Stickmans guide to Bangkok http://www.stickmanbangkok.com now has a banner ad linking to the following site, selling "pre-fix invisible condoms", no rubber, just apply the liquid liberally before use and rub on.

Is this too good to be true, or is it a highly dangerous and expensive con?

http://www.freedomantiviral.com/indexstick.htm

I did a Google search for it and came across this:


3. Unproven "Freedom Lube" sold on internet
*******************************************

Advocates across North American have been contacting the Global Campaign
in recent weeks to inquire about a product called "Freedom Lube" that is
being promoted through internet outreach as "an anti-viral sexual
lubricant that helps to prevent transmission of sexually transmitted
diseases (STDs)."

The makers of Freedom Lube advertise their products as containing a broad
pastiche of ingredients "shown to be very effective in preventing
transmission of the HIV virus". The web site
(http://freedomantiviral.com/antiviral_lube.htm) describes the product as
containing twelve categories of active ingredients -- many of them,
ironically, compounds that are now in individual clinical trials as
potential microbicides. It goes on to state that "[u]sing Freedom Lube
greatly reduces the risk of contracting HIV" and notes that "[a]lthough
many microbicidal lubricants are under development, Freedom Lube is the
only one currently on the market"

The Freedom Lube line includes a range of products including, at the high
end, a 100 ml. bottle of the "Pre-Fix Invisible Condom" costing $54. This
miraculous product, they state, is "[c]linically proven to help prevent
the transmission of Herpes, HIV virus that causes AIDS, Genital Warts,
HPV, Chlamydia, Gonorrhea, and other STDs".

We have contacted the promoters of this product requesting citations for
the data supporting these claims but have received no response. It is
once again our obligation, therefore, to remind the public that NO sexual
lubricant has yet been proven to have microbicidal or antiviral properties
sufficient to justify promoting it for HIV prevention among humans.

Our Campaign partner, the National Women's Health Network, is also
pursuing this issue with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which is
responsible for regulating advertising of dietary supplements and other
"natural" products. This issue has come up previously in relation to
similar products (see Erogel and Irish Moss discussed in June 30 issue of
the GC News). Alerted by our eyes and ears in the field to the
unsupported claims being made for unproven products, the Campaign will
push both the FDA and the FTC, as appropriate, to hold these manufacturers
accountable for any unsubstantiated or false claims and for misleading
advertisements.

Please contact Anna Forbes, Global North Programs Coordinator, at
asforbes@path-dc.org if you become aware of any other products designed
for vaginal or rectal use that are currently being promoted as proven
microbicides.


Source: Global Campaign News, August 19, 2003

Is it approved by the FDA?

This sounds like a very dangerous gimmick. They are promoting this as an "invisible" condom? That sounds like suicide to the company as well as people that think they have protection against STD's.

There is no real way to contact the promoter or the company manufacturing this "miracle" lubricant for questioning. The only way to talk to them at this point is by email. Red flag number 1!

I read their "testimonials". These things sound as phoney as the product they are selling. Their products claim to immediately clear up herpes outbreaks and prevent the spread of STD. Note that there are no names attached to these testimonial. Red flag number 2!


Don't be a fool and think these are a substitute for a STD barrier. Wear a condom.

Thanks Xenono for the heads up.

JDX

They are probably only selling a ridiculously overpriced generic version of good ol' Astroglide. There IS some legitimate research that Astroglide and some other common lubricants do actually kill HIV virus. Of course legitimate researchers are not saying that makes it an "invisible condom". It takes unscrupulous sales people to make that claim. But that is all they are probably selling. Dramatically overpriced generic Astroglide with some unsubstantiated claims based on incomplete research.

If you want the real story read http://www.utmb.edu/newsroom/01pr_archive/jul_2001/lubricant.htm . It is a fascinating research study. Since I like Astroglide anyway, it certainly can't hurt to use it on the chance it decreases my odds of catching HIV as well, but the invisible condom theory is a bit of a stretch. In Cambodia I went through 30 condoms and a whole bottle of Astroglide so I ought to be safe.

HIV is very fragile, but I doubt if a water-based lube like KY or Astroglide would really do much in the way of protection. Perhaps an oil-based lube, but they are not recommended to use with condoms because the petrochemicals can weaken the condom and cause it to break.

I am by no means reading more into the research study than what it specifically says. Even the scientist who did the research says "No one should use these substances assuming that they will protect you from contracting HIV"

None the less University of Texas is a legitimate organization and the research is if nothing else very interesting. Read the url posted above. It is very interesting. Their premise is that water based lube deactivates the HIV virus in much the same way saliva does. HIV transmission from oral sex is rare and they wisely questioned why that is. They postulate that saliva is deactivating the HIV virus. I don't disagree with the researchers statement "No one should use these substances assuming that they will protect you from contracting HIV" but I really like Astroglide allot because it feels really good and if there is some chance it decreases my chances of contracting HIV, all the better. My real point was that this is all the more the shysters with the original product mentioned here are selling. Save your money.

BTW it only mentions Astroglide, Silken Secret, and Vagisil. KY is notably absent from the list.

Me likes Astroglide.

Astroglide good.

Sancho, the reason you ain't going to become HIV positive getting a BBBJ:

* the gastro-intestine tract/region is not hospitable to viruses (assuming they have no bleeding ulcers or have not undergone dental surgery in the last week)

* saliva does not transmit the virus (i.e. sucker > suckee).

* saliva may inhibit the virus (in case the sucker has abrasions in her throat from deep throat banging).

The last time I checked CDC, there is not a documented case of HIV transmition by getting sucked. The risk remains theoretical. There are a few cases of the sucker getting infected-- in all cases very bad dental hygiene (i.e open infections) and/or ulcers were noted.