知。在1855年出现了橡胶制避孕套；1930年至今，避孕套由乳胶制成。同时我们提及了性观念和行为随着时间迁移的最显著变化，并通过描述丰富的人物形象包括Boswell，Mrs Philips，Casanova，Marguerite Gourdan和RrichardCarlile来阐明。结论：与本主题相关的论文通常含有错误并被我们所鉴定。随着时间推移，避孕套逐渐由动物消化道容贮演变为可靠的避孕用品，并可抵抗包括HIV在内的数种性传播感染。关键词避孕套，避孕，女用避孕套，避孕史，性传播感染

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