Rubber Gloves

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Lore & Background

Condoms as a method of preventing STIs have been used since at least 1564. Rubber condoms became available in 1855, followed by latex condoms in the 1920s. It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines. As of 2019, globally around 21% of those using birth control use condoms, making it the second-most common method after female sterilization (24%). Rates of condom use are highest in East and Southeast Asia, Europe and North America. With proper use—and use at every act of intercourse—women whose partners use external condoms experience a 2% per-year pregnancy rate. With typical use, the rate of pregnancy is 18% per-year. Their use greatly decreases the risk of gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis, hepatitis B, and HIV/AIDS. To a lesser extent, they also protect against genital herpes, human papillomavirus (HPV), and syphilis.

In Their Own Story

According to a 2000 report by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), consistent use of latex condoms reduces the risk of HIV transmission by approximately 85% relative to risk when unprotected, putting the seroconversion rate (infection rate) at 0.9 per 100 person-years with condom, down from 6.7 per 100 person-years. Analysis published in 2007 from the University of Texas Medical Branch and the World Health Organization found similar risk reductions of 80–95%. The 2000 NIH review concluded that condom use significantly reduces the risk of gonorrhea for men. A 2006 study reports that proper condom use decreases the risk of transmission of human papillomavirus (HPV) to women by approximately 70%. Another study in the same year found consistent condom use was effective at reducing transmission of herpes simplex virus-2, also known as genital herpes, in both men and women.

Reader's Guide

The effectiveness of condoms can be assessed two ways: perfect use (method effectiveness) rates include only people who use condoms properly and consistently; typical use (actual use) rates include all condom users, including those who use condoms incorrectly or not at every act of intercourse. The typical use pregnancy rate among condom users varies from 10 to 18% per year. The perfect use pregnancy rate is 2% per year. Condoms may be combined with other forms of contraception (such as spermicide) for greater protection. Condoms are widely recommended for the prevention of STIs. They have been shown to be effective in reducing infection rates in both men and women. While not perfect, the condom is effective at reducing the transmission of organisms that cause AIDS, genital herpes, cervical cancer, genital warts, syphilis, chlamydia, gonorrhea, and other diseases. Condoms are often recommended as an adjunct to more effective birth control methods (such as IUD) in situations where STI protection is also desired. The primary effectiveness issue with using condoms to prevent STIs is inconsistent use. Condoms may also be useful in treating potentially precancerous cervical changes. Exposure to human papillomavirus, even in individuals already infected with the virus, appears to increase the risk of precancerous changes. The use of condoms helps promote regression of these changes. In addition, researchers in the UK suggest that a hormone in semen can aggravate existing cervical cancer, condom use during sex can prevent exposure to the hormone.

Did You Know?

• Condoms as a method of preventing STIs have been used since at least 1564.
• Rubber condoms became available in 1855, followed by latex condoms in the 1920s.
• As of 2019, globally around 21% of those using birth control use condoms, making it the second-most common method after female sterilization (24%).
• The One Male Condom received FDA approval for anal sex on 23 February 2022.
• Even if no breakage or slippage is observed, 1–3% of women will test positive for semen residue after intercourse with a condom.