posted
Non barrier methods of contraception can target specific STD's and utilize agents that somehow disrupt the function or reproduction of that particular virus, moneran, or parasite. It is unfeasible, however to develop some sort of chemical contraceptive effective against ALL STD's, nor one that is as effective as a simple barrier method. Beyond that, chemical means of controlling diseases, such as antibiotics, have now been shown to have a limited effective life, after which they serve only to create heartier strains (antibiotic resistence being the prime example). Heralding some chemical as the replacement for condoms could have very dangerous effects, and lead to furthur proliferation of the very diseases that are trying to be prevented.
Anything that seems too good to be true probably is.
Semisane
PS. The safest method of preventing the spread of STD's seems to be fairly simple: selectiveness of partners combined with safe sex practices.
posted
Relax, semisane. Lemming did say 'supplement to condoms' here, and 'potential,' in the spirit of 'here's a piece of interesting info, perhaps other folks might want to know this is out there.' I don't think anyone's advocating (or even claiming) a 'miracle cure' here. We at Scarleteen definitely agree that barriers plus communication and testing are the best weapons against STDs. But there's nothing saying that other valuable methods can't be developed... or aren't being developed... and it's certainly sensible to have some idea of what's going on in terms of research in these areas.
posted
I agree, Hanne. The more choices that people have available to them, the better, right? Further to that, there are lots of situations where women don't necessarily have much of a say in the kind of protection that gets used in sexual situations. I think any protection that a woman might be able to use without their partner (well, partner might be the wrong word in this instance) knowing is a good thing.
Posts: 1515 | From: Montreal, Quebec, Canada | Registered: Jun 2000
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