Contraceptive sponge and diaphragm more effective than condom for preventing STDs. (sexually transmitted diseases in women: gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia) (North Carolina)

North Carolina

The contraceptive sponge and the diaphragm provide significantly more protection for women against gonorrhea and trichomoniasis than does the condom, according to a study published in the May 1992 issue of the American Journal of Public Health.

A decreased incidence of chlamydia among those using the female-controlled methods also was found, although the reduction was not significant due to the small number of women in this study who were diagnosed with this infection. Gonorrhea, trichomoniasis and chlamydia account for 75 percent of the 12 million new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) in the U.S. each year.

"Women …