Flat lay of colourful condoms arranged on a pink background with bold text overlay reading ‘Safe Sex Just Got Smarter – Condoms that change colour the second they hit an STI, plus anti-aging lube and digital firewalls.

The Condom That Detects STIs? Here’s What’s Really Changed

From colour-changing hype to anti-aging latex and digital firewalls

Back in 2015, a trio of UK teenagers blew up the internet with an invention straight out of Black Mirror: a condom that could change colour if it detected a sexually transmitted infection (STI). Green for chlamydia, purple for HPV, yellow for herpes — basically a traffic light for your sex life. The media went wild, the kids took home a science prize, and everyone had a laugh. But here’s the thing: that glow-in-the-dark promise never made it past the lab bench.

A decade later, the real action in sexual wellness isn’t in gimmicks — it’s in condoms that hydrate like a serum, condoms you can roll on before you’re even hard, and apps that block revenge porn with a single tap. Here’s what’s genuinely changing the future of safe sex in 2025.

The BioHax Take

That colour-changing condom? Great for clicks, useless for bedrooms. But the safe sex industry hasn’t been sleeping, it’s been reinventing itself around comfort, spontaneity, privacy, and prevention. If you think condoms are just awkward mood-killers, it’s time to upgrade your intel.

How It Worked (On Paper)

The idea was antibodies embedded in latex reacting to pathogens in semen or vaginal fluid. In theory, the condom would turn colours to flag an infection. In reality, there were zero trials, no FDA pathway, and a dozen unanswered questions (what if both partners had different infections? what if it misfired mid-session?). It’s stayed exactly where it started: as a viral science headline.

Read the original Science.org article here
TIME’s coverage of the teen invention

What’s Actually New

1. Pre-Erection Condoms

Think condoms only work when you’re already hard? Not anymore. New designs from brands like Kamyra and Uniq Smart use a synthetic resin called AT-10 that can be rolled on while flaccid — and stay in place for up to two hours before sex.

Why it matters: no more pause-the-movie moments. You can suit up early, stay spontaneous, and still get full protection.
Bonus: they’re ultra-thin (0.01mm), but tough enough to pass durability standards.

Read more in the New York Post
You can pick it up directly via this eBay listing.

2. Anti-Aging Condoms

This isn’t a wellness parody — it’s an actual product. Durex, owned by Reckitt, rolled out hyaluronic acid–infused condoms in China in late 2022, with a new upgraded version hitting shelves in 2024.

Hyaluronic acid is the same hydration hero used in skincare serums and fillers.
Instead of the chalky lube condoms usually come with, these deliver moisturising, skin-smoothing benefits during sex.
Women are driving sales — making up more than one-third of buyers — a huge shift in the condom market.
The HA condom line has seen double-digit sales growth in China and is primed for global rollout.

Standard UK business news on Reckitt’s sales surge

If you’re curious to try them yourself, you can pick up Frenchie’s ultra-thin, hyaluronic acid–lubricated Beret condoms via Australian stockists like Integrated Health.

Photo Credit: Frenchie / Get Frenchie - Frenchie hyaluronic acid–lubricated condoms in buttercup packs and retail box packaging. Features include natural rubber latex, pH-balanced formula, gluten- and fragrance-free, moisturising hyaluronic acid lube, ultra-thin 0.05mm design, and standard fit size (180mm x 53mm).

3. Digital Condoms

It’s 2025, and the threat isn’t just STIs — it’s iPhones. Enter Camdom, a German app marketed as the world’s first “digital condom.”

One tap and it blocks nearby phones from recording audio or video while you’re intimate.
If someone tries to record, it triggers an alarm.
It’s essentially a firewall for your sex life, designed to protect against revenge porn and accidental leaks.

Read the full story on the New York Post

Camdom is currently available on Android, with an iOS version expected soon (NDTV).

4. Home Testing & Doxy-PEP

Safe sex is no longer just about barriers — it’s about proactive prevention.

At-home STI testing is emerging locally, but Australia doesn’t yet have an approved self-test for syphilis like the U.S. “First to Know.” The Burnet Institute is developing the country’s first rapid syphilis self-test, which is currently undergoing approval and could soon make home testing a reality.
Doxycycline post-exposure prophylaxis (Doxy-PEP) is gaining attention in Australia. ASHM (Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine) issued a 2023–24 consensus statement recommending Doxy-PEP primarily for gay and bisexual men at high risk of syphilis. Clinical data shows a single 200 mg dose taken within 72 hours of sex can significantly reduce syphilis and chlamydia rates — though concerns remain about antibiotic resistance.
It’s not yet mainstream policy, but pilot programs and clinical discussions are underway, and health authorities are watching closely.

Vox deep dive on Doxy-PEP and STI prevention
Read ASHM’s position statement on Doxy-PEP.

5. Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs)

Imagine one product that handles pregnancy, HIV, and STI prevention all at once. That’s the vision behind MPTs, which combine contraception and antiviral/antimicrobial protection into gels, rings, or devices.

Several prototypes are in early-stage development.
The idea is simple: instead of juggling pills, patches, and condoms, one product covers multiple risks.
It’s about convenience, adherence, and reducing stigma — especially for women in high-risk regions.

Read about MPTs on Wikipedia

Why It Matters

Sexual health is shifting from awkward, one-size-fits-all latex to a full ecosystem of prevention and pleasure tech. Condoms are evolving, antibiotics are acting as STI firewalls, and even your phone can be part of your protection plan. With STI rates climbing worldwide, the need for innovation is urgent — and finally, the industry is delivering.

Who’s Behind It

Durex (Reckitt) — leading the charge with hyaluronic acid condoms.
Okamoto (Japan) — pushing ultra-thin HA condom tech globally.
Camdom (Germany) — innovators in digital intimacy protection.
Researchers worldwide — testing Doxy-PEP and piloting MPT pipelines.

BioHax Takeaway

The colour-changing condom was a headline, not a revolution. The real future of safe sex is here: condoms that hydrate like skincare, condoms that don’t kill the mood, antibiotics that stop STIs before they start, and tech that guards your privacy harder than a VPN. Welcome to safe sex 2.0.

Frequently Asked Questions

Did the colour-changing condom ever hit shelves?
No. It was a science-fair fantasy that went viral in 2015. Great headline, zero follow-through.

Why didn’t the colour-changing condom happen?
Because biology is messy. Detecting multiple infections, ensuring accuracy, and making it safe was way harder than the headline made it sound.

Are anti-aging condoms real or a PR stunt?
They’re real. Durex launched hyaluronic acid–infused condoms in China. Think skincare serum meets condom. Moisture, comfort, less friction burn.

Do hyaluronic acid condoms actually work?
Yes. They’re condoms first, hydrators second. They’ve seen huge uptake, especially among women, which is rare in condom marketing.

Can I buy anti-aging condoms online?
Yep. They’re popping up on Walmart, eBay, and Asian retailers. Wider rollout is expected soon.

What are pre-erection condoms?
Condoms made from AT-10 resin that can be rolled on while flaccid and worn for hours. Basically, put it on early and forget about the mood-killer pause.

Are pre-erection condoms safe?
Yes. They’ve passed strength and safety testing, even though they’re ultra-thin (0.01mm).

What are digital condoms?
Not latex. An app. Camdom blocks nearby phones from recording or eavesdropping during sex. If someone tries, it triggers an alarm.

Do digital condoms stop revenge porn?
They help. Nothing’s 100%, but it’s a strong new layer of protection against non-consensual filming.

What is Doxy-PEP?
A “morning-after antibiotic” — one dose of doxycycline after sex can slash syphilis and chlamydia risk. It’s in rollout for high-risk groups.

Is Doxy-PEP safe for everyone?
Doctors are cautious. Overuse could lead to antibiotic resistance, so it’s not a free-for-all yet.

What’s the latest in STI testing?
At-home test kits you can use like a pregnancy test. FDA has approved a syphilis self-test. Quick, private, no clinic waiting room.

What are Multipurpose Prevention Technologies (MPTs)?
Next-gen products that combine birth control + HIV/STI prevention in one. Imagine one device handling all risks.

Why do we need all this innovation if condoms work?
Because STI rates are climbing, condom use is dropping, and people want convenience, comfort, and discretion.

Do these new condoms still protect as well as regular ones?
Yes — they’re still regulated as medical devices, meaning they need to meet the same safety standards.

Will anti-aging condoms make me look younger?
No — but they’ll hydrate and make sex smoother. Think comfort, not Botox.

Are these new condoms environmentally friendly?
Most are still latex or plastic-like. Eco condoms exist, but HA and AT-10 resins haven’t gone green yet.

What’s next in sexual wellness tech?
Think “all-in-one” products, digital intimacy tools, antibiotic preventives, and condoms that are as much about pleasure as protection.