“While we cannot pinpoint exactly why condom sales have seen an increase during these difficult economic times, it is likely the combination of a variety of factors,” Carol Carrozza, vice president of marketing for LifeStyles, wrote in an e-mailed statement.

“Shelling out a couple of bucks for a pack of condoms is definitely cheaper than the cost of raising a child. And when you consider the number of committed couples who were laid off at the same time … I’m sure they can only spend so much time job hunting on the Internet before hitting the sheets again.”

Durex spokeswoman Jennifer Grizzle said couples are practicing abstinence in one regard — spending money.

She said this could mean skipping a date in favor of staying in and, at the same time, taking precaution to prevent pregnancy.

“People are trying to save money,” she said.

“They might rent a movie and order a pizza instead of going out.

“One thing leads to another, and you can’t stop nature. Condoms are the most affordable contraceptive.”

Molecular biology sophomore Mike Crago said condom use can prevent larger costs down the road.

“A box of condoms is probably cheaper than a date,” he said.

“Plus, you don’t want to have kids if you can’t afford them. So if you’re thinking ahead, you (buy condoms).”

Big-time buyers

Universities and students are among the top condom customers. University health programs and condom companies often make arrangements to provide students with protection, Grizzle said.

“Students are not wanting to leave college with anything more than a degree,” she said. “(They don’t want) souvenirs such as STIs or pregnancies. And when you throw 1,000 to 10,000 coeds together, universities aren’t stupid — they know people are going to have sex. They’ve gotten very savvy about keeping kids safe.”

At MSU, students are offered free condoms by resident mentors in residence halls through Condom Connection, a program sponsored by MSU’s Olin Health Center and the Residence Halls Association.

Condoms also are available for 12 cents at Olin Health Center’s pharmacy.

Condoms are “really inexpensive,” Olin Health Education Services Coordinator Dennis Martell said. “There should be no reason why a person shouldn’t use a condom. There’s not a huge stigma about using them.”

More getting busy?

Martell said he doesn’t think intercourse is growing more prevalent at MSU, but said students are becoming more educated about the importance of safe sex. The number of MSU students identifying themselves as sexually active on the National College Health Assessment survey has leveled at 75 percent for the past eight years, he said.

“No one should read into it that we’re having more intercourse,” Martell said. “It’s more a factor of people being more responsible.

“STIs have gone down on campus, pregnancy has gone down, sex amounts have stayed the same.”

Any of the suspected reasons for the increase in condom sales could be true, MSU psychology professor emeritus Gary Stollak said.

“If you have 12 answers, they’re all correct,” he said. “If someone says it’s because they’re having a sale at Wal-Mart — 798 for the price of 800 — that could be a reason. If you ask people the point of their purchase, it’s interesting.”

The recession could be an influence in the sales increase, as consumers cut back on risky behavior and take precautions to protect their economic security, he said.

“When our economic needs are threatened, we take more precautions,” he said. “Risk taking is not a good idea whether you’re Michael Phelps, the Yankees or Bristol Palin.”

And the fact that more condoms are being sold does not mean more condoms are being used, Stollak said. He referenced a study of exercise equipment that revealed a majority of equipment purchased was not actually in use.

“I’m not interested in the sale of condoms, I’m interested in the use of condoms,” he said.

“Are they being used? Do guys carry them around in desperate hope of using them? Are females demanding their use? That’s the critical question.”