P.S.A. - sexual health alert.

[MaineDolFan]

I was speaking to a friend that is an R2 here in Portland and they asked if I caught the CDC's announcments regarding condom use and effectiveness.  I hadn't, so he clued me in.

It seems as though I am the lone medical person on the board (unless there is a lurking doctor that I'm not aware of).  This is something of note that caught my eye.  So I am going to pass this important information along to friends. 

For years the mantra has been "use protection and you'll be okay" when it comes to sexual activity.  That might not be the case.

The CDC has come forward and stated that their previous stance on condoms and STD prevention might be incorrect.  Their stance on the big dog, HIV / AIDS remains the same:

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
(CDC, 2/06)

However - let's talk about "Discharge Diseases."  In other words; Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and (on lower levels) Trichomoniasis. 

The official CDC stance, 2/06:

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of transmission of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

The official CDC stance in 2005:

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly,  are highly effective in preventing the risk of transmission of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.

Changing their stance from "are highly effective" to "can reduce" is a huge policy shift.  The CDC goes on to state:

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that latex condoms provide an essentially impermeable barrier to particles the size of STD pathogens.  The physical properties of latex condoms protect against discharge diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, by providing a barrier to the genital secretions that transmit STD-causing organisms.

The CDC states two things:

(1)  Epidemiologic studies that compare infection rates among condom users and nonusers provide evidence that latex condoms can protect against the transmission of chlamydia, gonorrhea and trichomoniasis.

However, here is the CDC's big red flag:

However, some other epidemiologic studies show little or no protection against these infections.

The second statment is:

Many of the available epidemiologic studies were not designed or conducted in ways that allow for accurate measurement of condom effectiveness against the discharge diseases. More research is needed to assess the degree of protection latex condoms provide for discharge diseases, other than HIV.

CDC, 2/06.

Other diseases, such as Genital ulcer diseases (including genital herpes, syphilis, and chancroid):

These diseases are transmitted primarily through “skin-to-skin” contact from sores/ulcers or infected skin that looks normal.  The CDC's stance remains the same on syphilis, herpes, etc:  condoms MIGHT protect you - but these are skin to skin dangers.

I hate to sound like a public service announcement, but this is fairly signifigant in my eyes.  Rarely will the CDC come forward and state that what they've been pushing for decades could be wrong.  Condoms, I'm sure ARE effective in preventing Discharge Diseases.  They very well may not be the sure bet you were told that they are.

If you are single - and dating - please be diligent.  The only true way to stay "clean" is to find a person you like and get tested together prior to starting physical activity.  Diligence is key, don't let a lapse in judgement affect your life down the road.

[YoFuggedaboutit]

Luckly the married ones on this board (or people in long term relationships), don't have anything to worry about. 

[MaineDolFan]

Not to toss a moral decision at anyone, but in regards to maintaining a healthy body and avoidance of STD's in general, monogamous relationships are the way to go.  Like anything - open and honest communication!

My friend that is an R2 was flipping out over the information.  He's single and resident doctors...well, they are crazy. 

[Sunstroke]

Not to toss a moral decision at anyone, but in regards to maintaining a healthy body and avoidance of STD's in general, monogamous relationships are the way to go.

No one but me uses my blow up Catherine Bell doll, so I think I am safe from STDs. 

[GUATARICCAN]

Condoms are for sailors baby, yeah!!!

[MaineDolFan]

Seriously guys and girls...think about how scary that is.  For years you've been told to "wrap it and you're fine."  And now the CDC is saying "whoa, wait a second...we might have jumped the gun on that."

Please be careful out there!

(thank God I'm married and don't need to deal with this stuff...)

[Househead]

Condoms suck.  Get your girl on the pill.

[bsmooth]

I was always told they had an 85% success rate.

[TonyB0D]

^^^ i think thats the pregnancy stat.

being responsible & getting tested is all well and good, but for those 1-nighters you just gotta wrap, pull & pray!!

[Sunstroke]

I think that 85% effectiveness rate for preventing pregnancies is a little overblown as well.

I have been in the majorly stressful situation 5 times in my life where a woman (girlfriend/friend/acquaintence/random ho) told me that she was pregnant. Four of those times, I had used a condom. One of those times, I had used a condom AND the woman was on birth control pills. Either I have extremely resourceful sperm cells (I picture one of my tadpoles toting a blow torch and telling the little wiggler army behind him "it isn't her mouth this time...advance and conquer!"), or condoms are ridiculously overrated.

[Brian Fein]

I have been in the majorly stressful situation 5 times in my life where a woman (girlfriend/friend/acquaintence/random ho) told me that she was pregnant. Four of those times, I had used a condom. One of those times, I had used a condom AND the woman was on birth control pills. Either I have extremely resourceful sperm cells (I picture one of my tadpoles toting a blow torch and telling the little wiggler army behind him "it isn't her mouth this time...advance and conquer!"), or condoms are ridiculously overrated.

Wow, that is scary...

Maybe you should stop using the condoms you keep in your wallet for 18 months.

[Jim Gray]

I think that 85% effectiveness rate for preventing pregnancies is a little overblown as well.

I have been in the majorly stressful situation 5 times in my life where a woman (girlfriend/friend/acquaintence/random ho) told me that she was pregnant. Four of those times, I had used a condom. One of those times, I had used a condom AND the woman was on birth control pills. Either I have extremely resourceful sperm cells (I picture one of my tadpoles toting a blow torch and telling the little wiggler army behind him "it isn't her mouth this time...advance and conquer!"), or condoms are ridiculously overrated.

So how does the story end?  5 little strokes, 5 false alarms, 5 negative paternity tests?

[Brian Fein]

So how does the story end? 5 little strokes, 5 false alarms, 5 negative paternity tests?

...or 5 lying chicks...?

[Sunstroke]

Trust me, Brian...back then, condoms never stay in the wallet anywhere near that long.

As far as how the story ended...I think one of the girls may have been lying to me, though I was never able to prove it. I paid for that procedure anyway...it was the first of the five (I was 17), and it terrified me. Three of the other four had abortions, two of which I took to the clinic and was there throughout (except during the procedure of course...yuck). The last one...she was in Germany, and she disappeared as soon as I told her that I would be glad to support the child if she had it, but had no real interest in marriage. For all I know, she went to Austria, had the kid and is living a happy life raising 'Stroke junior.

[crazy_scar_man]

now that the wife is pregnant, I don't get any lovin anymore.

so this thread couldn't be farther away from applying to me.