Am J Epidemiol 2003; 157:289-297.
Copyright © 2003 by Johns
Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
ORIGINAL CONTRIBUTIONS |
Efficacy of the Female Condom as a Barrier to Semen During Intercourse
1 Department of Epidemiology and International Health, School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
2 Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
3 Division of Reproductive Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA.
4 Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Alabama at Birmingham, Birmingham, AL.
In 1996–1998, the authors measured prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in vaginal fluid to assess the frequency of female condom failure and to evaluate the association of self-reported failure with semen exposure. Women at low risk of sexually transmitted diseases (n = 210) were recruited in Birmingham, Alabama. They were trained to use the female condom, sample vaginal fluid before and after condom use, and complete forms to report problems during each use. Semen exposure was assessed by comparing pre- and postcoital PSA levels in vaginal fluid. A total of 175 women used 2,232 condoms. The rate of semen exposure ranged from 7% to 21% of condom uses, depending on the exposure criterion. Exposure was more likely (21–34%) and more intense (mean postcoital PSA, 24.7 ng/ml) if participants reported a mechanical problem versus other problems or no problems (exposure rate, 5–20% in both instances; mean postcoital PSA, 9.6 and 7.8 ng/ml, respectively). In logistic regression analyses for repeated measurements, user-reported problems accounted for less than 59% of the instances of semen exposure. The female condom prevented semen exposure in 79–93% of condom uses. Exposure was associated with user-reported problems but also occurred in their absence. Reported problems and semen exposure decreased with user experience.
contraceptive devices, female; follow-up studies; safety; sexually transmitted diseases
Abbreviations: Abbreviations: CFHC, California Family Health Council; PSA, prostate-specific antigen; STD, sexually transmitted disease.
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