Empty carton of 3 'Assure' spermicidally lubricated Type A condoms, with instruction leaflet, manufactured by LRC Products Ltd, England, c1993 (expiry date December 1996)

Part of a small personal collection of condoms and packaging dating from around the 1990s, this product is an example of the increased use of condoms internationally following the emergence of HIV and AIDS. Previously marketed as contraception, condom products diversified as they began to be targeted at a wider range of people, which led to new flavours, textures, and colours.

Spermicidally lubricated condoms are coated with a layer of spermicide, a chemical that immobilises sperm in order to stop it from reaching and fertilising an egg. While the active ingredient of most spermicides, nonoxynol-9, was once thought to provide additional protection against sexually transmitted diseases (STIs), there is no evidence that spermicidally lubricated condoms are more effective at preventing pregnancy or infection than regular condoms. Spermicide may even increase the risk of STIs when used frequently.