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Originally Posted by Chucat  |
I don't think it is so much that we don't trust what the CDC says, I think it is more the fact that a lot of folks realize that the CDC always makes the currently politically correct recommendations, whether they are based on legitimate research or not, usually not.
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Originally Posted by Chucat latex condoms are effective at curbing sexually transmitted diseases (including HIV)...however nothing, short of complete abstinance from sexual intercourse, is 100% effective against STD transmission |
Effectiveness varies though, depending on what you are trying to prevent. For the types of std's we are likely to encounter in swinging, especially if you limit it to the incurable ones, condoms effectiveness at preventing their transmission is so low as to be immeasurable according to the majority of legitimate studies.
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Originally Posted by Chucat Perhaps, maybe to go one step further: Condom - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This is an article assembled by our peers, that would in similar fashion represent what the CDC has to offer. This little bit of research took all of 5 minutes to find and "might not" replace all of the years of knowledge and experience that some of our peers in the swing lifestyle have to offer, but at least it's better than going along in blind denial. |
Is it really better? When you read this article, did you follow up by reading the studies referenced? If you had you would find that it is an article following politically correct lines, influenced heavily by people and organizations with an agenda.
For example, to support the claim that condoms help prevent the transmission of HPV in women, they referenced a study that consisted of following 82 female college students for eight months. Not a rigorous study by most experts opinions. In the referenced studies defense, in their report the researchers did reference six of the many studies that have proven conclusively that condoms were totally ineffective at preventing the transmission of HPV. Funny that all of these condom advocates will single out as a reference the only study to show condoms as effective at preventing the spread of HPV. Same story with herpes, the vast majority of legitimate studies have shown that condoms are ineffective or useless at preventing the spread of the virus.
This is important because HPV and HSV are by far the most likely std's a swinger might encounter, closely followed by some of the easily cured genital infections. funny thing about those infections, some of them are actually aggravated by condom use.
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Originally Posted by Chucat I also think that even presented with "the facts" some folks are still going to ride 'em bareback. A personal choice that will withstand any discussion on this topic. |
I agree, but as I think I have at least tried to show, "the facts" aren't always as factual as you would think.
As I have said many times before here, the fact that so many folks who insist on condoms are doing so in the mistaken belief that they are protecting themselves far more than they actually are, scares me much more than folks who choose not to use them for any reason. At least most folks who choose not to use condoms realize they are taking a risk, unlike those who I have met that think that as soon as they slap that condom on they are protected. The "fact" is, legitimate research just does not support that assumption or belief.
The bottom line is, if you feel that a 1-5% reduction in risk (the maximum percentage usually given by the few legitimate researchers willing to make an estimate) makes condoms worthwhile, then by all means use them. On the other hand, if you are expecting much more effectiveness out of using condoms than that, you are taking risks based on a false sense of security.