Excerpts from "Life, Love & Latex" by Joe Carrithers, July 16, 1993 Frontiers. "...Bruce Voeller, president of the non-profit Mariposa Foundation in Topanga, has studied condom effectiveness for years, and released a widely publicized report measuring viral leakage from 31 condom brands (see below). The top eight-ranked brands showed no HIV leakage, while among the lowest-ranked brands, one condom in 10 leaked HIV. Over half of the lowest-ranked brand leaked HIV." This month, Mariposa released the results of a more extensive study of six brands, performed in association with Nelson Laboratories in Salt Lake City and funded by AmFAR and the National Institutes of Health, which again showed condom effectiveness varying greatly by brand. Of 110 Ramses Non-Lube condoms tested, only one appeared to exhibit any leakage, while 21 out of 92 Trojan Naturalube Ribbed condoms leaked HIV-- a failure rate of 22.8 percent. The four other failure rates were 6.3 percent. The four other failure rates were 6.3 percent (Lifestyles Conture, originally ranked #27); 9 percent (Trojan Ribbed, #30); 10.3 percent (Tahiti, #26); and 100 percent (Contracept Plus, #31; it is no longer on the market)... The following is the original Mariposa Foundation study on condom safety and HIV done in conjuction with UCLA and USC. The score is based on a 100-point weighted test scale. Rank Score Brand Manufacturer 1 * 2 91.3 Ramses Non-Lube Schmid 3 91.3 Ramses Sensitol Schmid 4 85.2 Gold Circle Coin Circle 5 83.7 Gold Circle Circle 6 83.7 Sheik Elite Schmid 7 81.7 Durex Nuform Schmid (London) 8 80.2 Pleaser Circle 9 78.7 Ramses Extra Schmid 10 77.3 Embrace Her Circle 11 77.2 Hot Rubber (Switzerland) 12 76.6 Lifestyles Stimula Ansell 13 75.3 Ramses NuForm Schmid 14 74.8 Excita Extra Schmid 15 74.5 Parrish Circle 16 71.9 Yamabuki #1 Fuju 17 71.4 Trojan-Enz Carter Wallace 18 71.1 Trojan-Enz Lubricated Carter Wallace 19 70.4 Duo Schmid (London) 20 69.9 Shields Ortho Pharmaceuticals 21 69.9 Trojan Plus Carter Wallace 22 68.4 Zero 0-2000 Fuju 23 68.1 Prime Ansell 24 66.8 Lifestyles Nuda Plus Ansell 25 64.1 Arouse National Sanitary 26 62.7 Tahiti Ansell 27 60.9 Lifestyles Contour Ansell 28 60.6 Lifestyle Nuda Ansell 29 57.7 Trojan Ribbed Natural Carter Wallace 30 50.9 Trojan Ribbed Carter Wallace 31 21.3 Contracept Plus National Sanitary * The #1 condom, with a score of 98.9, was the Mentor brand manufacted by Circle. It is no longer sold. Subsequent to this study, Mentor was bought out by Carter Wallace, which, according to Consumer Reports, has substituted its own, lower-ranked condoms under the Mentor name." Subject: condoms-CONSUMER.REPORTS-3.89 [ 4Dec92, 2kb] RATINGS: Latex Condoms Taken from Consumer Reports magazine March 1989 Grouped by projected failure rate in airburst testing, adjusted statistically for number of samples tested; within groups, listed in order of decreasing volume and pressure withstood in test. Differences between closely ranked models are not significant. (Lub. = Lubricated) *****The following models had a projected maximum failure rate of 1.5 percent.***** Gold Circle Coin Lifestyles Extra Strength Lub. Sax Wet Lub. Ramses Non-Lub. Reservoir End Sheik Non-Lub. Reservoir End Excita Extra Kimono Sheik Elite Koromex with Nonoxynol-9 Excita Fiesta Embrace Ultra-Thin LifeStyles Stimula Vibra-Ribbed Ramses Extra With Spermicidal Lub. Lady Trojan Trojan Plus 2 Protex Secure Protex Touch Protex Arouse Trojan-Enz Lady Protex with Spermicidal Lub. Sheik Fetherlite Snug-Fit Trojan Naturalube Ribbed Protex Contracept Plus with Spermicidal Lub. Lady-Protex Ultra-Thin Trojan-Enz Lub. Trojan Ribbed Today with Spermicidal Lub. LifeStyles Conture Trojans Trojans Plus Yamabuki No. 2 Lub. Wrinkle Zero-0 2000 *****The following models had a projected maximum failure rate of 4 percent.***** Sheik Non-Lub. Plain End Ramses Sensitol Lub. Pleaser Ribbed Lub. Ramses NuFORM Mentor LifeStyles Nuda *****The following models had a projected maximum failure rate of more than 10 percent.***** LifeStyles Extra Strength with Nonoxynol-9 LifeStyles Nuda Plus Subject: condom.fact.sheet-CDC-7.30.93 [29Dec93, 8kb] .................................................................. CENTERS FOR DISEASE CONTROL AND PREVENTION HIV/AIDS PREVENTION .................................................................. Facts about ... Condoms and Their Use in Preventing HIV Infection and Other STDs With more than 1 million Americans infected with HIV, most of them through sexual transmission, and an estimated 12 million other sexually transmitted diseases occurring each year in the United States, effective strategies for preventing these diseases are critical. The proper and consistent use of latex condoms when engaging in sexual intercourse--vaginal, anal, or oral--can greatly reduce a person's risk of acquiring or transmitting STDs, including HIV infection. In fact, recent studies provide compelling evidence that latex condoms are highly effective in protecting against HIV infection when used properly for every act of intercourse. Latex condoms are highly effective when used consistently * * * and correctly-- new studies * * * provide additional evidence that condoms work The protection that proper use of latex condoms provides against HIV transmission is most evident from studies of couples in which one member is infected with HIV and the other is not, i.e., "discordant couples." In a study of discordant couples in Europe, among 123 couples who reported consistent condom use, none of the uninfected partners became infected. In contrast, among the 122 couples who used condoms inconsistently, 12 of the uninfected partners became infected. As these studies indicate, condoms must be used consistently and correctly to provide maximum protection. Consistent use means using a condom from start to finish with each act of intercourse. Correct condom use should include the following steps: * Use a new condom for each act of intercourse. * Put on the condom as soon as erection occurs and before any sexual contact (vaginal, anal, or oral). * Hold the tip of the condom and unroll it onto the erect penis, leaving space at the tip of the condom, yet ensuring that no air is trapped in the condom's tip. * Adequate lubrication is important, but use only water-based lubricants, such as glycerine or lubricating jellies (which can be purchased at any pharmacy). Oil-based lubricants, such as petroleum jelly, cold cream, hand lotion, or baby oil, can weaken the condom. * Withdraw from the partner immediately after ejaculation, holding the condom firmly to keep it from slipping off. MYTHS ABOUT CONDOMS There continues to be misinformation and misunderstanding about condom effectiveness. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) provides the following updated information to address some common myths about condoms. This information is based on findings from recent epidemiologic, laboratory, and clinical studies. Myth #1: Condoms don't work Some persons have expressed concern about studies that report failure rates among couples using condoms for pregnancy prevention. Analysis of these studies indicates that the large range of efficacy rates is related to incorrect or inconsistent use. The fact is: latex condoms are highly effective for pregnancy prevention, but only when they are used properly. Research indicates that only 30 to 60 percent of men who claim to use condoms for contraception actually use them for every act of intercourse. Further, even people who use condoms every time may not use them correctly. Incorrect use contributes to the possibility that the condom could leak from the base or break. Myth #2: HIV can pass through condoms A commonly held misperception is that latex condoms contain "holes" that allow passage of HIV. Although this may be true for natural membrane condoms, laboratory studies show that intact latex condoms provide a continuous barrier to microorganisms, including HIV, as well as sperm. Myth #3: Condoms frequently break Another area of concern expressed by some is about the quality of latex condoms. Condoms are classified as medical devices and are regulated by the FDA. Every latex condom manufactured in the United States is tested for defects before it is packaged. During the manufacturing process, condoms are double-dipped in latex and undergo stringent quality control procedures. Several studies clearly show that condom breakage rates in this country are less than 2 percent. Most of the breakage is due to incorrect usage rather than poor condom quality. Using oil-based lubricants can weaken latex, causing the condom to break. In addition, condoms can be weakened by exposure to heat or sunlight or by age, or they can be torn by teeth or fingernails. PREVENTING HIV INFECTION AND OTHER STDS Recommended Prevention Strategies Abstaining from sexual activity is the most effective HIV prevention strategy. However, for individuals who choose to be sexually active, the following are highly effective: * Engaging in sexual activities that do not involve vaginal, anal, or oral intercourse * Having intercourse only with one uninfected partner * Using latex condoms correctly from start to finish with each act of intercourse Other HIV Prevention Strategies - Condoms for Women The FDA recently approved a female condom, which will soon be available in the United States. A limited study of this condom as a contraceptive indicates a failure rate of about 26 percent in 1 year. Although laboratory studies indicate that the device serves as a mechanical barrier to viruses, further clinical research is necessary to determine its effectiveness in preventing transmission of HIV. - Spermicides The role of spermicides in preventing HIV infection is uncertain. Condoms lubricated with spermicides are not likely to be more effective than condoms used with other water-based lubricants. Spermicides added to the tip of the condom are also not likely to add protection against HIV. - Making Responsible Choices In summary, sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection, are preventable, and individuals have several responsible prevention strategies to choose from. But the effectiveness of each one depends largely on the individual. Those who practice abstinence as a prevention strategy will find it effective only if they always abstain. Similarly, those who choose any of the other recommended prevention strategies, including condoms, will find them highly effective if used correctly and consistently. For further information contact: CDC National AIDS Hotline: 1-800-342-AIDS Spanish: 1-800-342-SIDA Deaf: 1-800-324-7889 CDC National AIDS Clearinghouse P.O. Box 6003 Rockville, MD 20849-6003 ________________________________ Condoms and STD/HIV Prevention July 30, 1993 Subject: condoms [27Nov91, 2kb] Yesterday I said I would post some of the info from studies I've seen and that we offer at my workplace (WSA Pharmacy). This is in response to the query concerning condom failure rates... March 1989 - Consumer Reports did a study of latex condoms. They rated condoms on price, lubrication, spermicide, texture, conture, and variability. Based on these criteria - the Saxon Gold Circle Coin was ranked first, with a projected maximum failure rate (whatever that is) of 1.5% 1) Gold Circle Coin 2) LifeStyles Extra Strength Lubricated 3) Saxon Wet Lubricated (blue box) 4) Ramses Non-Lubricated Reservoir End 5) Sheik Non-Lubricated Reservoir End 6) Excita Extra 7) Sheik Elite 8) Koromex with Nonoxynol-9 Some salient points - LifeStyles ExtraStrength with Nonoxynol-9 - you might expect extra-strength to mean that these have a lower failure rate - in t(fact, the projected maximum failure rate is more than 10%!!! Consumer Reports conclusion - no condom is perfect, and individual preferences vary. But there are some condoms that are consistently better than others as evaluated by their criteria. Also - one in four people of 3300 condom-users surveyed reported at least one condom breaking in the past year. UCLA - This condom study subjected 14 condom brannds to additional tests to specifically determine if they would permit leakage of HIV. These 14 were from their list of 31 brans that they ranked according to water and air leakage, tensile strength, etc. 1) Mentor 2) Ramses Sensitol 3) Ramses Non-lubricated 4) Gold Circle Coin 5) Gold Circle 6) Sheik Elite 7) Durex Nuform 8) Tojan-Enz These condoms leaked HIV: Lifestyles Conture Trojan Naturalube Trojan Ribbed Contracept Plus