Study: Condoms May Provide Protection Against HPV

A study from the University of Washington contradicts the belief that condoms do not provide protection against HPV (Human Papillomavirus). HPV is a common sexually transmitted virus that is responsible for cervical cancer and genital warts. It is so common that 80% of women are infected within 5 years of their first sexual experience.

What makes HPV so unique is that it is spread through sexual skin to skin contact- no intercourse is needed to contract the virus. This was the main reason behind thinking that condoms provide limited protection against HPV.

According to the study, women who had intercourse with partners who always wore condoms and wore comdoms correctly, cut their risk of contracting HPV by 70%. More details about the study can be found in the New England Journal of Medicine abstract of the study.

_{Photo by Bill Davenport}