Condoms Prevent Pelvic Inflammation

Regular condom use can significantly reducea woman's risk of developing pelvicinflammatory disease (PID). The studyinvolved 684 sexually active women with ahistory of PID. The researchers asked the participantsto keep track of their sexual practicesand recurrences of the disease for nearly 3years.

The findings showed that condoms, provenbarriers against viral infections, also help preventthe types of bacterial infection that cancause PID. The researchers discovered thatthe women who reported using condoms leastoften were more apt to have the condition andrelated problems such as chronic pelvic painand infertility. On the other hand, women whoused condoms at least 60% of the time hadconsiderably fewer problems. (The findingswere reported in The American Journal ofPublic Health, August 2004.)