The condom is the most widely used and safe method of preventing sexually transmitted infections and unwanted pregnancy. The condom has a centuries-old, if not thousands of, history. Although people were probably aware of the connection between ejaculate, pregnancy and diseases such as syphilis in ancient times, convincing evidence for the use of condoms, in the modern sense of the word, did not appear until the 16th century in Italy. In one of his medical works, the Italian physician Gabriele Fallopio described the use of a piece of sheet soaked in a chemical solution and dried to prevent syphilis. The piece of cloth is placed over the glans penis where it is held in place with a string. Since then, Fallopio’s idea has slowly but surely been making its way across Europe. However, it would take several hundred years and the introduction of latex into mass production before the condom became widely available. But what has made it so successful? Above all, it is the unique combination of qualities. The condom is cheap, readily available, easy to use, highly effective and safe. NEWS_MORE_BOX Latex condoms, and that means most condoms, are extremely flexible – they can stretch up to eight times their natural length before breaking. Although latex is a natural material, it can be an allergen or skin irritant (irritant) in some people. It is not without other disadvantages, especially incompatibility with lubricants such as petroleum jelly, mineral oils and all products containing fat. This is because latex dissolves in fat, making the condom thinner and less resistant. These two disadvantages have given impetus to the development of the polyurethane analogue. Its biggest advantages are that it is much less allergenic than latex, that it can be applied with lubricants containing fat, and also that it is a better conductor of heat. The properties of latex and polyurethane also allow the condom to be shaped, giving it relief. Regardless of the material from which they are made, condoms allow the use of additional spermicides, which further increase their effectiveness in preventing pregnancy. Some condoms have factory-added nonoxynol-9, an organic spermicide. What makes condoms so popular, however, is their unmatched effectiveness in preventing sexually transmitted infections. This is especially true for HIV; syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc. However, this does not mean complete elimination of the risk, as some of the infections can also be transmitted through the oral mucosa, saliva, injured skin.