Which condom to choose? The brands and their different models in the Chilean market
Men tend to answer 'anybody' when they ask us what condom we want at the pharmacy. They are so many and at times it seems that all the same, that we do not pay much attention at the time of taking us one.
Lack of inquiry on our part or simple disinterest, the truth is that not all are equal , and that has been concerned enough the industry, which ensures safety without neglecting the pleasure that requires its use.
Trojan XOXO Thin Softouch Lubricated Latex Condoms, 24 Count
But before learning to differentiate them, you have to know which ones are sold in our country, which has a fairly defined preference if we talk about market share.
The largest presence in Chile is the LifeStyle brand, which has 72% of the Share of Market , as revealed by the same company. They are followed by Durex , with 11%, and then come the brands Prudence , Security (without website) and Trojan .
The main channel of sales are pharmacies, some of which have exclusivity of sale with certain condoms. This is the case of Security, which is only sold by Cruz Verde; Prudence and Trojan by Fasa; while Durex, in SalcoBrand.
"Non-traditional sales channels such as supermarkets, service stations, sex shops and botilleries have been incorporating condoms into their product mix, which has brought the category closer to consumers, mainly young people, but there is still a lot of development of these channels that allows to develop more this category ", explains Enrique Bruñol, of LifeStyle, to BioBioChile .
In some countries, for example, condom dispensers are common and although they exist in our country, they are very scarce.
More than just latex
Even though latex seems to be the only material with which condoms are made, in practice other base elements are also used, such as polyurethane and polyisoprene.
The Mexican magazine specializing in manufacturing industry, explains that polyurethane "was the first of these alternative materials to the growing number of people allergic to latex, according to the World Health Organization (WHO), amounts to 6% of the total population of the world".
Although it is made from latex, it has a treatment with proteins that avoid the allergic reaction of some people.
On the other hand, "polyisoprene is the most recent alternative that is being proposed by condom brands all over the world because it is made with natural materials, such as sap".
Just the latter (the polyisoprene) know in Lifestyle, which has dedicated an exclusive line under the brand Skyn Lifestyle. This is characterized by being "thinner achieving greater sensitivity, and more resistant".
LifeStyle
In this line we find:
- Intense Fells : It has some studs that give a greater sensitivity to women facilitating orgasm. At the same time, they have extra lubricated that favors a faster and more comfortable penetration.
- Large : It has a larger diameter according to the physiognomy of different men.
- Classic or Original Skyn : Gives a feeling of "not using anything" given the thinness of its material, which invites a sexual relationship with full sensitivity.
In latex, the variety is extensive and will be just those that we will briefly explain to take into account when buying.
- Ultra sensitive (Nude) : It is the thinnest of the variety and is the most preferred by Chilean consumers, for its quality of giving more sensitivity to the couple.
- Studded (Rough Rider) : It is a condom textured with studs, which stimulates the woman to facilitate a more pleasant orgasm.
- Vibra ribbed (also Stimula) : It is a textured condom with rings which allow to give a greater sensitivity to women.
- Climax Control : it is a condom with retardant that allows prolonging the relationship for longer, ideally thought for those who suffer from premature ejaculation, but also for others who want hours of intimacy.
- Forte : It is a much thicker condom than the rest, with .089mm thickness and water based lubrication.
- Large : It is a condom with a larger diameter and flared shape that gives a better feeling and comfort to the man.
Durex
- Prolonged pleasure : Similar to Climax control. It contains a special lubricant on the inside that prolongs the pleasure, and helps to delay the climax of man.
- Maximum pleasure : Textured with stitches and stretch marks, ensure greater stimulation. They are anatomically designed and textured, as well as flavored.
- Sensitive thin : They have anatomical shape and are thinner for a greater sensation.
- Ultra-thin Sensitive : Compared to other standard Durex latex condoms, it is the most sensitive because it is - as the name suggests - much thinner. On average, these condoms are 20% thinner and help maximize sensation.
- Extra insurance : It is the simile of the LifeStyle Forte. Much thicker than the standard Durex condom, also known as Classic.
As you will notice, in general, condom brands have similar products . We purposely omit the flavored and colored ones, as those are found in all brands, and the variety is extensive. Likewise, we present only two brands because together they have almost 90% of the quota in Chile.
A good alternative to learn more about condoms is the online store LaCondoneria.cl , which explains in detail a varied catalog.
And those of Government?
Agencia UNO
UNO Agency
If a myth exists around the condoms that the Government gives, it is that they are of poor quality and break fast, something that in 2004 meant a protest by Traves Chile and the PPD youth.
On that date, according to La Cuarta , it was ensured that "the poor and sexual minorities" were the groups "most exposed to contracting AIDS due to the poor quality of condoms".
Who is in charge of this is the Ministry of Health, which mandates the Central National Supply (Cenabast) to acquire the products. The bidding requires compliance with a series of ISO regulations, in addition to others of an international nature.
"All products that Cenabast purchases must meet the requirements stipulated in our bidding rules. In the case of condoms, for example, they must comply with the requirement of resistance and extra resistance determined in the glosses of the bases , but also, subject to mandatory control (supreme decree No.825 / 1998) with ISP registration, "they explained from the entity to BioBioChile .
In turn, they discarded the myth and commented that to this day there is no record of formal complaints about the quality of condoms.
Specialists, consulted by CNN Chile , agree that it is the basic aspect that has generated this feeling of being of poor quality. In addition, if a condom is broken mostly occurs due to misuse, be it a government or market condom.
But far from belief, in practice public condoms are highly demanded . It is enough to know that only so far this year the Government has bought about 7 million condoms, as confirmed from the Cenabast.