arrier methods help reduce the risk of both pregnancy and HIV infection?
If used consistently and correctly, male latex condoms provide protection against HIV, gonorrhea, and unintended pregnancy. Depending on the meta-analysis or model used to study condom effectiveness, consistent use reduces HIV incidence by at least 80 percent and perhaps as much as 97 percent. For protection against unintended pregnancy, male latex condoms are 86 percent to 97 percent effective, depending on whether use is typical or ideal, respectively. Scientific evidence to support these conclusions is not complete, but it is strong and consistent enough to produce the solid public health recommendation that condoms work. Most HIV and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs) or unplanned pregnancies likely occur because of condom non-use or inconsistent use, so the challenge is to increase the consistency of male condom use during risky sexual contacts. As is true of the male latex condom, the female condom has been found to be impermeable to various STIs, including HIV, in the
