Condoms

Condoms function as realistically as possible, although they do tend to leave a bit less to the imagination than other aspects of the system. Their properties have been chosen to match typical SL role-playing scenarios.

If you're unconcerned with proper usage and the details of how condoms work, you can ignore most of these instructions; the "How Condoms Work," "Basic Condom Usage" sections are all you need to get started. However, if you'd like to learn how to use them effectively (or, for that matter, *ineffectively*), keep reading!

How Condoms Work

Condoms are meant to prevent pregnancy by blocking insemination. Pregnancy does not necessarily occur simply because insemination has -- it simply becomes possible. Condoms are not perfect, nor are their users.

Basic Condom Usage

Condoms are purchased in boxes (e.g., 12-packs).

Condoms may be applied (and removed) whether or not you are coupled. To use a condom, rez a box nearby. This can be done by either partner, although condoms can presently only be applied by males.

The male must click on the box of condoms and will be given a choice of how to apply the condom (e.g., "quickly" or "carefully"). The box will privately inform the male that it has been applied and whether the condom has expired. The box will also whisper that a condom has been applied, but only the brand name and how it was applied (quickly or carefully).

There will also be an indication of the condition of the condom (based on how far it is beyond its expiration).

At this point, the condom is in place, and will prevent orgasm resulting in insemination to the extent that's possible by the quality of the condom and how it was applied.

The condom may be removed by the male by clicking on his Deciduan HUD.

Messages regarding condom use are sometimes whispered instead of being directly sent to the user. Be aware of this if using in a public area.

Boxes of Condoms

Condoms are available in a couple of varieties: a reputable commercial brand, and an inexpensive generic (or "economy") brand. The brands differ somewhat in their quality.

When a box is first rezzed, an expiration date is set on the condoms inside. Condoms are typically good for about 90 SL days (about 15 RL days). The higher quality condoms tend to be the freshest, while the economy brand tends to vary a bit. The expiration (in remaining days) is announced whenever the box is rezzed -- only the box owner will be informed of the exact expiration.

(For those interested in the technical details of why expirations are set this way, it requires quite a bit more user interaction to set an expiration at the time of purchase -- we're keeping things simple.)

(Also, in Real Life, condoms typically last *much* longer -- a shorter expiration was chosen to facilitate SL role-playing scenarios.)

Condom Efficacy

As in Real Life, there are a few rules for properly using condoms, and condoms *do* have their limitations.

Slippage

Condoms may slip off during usage. If so, a new one must be reapplied immediately. If a condom slips off, both partners will be made aware. In many cases, the male (but *only* the male) may become aware that it is slipping before it does, but it *can* happen unexpectedly.

Condom slippage is affected by the quality of the condom, and how it was applied (quickly or carefully).

Condoms are far more likely to slip following male orgasm, and should be removed as quickly as possible afterward, and a fresh one used if further intercourse is desired.

If a condom is not replaced after orgasm and it slips off, insemination will occur immediately when it slips off. Its benefit will have been lost and subsequent pregnancy is now a risk.

Breakage

Condoms *can* break during orgasm, particularly the lower-quality ones. It's relatively rare for condoms that are within their expiration date, but condoms will degrade after the expiration, even more-so for the economy condoms.

A condom will only break during orgasm. The male is *generaly* (but not always) made aware of this, and there's a somewhat smaller chance that the female will notice, as well.

When a broken condom is removed, the male is always made aware that it has broken. There's a 50% chance that he'll be able to conceal it (i.e., only he is made aware that it broke).

Suffice it to say that when a condom breaks, it will have been useless against preventing insemination.

Aeros Condoms

Some of the higher-end Aeros male parts support a condom layer. When used with Deciduan condoms, this layer will automatically appear whenever a condom is applied, and disappear if the condom is removed or slips off. Additionally, you can activate the Aeros condom layer from the Aeros HUD; this will simulate quickly applying an economy condom (i.e., the lowest protection).