Age-old contraceptive distributed at peak levels in Madison County

Caleb Amick, The Herald Bulletin, Anderson, Ind.
Updated ·2 min read

Jun. 7—ANDERSON — Celebrations like prom mark peak periods of sexual activity in Madison County, said Tiffany Denton, outreach director for the Madison County Health Department.

Such occasions are associated with increased demand for condoms. MCHD's demand increased to about 5,000 condoms per week, according to minutes from the April 12 health board meeting.

Nearly two months later, that number remains unchanged, Denton said.

MCHD Administrator Stephenie Mellinger said such amounts are on the high side but are not out of the ordinary.

Condoms and other items are a first line of defense against problems like sexually transmitted diseases, alongside testing, Denton said.

STDs continue to be an issue in Madison County, which Denton partially attributed to decreased testing during COVID-19 restrictions.

Sexually active individuals should be tested at least once per year. More active individuals should be tested with each new partner, according to Denton.

STD mitigation efforts are funded via a state disease intervention grant, Mellinger said. Condoms, however, are not purchased via the grant but are given as a consequence of the grant.

Those needing condoms or other help should stop by the MCHD office, Denton said.

Far from being a recent invention, condoms in a variety of forms have a long, studied history.

The first documented use was in 3,000 B.C. by the mythical Greek king Minos, who used a sheath made from a goat bladder to protect his wife Pasiphae, according to an article from the Indian Journal of Urology.

Before the sheath, coitus with King Minos was a deadly affair; each of his mistresses died after intercourse.

Unlike those of today, they did not prevent pregnancy. Pasiphae birthed eight children after using the goat bladder.

Around 1,000 A.D., Egyptian men wore sheaths of varying colors. Such colors showed their social status.

The Romans used condoms as a means of protecting against diseases such as syphilis. They were also made from sheep or goat bladders or intestines.

Follow Caleb Amick on Twitter @AmickCaleb. Contact him at caleb.amick@heraldbulletin.com or 765-648-4254.