Condoms vs. STDs brings debate
The Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. - Condoms do a great job of stopping the spread of AIDS and a pretty good job of preventing pregnancy. But the evidence they protect against other sexually transmitted diseases is surprisingly spotty.
Republican Sen. Tom Coburn and groups promoting abstinence are pushing to make condom labels "medically accurate," even blocking appointment of a new federal drug agency chief until the labels are changed. "Safe sex" advocates fear that could undermine public confidence, decreasing their use.
"They do not provide 100 percent protection, but for people who are sexually active they are the best and the only method we have for preventing these diseases," said Heather Boonstra, a public policy official with the Alan Guttmacher Institute.
Already, there are signs use of condoms and other contraceptives is declining, Boonstra said yesterday.
John Hart, spokesman for Coburn, said the senator's hold on the Food and Drug Administration chief is an effort to make the agency obey a 2000 law that requires the FDA to change condom labels to give more information on "effectiveness or lack of the effectiveness in preventing STDs."
Hart said FDA officials say they will have a draft of the language soon.
Condom effectiveness
Genital herpes: Women, 30 percent to 92 percent. Men, less effective (no number given).
Gonorrhea: Women, 39 to 62 percent. Men, 49 to 75 percent.
Chlamydia: Women, 26 to 90 percent. Men, 33 percent.
Pelvic inflammatory disease: Both sexes, 55 percent.
Trichomoniasis: Women, 30 percent. Men, highly effective (no number given).
Syphilis: Both sexes, 40 to 60 percent.
Genital ulcers: Both sexes, 18 to 23 percent.
Human papilloma virus: Condoms do not prevent HPV, but may reduce the risk of genital warts caused by HPV by 30 percent in women and 40 percent in men.
Source: 2004 bulletin from the World Health Organization and a 2001 report by the National Institutes of Health
TRENTON, N.J. - Condoms do a great job of stopping the spread of AIDS and a pretty good job of preventing pregnancy. But the evidence they protect against other sexually transmitted diseases is surprisingly spotty.
Republican Sen. Tom Coburn and groups promoting abstinence are pushing to make condom labels "medically accurate," even blocking appointment of a new federal drug agency chief until the labels are changed. "Safe sex" advocates fear that could undermine public confidence, decreasing their use.
"They do not provide 100 percent protection, but for people who are sexually active they are the best and the only method we have for preventing these diseases," said Heather Boonstra, a public policy official with the Alan Guttmacher Institute.
Already, there are signs use of condoms and other contraceptives is declining, Boonstra said yesterday.
John Hart, spokesman for Coburn, said the senator's hold on the Food and Drug Administration chief is an effort to make the agency obey a 2000 law that requires the FDA to change condom labels to give more information on "effectiveness or lack of the effectiveness in preventing STDs."
Hart said FDA officials say they will have a draft of the language soon.
Condom effectiveness
Genital herpes: Women, 30 percent to 92 percent. Men, less effective (no number given).
Gonorrhea: Women, 39 to 62 percent. Men, 49 to 75 percent.
Chlamydia: Women, 26 to 90 percent. Men, 33 percent.
Pelvic inflammatory disease: Both sexes, 55 percent.
Trichomoniasis: Women, 30 percent. Men, highly effective (no number given).
Syphilis: Both sexes, 40 to 60 percent.
Genital ulcers: Both sexes, 18 to 23 percent.
Human papilloma virus: Condoms do not prevent HPV, but may reduce the risk of genital warts caused by HPV by 30 percent in women and 40 percent in men.
Source: 2004 bulletin from the World Health Organization and a 2001 report by the National Institutes of Health
posted by Condom Depot at
8:59 AM
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