Efficacy of female condom for prevention of sexually transmitted diseases

  Objective   To evaluate the efficacy of female condom for preventing sexually transmitted diseases.

  Methods   40 healthy married women were recruited as volunteers to participate the study, 5 female condoms were used for each woman, pre-and post-coital vaginal swabs, a completed form describing problems that occurred during condom use were collected.Prostate-specific antigen(PSA)in the luents of the vaginal swab was tested with the chemiluminescent immuno assay.

  Results   At least one mechanical problem was experienced in 18.27% of used condom.The post-coital PSA mean level with the self-reported problem was(33.35±35.6)ng/ml, and it was(14.97±16.96)ng/ml without self-reported problem.there was a significant statistical difference(t=8.942, P < 0.001);and also a significant correlation between mechanical problem and PSA level(r=0.77, P < 0.001).

  Conclusion   Although female condom could prevent the infection of STD and HIV, the radical method of preventing STD and HIV was to avoid having sex with the person other than spouse.