"Sex, Pregnancy, and Condoms (for Women"

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1992. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

"Sex, Pregnancy, and Condoms (for Women"

Washington Post (Health) (12/22/92), P. 14
Rovner, Sandy

Abstract: The first device that will allow women to protect themselves against sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), including AIDS, is still awaiting marketing approval from the Food and Drug Administration. The female condom, when used correctly, is basically unseen and unfelt for both partners, according to survey results of the women who tested it for the FDA studies. Also, when used properly, the REALITY condom is 95 percent effective in preventing pregnancies. Protection against STDs was not specifically tested in the research. This would indicate that some subjects might be exposing themselves and the requirements for the studies were careful to exclude any people who might be at risk for such diseases. However, the marketers of the female condom, Wisconsin Pharmacal, say that because of its impermeability and its barrier design, correct usage would protect against STDs and AIDS. The condom is significant because women often find it difficult to address condom usage among their sex partners. Women frequently ignore the advice about STDs and AIDS when they fear that such a request will shatter a mood or meet with resistance from their partners, who may object to the feel of the condom or the lack of trust from the women. But the potential efficacy in preventing disease led an advisory panel of the FDA to recommend approval earlier this month, even though the pregnancy failure rate was a little higher than had been expected. The FDA is expected to make its decision soon, and the advisory committee's advice is generally considered pivotal. The non-reusable condom would cost about $2.50, whereas male condoms cost between 50 cents and $1 each.

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