Vending Machine Condoms

The availability of condoms is a big issue for those who are trying to practice safe sex. Everyone knows that a condom can be bought in pharmacies and in many supermarkets but not always is the person that must buy this product comfortable in making this purchase where they can be seen. Young men, and for that matter many men, find it embarrassing to have to deal with a cashier, often a women, when buying condoms. Sometimes they will get their girlfriend to make the purchase, but even a young teen girl finds it is embarrassing, feeling like the whole world knows she is going to have sex with her boyfriend. This is one of the biggest problems with ensuring safe sex for younger people.

There is one option that can help. There are condom vending machines where condoms can be purchased without the buyer having to deal with another human. These machines are put in many places that are convenient to buy from. Pharmacies often have them outside the stores so that they can be purchased twenty four hours a day seven days a week. They can also be found on many university campuses, in restaurant bathrooms and sometimes outside free clinics. They are also often available at subway stations. This gives access to many young people who otherwise would be reluctant to make this purchase. The anonymity encourages them to buy and so to practice safe sex.

However, there are some important things to remember when purchasing condoms from a vending machine. When buying one be certain to check the expiration date on the package. An old condom can become brittle and so be useless as a means of protection. As well, they should be labeled specifically that they offer protection against sexually transmitted diseases, STDs, this is very important. Check the label to see what they are made. This is for two purposes. One is that latex condoms seem to survive better in vending machines. The other reason is that some people are allergic to latex. If the person making the purchases is one of these people they should not buy one. The final concern about vending machine condoms is where the machine is. If it is located somewhere that gets direct sunlight for hours on end, or is in some way exposed to high temperatures then it is not the machine to make a purchase from as these high temperatures can damage the condoms.

In some places students are trying to get the vending machines put in residences on campus. There are different reactions to this suggestion. Some feel that it will encourage safe sex and so diminish the spread of sexually transmitted diseases. Others think it will merely encourage students to have sex. In this day and age when more young people have sex before marriage it seems the more that can be done to encourage the use of contraceptives, especially ones that also offer disease protection, is doing the right thing for young people.

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