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The Myth of Safe Sex

The word "safe" means free from harm, danger or risk. Safe sex is defined as using a male latex condom during sex play where there is exposure to genitals and sexual fluids. Health officials, sex educators etc. tell us we can have sex with anyone and as long as we wear a latex condom, no harm or danger will come to us. According to the latest research on condoms and their effectiveness in preventing STD's (sexually transmitted disease), condoms have been found to be anything but "safe" sex.

The Condom Effectiveness Conference (June, 2000) which was led by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) , reviewed published scientific evidence on condom effectiveness as of June 2000. Based on the conference's findings, here's how condoms stack up against some common STD's:

  • Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) "genital warts" - Condoms offer little to no protection even if used 100% of the time.
  • Trichomonas - No protection even if condoms are used 100% of the time.
  • Syphilis - Condoms reduce the risk of transmission by 29 - 50% if they are used 100% of the time
  • Gonorrhea - Condoms reduce the risk of transmission by 50% if they are used 100% of the time
  • Chlamydia - Condoms reduce the risk of transmission by 50% if they are used 100% of the time
  • Genital herpes - Condoms reduce the risk of transmission by 40% if they are used at least 65% of the time. One study showed condoms reduced transmission risk for women by 25% but men were still at risk.
  • HIV/AIDS - Condoms reduce the risk of transmission by 85-87% if they are used 100% of the time

If safe sex were truly "safe," condoms would eliminate the risk of STD transmission but the NIH study reveals that condoms only offer risk reduction. Read the back of any box of condoms and see that even condom manufacturers say that when condoms are used properly, they MAY help reduce the risk of catching or spreading many STD's. Realize also, that correct use of condoms means using a condom with EVERY act of sex (no forgetting) and that the 5-7 steps for putting on and removing a condom MUST be followed (you can't make mistakes or you lose the benefit of the condom). And even if you use them correctly, condoms only REDUCE the risk of STD's, so you're still at risk.

Two things that condoms CAN'T protect are the heart and mind. Condoms can't prevent the emotional, physical, mental and spiritual bonds that form when two people have sex and condoms can't reduce the risk and pain of heartbreak when relationships end. Condoms don't protect against unwanted memories and connections to past sexual partners long after those bonds are broken.

Sources :

NIH Report on the Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for Sexually Transmitted Disease (STD) Prevention. www.medinstitute.org/media/NIH Answers.htm

Workshop Summary: Scientific Evidence on Condom Effectiveness for STD Prevention." www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/stds/condomreport.pdf

See also: Sex, Condoms and STDs: What We Now Know. "Safer sex" isn't nearly safe enough, The Medical Institute for Sexual Health, 2002.