The word "safe" means free from harm, danger or risk. Safe sex is definedas using a male latex condom during sex play where there is exposure togenitals and sexual fluids. Health officials, sex educators etc. tellus 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 oncondoms and their effectiveness in preventing STD's (sexuallytransmitted disease), condoms have been found to be anything but "safe"sex.

The Condom Effectiveness Conference (June, 2000) which was led by theNational Institutes of Health (NIH) , reviewed published scientificevidence on condom effectiveness as of June 2000. Based on theconference's findings, here's how condoms stack up against some commonSTD'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
• Genitalherpes - Condoms reduce the risk of transmission by 40% if they areused at least 65% of the time. One study showed condoms reducedtransmission 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 STDtransmission but the NIH study reveals that condoms only offer riskreduction. Read the back of any box of condoms and see that even condommanufacturers say that when condoms are used properly, they MAY helpreduce the risk of catching or spreading many STD's. Realize also, thatcorrect use of condoms means using a condom with EVERY act of sex (noforgetting) and that the 5-7 steps for putting on and removing a condomMUST be followed (you can't make mistakes or you lose the benefit ofthe condom). And even if you use them correctly, condoms only REDUCEthe risk of STD's, so you're still at risk.

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

Sources :

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