Title: Barrier methods of contraception.

POPLINE Document Number: 108599

Author(s):

Hicks D

Source citation:

GENITOURINARY MEDICINE, 1995 Jun;71(3):202.

Abstract:

Although a recent Cavalieri d'Oro et al. article correctly concludes that while barrier methods reduce the risk of gonorrhea and HIV, they may be less consistent for other diseases, the review does not include the female condom, the newest method of barrier contraception. Laboratory tests have shown polyurethane, the material of which the new condom is manufactured, to be impermeable to HIV and cytomegalovirus. Similar permeability studies using bacteriophages smaller than hepatitis and HIV show the membrane to be a complete barrier. As such, one may expect polyurethane to be the raw material from which male condoms will be made in the future. One clinical study assessed the prevention of reinfection with Trichomonas vaginalis among 104 women who had sexual intercourse with infected male partners. No woman who used the female condom during every act of sexual intercourse became infected. 14% of nonusers and 14% of inconsistent users were, however, reinfected. A study by Soper et al. found use of the female condom to not be associated with genital trauma. Leeper and Conrardy subjected the female condom and the male condom to the standard ASTM water leak test to find a 0.6% incidence of leakage from pinholes and tears for the female condom compared to 3.5% with the male condom. The risk of semen leakage during actual use as identified by acid phosphatase was 2.7% with the female condom and 8.1% with the male condom. Perfect users of the female condom may expect a 2.6% probability of failure over six months' use. Perfect use, however, reduces the annual risk of acquiring HIV by more than 90% among women who have sexual intercourse twice weekly with an infected male.

Keywords:

Barrier Methods
Contraception
Female Condom
Condom
Contraceptive Effectiveness
Contraceptive Methods
Family Planning
Vaginal Barrier Methods