The Australians — those tan, Adonis-like creatures — have finally outdone themselves, creating the ultimate aphrodisiac: a new condom featuring STI-killing lube. In the coming months, Aussie biotech company Starpharma is set to release VivaGel, a lubricant that attacks the viruses that cause HIV, genital herpes, and HPV, inactivating up to 99.9% of these STIs. Already approved for distribution in Australia and Japan, VivaGel is about to enter phase three of its FDA-sanctioned clinical testing as a treatment for bacterial vaginosis. Here’s hoping VivaGel lives up to its claims and makes its way across the pond — and that the condom doesn’t break.
Because, despite the best intentions of our high-school health teachers, STIs are on the rise. According to a recent report by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, cases of chlamydia rose by 6% between 2011 and 2013, while incidents of gonorrhea and syphilis increased by 22%, most notably among young people ages 20 to 30. What's to blame for this STI spike? Possibly a decline in the national "fear factor," with the U.S. AIDS crisis a presumed thing of the past.
We all know the only 100% safe sex is no sex, but where's the fun in that? So, for the safest sex possible, put a condom on it — and, in a few months, go out and splurge on some exotic (and erotic?) VivaGel.