The numbers are appalling: An estimated 65 million Americans have a sexually transmitted disease, and about 15 million new infections arise each year. Suspicious that these figures indicate that condoms do not perform as advertised, family practitioner and then Rep. Thomas Coburn, R-Okla., called in June 2000 for a government analysis of their effectiveness in preventing disease transmission.
In response, 28 scientists pored over 138 peer-reviewed studies before issuing their report to the NIH. In the results of their work, released in late July, the scientists said they found little to no evidence that condoms are effective at preventing many STDs.
For example, while consistent and correct use of condoms was about 85% effective at preventing transmission of HIV, that translates into a failure rate of 15% for transmitting AIDS. (The rate can be much higher when condoms are not always used, or are used improperly.)
Moreover, HIV is actually harder to get than many sexually transmitted diseases, and it’s not the only killer in the bunch. Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the cause of more than 90% of all cases of cervical cancer, which kills more American women each year than AIDS. The NIH analysis found no evidence that condoms prevent any HPV transmissions.
Condoms were between 49% and 100% effective in preventing the spread of gonorrhea in men, but no effect was found for women. And an array of other serious diseases — chlamydia, chancroid, trichomoniasis, syphilis and genital herpes — showed no reduction with condom use. These diseases also increase the risk of contracting HIV.
http://www.ncregister.com/Register_News/Tusnet-NIH.htmCondoms were between 49% and 100% effective in preventing the spread of gonorrhea in men, but no effect was found for women. And an array of other serious diseases — chlamydia, chancroid, trichomoniasis, syphilis and genital herpes — showed no reduction with condom use. These diseases also increase the risk of contracting HIV. That's correct. It's also worth pointing out condoms aren't intended to prevent those diseases, but instead diseases such as the aforementioned gonorrhea. The prevention of many other diseases, such as syphilis or herpes, is of uncertain benefit. There have been studies that have found a reduction in risk, while others have not found significant benefit. So, it's dishonest spinning to state that there's absolutely no benefit to be had.
Human papillomavirus, or HPV, is the cause of more than 90% of all cases of cervical cancer, which kills more American women each year than AIDS.
Perspective: According to the American Cancer Society, about 4000 women died last year from cervical cancer (which, I might add, could be cut about in half by every woman getting a Pap smear regularly). AIDS deaths last year among US women were 3800 (CDC). Not a big difference, statistically.
Incidentally, about 90% of HPV infections clear themselves on their own. Some of the articles I've seen suggest that hands may be one of the major transmission vectors. So, wear a surgical glove, I guess.
Snidely