Condoms and Sexually-Transmitted Infections

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Abstract
Polarization of opinion about condoms may finally be starting to abate, as scientific evidence mounts that their use can reduce the risk of most sexually transmitted infections, including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. In the past, proponents of condom use were often pitted against those arguing that the best way to ensure 100 percent protection against sexually transmitted infections was to abstain from sexual intercourse until marriage and then to refrain from extramarital sex. Certainly, the latter approach would offer 100 percent protection if everyone adhered to it. Fortunately, common ground is now being reached, as it becomes clearer that for many people, neither abstinence until marriage and subsequent faithfulness nor consistent condom use alone is a practical preventive solution.1