Protecting Your Health (NAPSA)—Many Americans may be surprised to learn the health facts in a recent scientific report. It reveals that condoms, even with consistent and correct use, fail to safely reduce the risk of some of the most common and potentially dangerous sexually transmitted diseases (STDs). “America is facing an epidemic of STDs—more than 15 million new STDinfections per year,” says Joe S. MclIlhaney, Jr., MD, president of The Medical Institute for Sexual Health. “It is imperative that Americans understand what the science says about the limits of condoms in keeping them safe from these STDs, many of which can have life-altering consequences, including infertility and cancer.” This understanding is now available. The Medical Institute has recently released a report, Sex, Condoms, and STDs: What We Now Know, whichreviewsfindings about the ability of condoms to reduce the risk of STDs. The report is authored by someof the nation’s leading experts on sexually transmitted diseases and condom research. Some of the report’s key find- ings are: Even 100 percent condom use does not eliminate the risk of any STD, including HIV. There is no evidence of any risk reduction for sexual transmission of human papillomavirus infection (HPV), which can cause A new report says condoms are not safe enough. cervical cancer, even with 100 percent condom use. Even with 100 percent con- dom use, sexual transmission of chlamydia, syphilis, and gonorrhea is reduced by approximately 50 percent which still leaves considerable risk of infection. HIV sexual transmission is reduced by approximately 85 percent with 100 percent condom use still leaving somerisk of infection with a fatal disease. With increasing numbers of sexual partners and sex acts comes an increasing risk of STD infection, even with 100 percent con- dom use. 100 percent use of condoms for many years is so uncommon that it is almost a purely theoretical concept. To order a copy of Sex, Condoms, and STDs: What We Now Know, go to www.medinstitute.org.
