January 5, 2005
YOU'RE SAFE IF YOUR DATE THINKS YOU'RE A MACY'S FLOAT:
Condom testing reveals best brands: Planned Parenthood condom performs worst (Reuters, January 4, 2005)
The consumers group best known for rating cars and washing machines has turned its testing prowess to condoms to find out which ones measure up best and how other birth control methods compare. [...]The group says its review of contraceptives was not politically motivated, although there is an intense debate among health professionals and advocacy groups about the focus on abstinence-only education by the Bush administration. [...]
Consumers Union uses standardized tests to rate the products it examines, which for latex condoms involves filling them with air. There is no accepted method to test silicon or non-latex condoms.
"You end up with a balloon 3 feet tall and a foot wide. They can really stretch an amazing amount," Metcalf said in a telephone interview.
It wasn't politically motivated but they tested them in a way that no one uses them? Posted by Orrin Judd at January 5, 2005 6:16 PM
Lots of things are tested in ways they aren't used. I think it would be, um, impractical to test condoms the way they are used....
Posted by: PapayaSF at January 5, 2005 6:24 PMWell, the cynic in me would say you can't perform an abortion if the condom works, which would explain the Planned Parenthood brand's problems. But anyone who needs a condom that can expand to three feet tall by one foot wide probably isn't getting anyone pregnant to begin with.
Posted by: John at January 5, 2005 6:24 PM
> Well, the cynic in me would say you can't perform an abortion if the condom works, which would explain the Planned Parenthood brand's problems.
I must have a cynic in me too... the thought popped into my head roughly 2 seconds after reading "Planned Parenthood condom performs worst".
Posted by: Guy T. at January 5, 2005 8:05 PMJust like the dentist who gives you a lollipop when you leave his office.
Posted by: NKR at January 5, 2005 9:12 PMOJ: the "air burst" test is one of the standard ways of testing condoms:
http://www.thebody.com/Forums/AIDS/SafeSex/Archive/PreventionSexual/Q8951.html
http://www.condomx.com/home/rfsu/q_test/
Posted by: PapayaSF at January 5, 2005 9:15 PMIt just occurred to me... wouldn't water be a better way to test them? It's heavier and the leaks would be a lot more visible.
Posted by: Guy T. at January 5, 2005 9:45 PM