**SAFE (or safER) SEX??**

The safe sex message states, “Condoms are 98% effective in protecting against STDs and pregnancy when used consistently and correctly.” Unfortunately, not many people do anything “consistently and correctly”. Lets see if the “safe sex” message is true.

• Consistent condom use is defined as 100% condom use during all sex acts indefinitely.
• “Protection” is the term often applied to condom use. This can be misleading because condoms only reduce the risk of infection or pregnancy. They do not “protect” 100% of the time from any STD.
• Condoms can break and slip off. Research shows that condoms fail an average of 16% of the time in preventing pregnancy.
• 100% use of condoms for many years is so uncommon that it is almost a purely theoretical concept except for very few, very meticulous individuals. Even among adults who know that their partner had HIV, only 56% used condoms every time.
• Condoms do not prevent the transmission of STDs from lesions outside the areas covered by, or “protected” by, condoms.
• Even with 100% condom use, there is no (0%) risk reduction for transmission of HPV (genital warts) or Trichomonas vaginalis.
• Syphilis, Gonorrhea, and Chlamydia transmission MAY BE reduced by up to 50% only if condoms are used 100% of the time.
• The only true protection from pregnancy and STDs is being abstinent from ALL sexual activity until you are married and remaining faithful to your spouse for a lifetime.

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