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Do Contraceptives Protect against Sexually Transmitted Infections?
 
Condom
Diaphragm
Spermicide
Hormonal
IUD

Viral
- HIV/AIDS
- Herpes Simplex (HSV)
- Human Papilloma (HPV)

 Protective against HIV; protection unproven against skin-to-skin infections (HSV, HPV) Little known about protection Not protective Not protective Not protective

Bacterial
- Chancroid
- Chlamydia
- Gonorrhea
- Syphilis

 Protective against gonorrhea; presumed protective for others Some protection against cervical gonorrhea and chlamydia; associated with vaginal anaerobic overgrowth Possibly protective against cervical gonorrhea and chlamydia Associated with increased cervical chlamydia; protective against symptomatic PID, but higher risks of unrecognized endometritis Associated with PID in first month after insertion

Source: Cates W Jr. Contraceptive choices and sexually transmitted infections among women. In Ness RB, Kuller LH, eds. Health and Disease among Women: Biological and Environmental Influences. (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999)401-19.

 

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