CAN SEX BE SAFE?

by Estelita M. Agramonte Long, Psy.D.

• Two-thirds of all cases of chlamydia and gonorrhea are seen in men and women less than 25 years of age.
• Men and women under 35 account for two-thirds of newly reported HIV infections.
• About 333 million new cases of curable STDs occur each year among young adults around the world.
• One in five people in the U.S. has an STD.
• One in four new STD infections occurs in teenagers.
• One in four people will have an STD at some point during his/her life.

The only 100% effective way to prevent sexually transmitted diseases is abstinence. For some, this is not an option they wish to consider. So what are the other options? We all have heard that condoms can be effective in preventing some STDS, yet it is safer still to add a spermicidal agent. The recent studies show that condoms do effectively prevent the spread of HIV and gonorrhea, but that there is not conclusive evidence that proves that they prevent other STDs, such as chlamydia and syphilis (WebMD, 2001).

It is extremely important that condoms be used correctly. Each package of condoms comes with enclosed instructions, so why don’t people read them? Reading the instructions does not mean you aren’t knowledgeable; it just means that you want to be extra protected! According to the U.S. Preventive Services task Force’s Guide to Clinical Preventive Services, 2^nd Edition, 1996, when condoms are used the right way…

• They slip off of the penis during intercourse or withdrawal less than 1% of the time.
• They break between .6 and 2% of the time during vaginal intercourse and 1-7% during anal intercourse.
• Much of condom breakage or leakage may be due to improper handling or inadequate or improper use of lubricant.
• Use of petroleum- or oil-based lubricants causes degradation of condoms.
• Failure to use the condom prior to any genital contact, not just intercourse, may lead to infection.
• Natural membrane condoms may be less effective than latex condoms, as the pores may allow passage of the virus.
• Condoms MUST be used consistently.

Identifying infected partners is difficult, if not impossible. Some persons may not know they are infected and others may not be completely honest.

• An increasing number of sexual partners increases the chance that the person will be infected, especially when encounters are casual.
• Persons who exchange sex for money or drugs are more likely to be infected.
• IV drug users have higher infection rates.
• Incarcerated persons have higher infection rates.
• Unprotected anal intercourse is an important risk factor for HIV.
• Oral-genital contact can transmit herpes and gonorrhea and it may pose a risk for transmitting HIV.
• Every year approximately 200,000 women suffer sterility caused by pelvic inflammatory disease as a result of chlamydia or gonorrhea.
• Every year more than 300,000 babies are injured or die as a direct result of STDs.

Many people do not have the facts when it comes to STDs. In fact, there are many misconceptions. According to G. Frankenfield, RN of WebMD, common misconceptions that may lead to infection include:

• Nearly one half of a group of individuals diagnosed with an STD believed that douching protected against STDs.
• Almost 40% believed that urinating after intercourse fought off STDs.
• One in five believed that the birth control pill provided protection against STDs.
• 16% believed that washing after intercourse would protect them against STDs.

None of these behaviors is effective against STD infection, and, in fact, douching may actually increase rates of infection, as it causes irritation. Abstinence is the only 100% effective method of STD protection and condom with spermicide use has been shown to decrease rates of infection.