New Condom Study to Stir Controversy?
Reduce Your Risk
The Guttmacher Institute has produced a new study that is sure to raise some eyebrows. The study focuses on whether “pulling out” or withdrawal, is almost as effective as condom use to prevent pregnancy. This is a PDF file of the study. It is fairly detailed and we’d like some time to compare it to other data.
I’ll do a more detailed post in this Sunday’s Sex Toy Review.
But after a cursory read, I do notice that the study does not make claims about protection against STI’s. In fact, it makes one reference which I believe will lead to some controversy. They state:
“Parallel HIV risk reduction approaches have been controversial but successful among some populations of men who have sex with men.”
At first glance, this seems like a tacit endorsement, but in context it is an acknowledgement of other research. My concern is that such a study taken outside of the confines of a strictly monogamous relationship with an STI free partner can lead people to potentially catastrophic (unless you consider genital herpes a mild irritation) conclusions with regard to their sexual health.
We’ll stick to the tried and mostly true method of recommending condom use. Use it, or loose sleep is the best way to frame it. And be certain of this, withdrawal, or “pulling out” has never been endorsed as a protection against STI’s. If you are with a new partner, please use a condom.
Pregnancy isn’t your only risk. Next to HIV, pregnancy is a breeze.
Related posts:
- New Female Condom Approved by the FDA
- New Study Challenges Masturbation Numbers
- Older and wiser? Not Really.
- A Totally Unnecessary Evil
- Researchers Seeking Used Condoms
Tags: News, Research, Sexual Health
