"Counting on condoms is flirting with death."

Dr. Helen Singer Kaplan, founder of the Human Sexuality Program at the New York Weill Cornell Medical Center, Cornell University. (Footnote: Helen Singer‑Kaplan. The Real Truth about Women and AIDS. Simon & Schuster, 1987.)

Related Links

Marguerite Bourgeoys Family Centre
Naprotechnology & Fertility Care Programme, Canada
www.fertilitycare.ca

The CREIGHTON MODEL FertilityCare™ System
www.creightonmodel.com

NaProTECHNOLOGY
A Major Breakthrough In Woman's Gynecological Health Care
www.naprotechnology.com

The Billings Ovulation Method
www.billings-centre.ab.ca

Serena BC
www.vcn.bc.ca/sereabc/index.html

The Medical Institute for Sexual Health
www.medinstitute.org

Institute of Marriage & the Family
www.imfcanada.org

The Vanier Institute of the Family
www.vifamily.ca

How effective are condoms at preventing sexually transmitted diseases?

According to Health Canada, condoms have a failure rate for PREGNANCY of 3% to over 10%. A couple can get pregnant only when the woman is fertile which is approximately 24 hours each month. Sexually transmitted diseases can be contracted at ANY time.

"Used perfectly, the chance of getting pregnant during the first year of use is 3%. However, for this contraceptive method to work this well, the condom must be used every time and used correctly. Failure rates can be over 10% because the condom wasn't stored or used properly."(52)

Many sexually transmitted diseases are transmitted not through bodily fluids, but through skin to skin contact in what is commonly called the "boxer shorts" area for both men and women. Research shows that condoms reduce the risk for some, not all, STI’s. They do not eliminate the risk.

In June 2000, the Centers for Disease Control convened a symposium on sexual health and condom use. Experts were invited from every field, and 138 of the best, most reliable studies were used to draw conclusions. Here is what they found:

• There is no clinical proof that condoms are effective in reducing the risk of infection for Chlamydia, genital herpes, HPV, syphilis, chancroid, trichomoniasis and many other STD’s.
  
  
• Some protection was found for men against gonorrhea, but not for women.
  
  
• Condoms were found to reduce the risk of HIV/AIDS transmission during vaginal sex by 85% when used consistently without exception (this is not common).
  
  
• Condoms do not provide complete protection from any STD or pregnancy. STD infection can occur in both males and females whether or not a condom is used.

Research shows that condoms do not eliminate the risk. "Condoms do not make sex safe enough for individuals who truly wish to avoid getting STD’s and suffering the possible long term effects."(53)

Even Health Canada states openly that "Only abstinence or a truly monogamous relationship between two uninfected partners can ensure the avoidance of sexually transmitted infections." (54)

"Condoms failed to prevent HIV transmission in three of 18 couples, suggesting that the rate of condom failure with HIV may be as high as 17%."*

"The condom was useless as a prophylactic against gonorrhea and even under ideal conditions against syphilis."** New England Journal of Medicine.47,48