I do now realize that I probably came-off as a know it all in my previous posts on this thread. I am not...not even close. As a disclaimer...I did no more than scan the references in my last post for a means to positively support my argument that condom use is effective against STD transmission. I did not research the authors, their associations, nor the materials they used to come to their conclusion. With that being said here's a few more:
Basic Facts About Condoms and Their Use in Preventing HIV Infection and Other STDs - The Body Condom Effectiveness Studies Are condoms the answer to rising rates of non-HIV sexually transmitted infections? Yes -- Steiner and Cates 336 (7637): 184 -- BMJ Condom Brochure, FDA OSHI HIV STDs Effectiveness of the male latex condom: combined results for three popular condom brands used as controls in randomized clinical trials. Study Looks at Condoms, Wart Virus Transmission - The Body PRO Male condoms NEJM -- Condom Use and the Risk of Genital Human Papillomavirus Infection in Young Women
I really have spent more time on this fact finding mission than I had intended. I know some folks have made much more an effort to find facts to support their own arguments. I never meant to make light of that effort or the research nor would I ever question the expertise that was a direct result of that research. I do however find it difficult to believe that the millions of people worldwide who depend on condoms for many reasons, would have their health and safety compromised for the sake of a "political agenda" and I still think people are going to do whatever they want to do regardless of what data they have available to them or where it did or did not come from.
For the record...we voted 40+ condoms always. As a couple we prefer to use condoms for intercourse. We would rather not and there have been a couple of occassions where we felt comfortable enough with our partners that we went without, but for us that will be a rarity. We feel that in showing our partners that we care for them as well as caring for ourselves, we're also saying something better than "Aw, What the hell...you're gonna die anyway"!