For more information:

CDC’s National Prevention Information Network 

(800) 458-5231 or www.cdcnpin.org

CDC National STD/HIV Hotline

(800) 227-8922 or (800) 342-2437

En Espanol (800) 344-7432

www.cdc.gov/std

Fact Sheet for Public Health Personnel: 

Male Latex Condoms 

and Sexually Transmitted Diseases

In June 2000, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), in collaboration with the Centers for

Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the

United States Agency for International Development (USAID), convened a workshop to

evaluate the published evidence establishing the effectiveness of latex male condoms in

preventing STDs, including HIV. A summary report from that workshop was completed in

July 2001 (http://www.niaid.nih.gov/dmid/stds/condomreport.pdf). This fact sheet is based

on the NIH workshop report and additional studies that were not reviewed in that report or

were published subsequent to the workshop (see “Condom Effectiveness” for additional

references). Most epidemiologic studies comparing rates of STD transmission between

condom users and non-users focus on penile-vaginal intercourse. 

Recommendations concerning the male latex condom and the prevention of sexually

transmitted diseases (STDs), including human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), are based

on information about how different STDs are transmitted, the physical properties of

condoms, the anatomic coverage or protection that condoms provide, and epidemiologic

studies of condom use and STD risk. 

The surest way to avoid transmission of sexually transmitted diseases is to

abstain from sexual intercourse, or to be in a long-term mutually monogamous

relationship with a partner who has been tested and you know is uninfected.

For persons whose sexual behaviors place them at risk for STDs, correct and

consistent use of the male latex condom can reduce the risk of STD transmission.

However, no protective method is 100 percent effective, and condom use cannot

guarantee absolute protection against any STD. Furthermore, condoms lubricated

with spermicides are no more effective than other lubricated condoms in

protecting against the transmission of HIV and other STDs. In order to achieve the

protective effect of condoms, they must be used correctly and consistently. 

Incorrect use can lead to condom slippage or breakage, thus diminishing their

protective effect. Inconsistent use, e.g., failure to use condoms with every act of
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intercourse, can lead to STD transmission because transmission can occur with a

single act of intercourse. 

While condom use has been associated with a lower risk of cervical cancer, the

use of condoms should not be a substitute for routine screening with Pap smears

to detect and prevent cervical cancer. 

Sexually Transmitted Diseases, Including HIV

There are two primary ways that STDs can be transmitted. Human immunodeficiency

virus (HIV), as well as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis – the discharge

diseases – are transmitted when infected semen or vaginal fluids contact mucosal

surfaces (e.g., the male urethra, the vagina or cervix). In contrast, genital ulcer diseases

– genital herpes, syphilis, and chancroid – and human papillomavirus are primarily

transmitted through contact with infected skin or mucosal surfaces. 

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that latex condoms provide an essentially

impermeable barrier to particles the size of STD pathogens.

Theoretical basis for protection. Condoms can be expected to provide different levels

of protection for various sexually transmitted diseases, depending on differences in how

the diseases are transmitted. Because condoms block the discharge of semen or protect

the male urethra against exposure to vaginal secretions, a greater level of protection is

provided for the discharge diseases. A lesser degree of protection is provided for the

genital ulcer diseases or HPV because these infections may be transmitted by exposure

to areas, e.g., infected skin or mucosal surfaces, that are not covered or protected by the

condom. 

Epidemiologic studies seek to measure the protective effect of condoms by comparing

rates of STDs between condom users and nonusers in real-life settings. Developing

such measures of condom effectiveness is challenging. Because these studies involve

private behaviors that investigators cannot observe directly, it is difficult to determine

Sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in

preventing transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS. In addition, correct

and consistent use of latex condoms can reduce the risk of other sexually

transmitted diseases (STDs), including discharge and genital ulcer diseases.

While the effect of condoms in preventing human papillomavirus (HPV) infection

is unknown, condom use has been associated with a lower rate of cervical

cancer, an HPV-associated disease. 
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accurately whether an individual is a condom user or whether condoms are used

consistently and correctly. Likewise, it can be difficult to determine the level of exposure

to STDs among study participants. These problems are often compounded in studies that

employ a “retrospective” design, e.g., studies that measure behaviors and risks in the

past. 

As a result, observed measures of condom effectiveness may be inaccurate. Most

epidemiologic studies of STDs, other than HIV, are characterized by these

methodological limitations, and thus, the results across them vary widely--ranging from

demonstrating no protection to demonstrating substantial protection associated with

condom use. This inconclusiveness of epidemiologic data about condom effectiveness

indicates that more research is needed--not that latex condoms do not work. For HIV

infection, unlike other STDs, a number of carefully conducted studies, employing more

rigorous methods and measures, have demonstrated that consistent condom use is a

highly effective means of preventing HIV transmission.

Another type of epidemiologic study involves examination of STD rates in populations

rather than individuals. Such studies have demonstrated that when condom use

increases within population groups, rates of STDs decline in these groups. Other studies

have examined the relationship between condom use and the complications of sexually

transmitted infections. For example, condom use has been associated with a decreased

risk of cervical cancer – an HPV associated disease. 

The following includes specific information for HIV, discharge diseases, genital ulcer

diseases and human papillomavirus, including information on laboratory studies, the

theoretical basis for protection and epidemiologic studies. 

HIV / AIDS

AIDS is, by far, the most deadly sexually transmitted disease, and considerably more

scientific evidence exists regarding condom effectiveness for prevention of HIV infection

than for other STDs. The body of research on the effectiveness of latex condoms in

preventing sexual transmission of HIV is both comprehensive and conclusive. In fact, the

ability of latex condoms to prevent transmission of HIV has been scientifically established

in “real-life” studies of sexually active couples as well as in laboratory studies.

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that latex condoms provide an essentially

impermeable barrier to particles the size of STD pathogens. 

HIV, the virus that causes AIDS

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, are highly effective in

preventing the sexual transmission of HIV, the virus that causes AIDS.
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Theoretical basis for protection. Latex condoms cover the penis and provide an

effective barrier to exposure to secretions such as semen and vaginal fluids, blocking the

pathway of sexual transmission of HIV infection.

Epidemiologic studies that are conducted in real-life settings, where one partner is

infected with HIV and the other partner is not, demonstrate conclusively that the

consistent use of latex condoms provides a high degree of protection.

Discharge Diseases, Including 

Gonorrhea, Chlamydia, and Trichomoniasis

Gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis are termed discharge diseases because they

are sexually transmitted by genital secretions, such as semen or vaginal fluids. HIV is

also transmitted by genital secretions. 

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that latex condoms provide an essentially

impermeable barrier to particles the size of STD pathogens. 

Theoretical basis for protection. The physical properties of latex condoms protect

against discharge diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis, by

providing a barrier to the genital secretions that transmit STD-causing organisms. 

Epidemiologic studies that compare infection rates among condom users and nonusers

provide evidence that latex condoms can protect against the transmission of chlamydia,

gonorrhea and trichomoniasis. However, some other epidemiologic studies show little or

no protection against these infections. Many of the available epidemiologic studies were

not designed or conducted in ways that allow for accurate measurement of condom

effectiveness against the discharge diseases. More research is needed to assess the

degree of protection latex condoms provide for discharge diseases, other than HIV.

Discharge diseases, other than HIV

Latex condoms, when used consistently and correctly, can reduce the risk of

transmission of gonorrhea, chlamydia, and trichomoniasis.
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Genital Ulcer Diseases and Human Papillomavirus

Genital ulcer diseases include genital herpes, syphilis, and chancroid. These diseases

are transmitted primarily through “skin-to-skin” contact from sores/ulcers or infected skin

that looks normal. HPV infections are transmitted through contact with infected genital

skin or mucosal surfaces/fluids. Genital ulcer diseases and HPV infection can occur in

male or female genital areas that are, or are not, covered (protected by the condom). 

Laboratory studies have demonstrated that latex condoms provide an essentially

impermeable barrier to particles the size of STD pathogens.

Theoretical basis for protection. Protection against genital ulcer diseases and HPV

depends on the site of the sore/ulcer or infection. Latex condoms can only protect against

transmission when the ulcers or infections are in genital areas that are covered or

protected by the condom. Thus, consistent and correct use of latex condoms would be

expected to protect against transmission of genital ulcer diseases and HPV in some, but

not all, instances.

Epidemiologic studies that compare infection rates among condom users and nonusers

provide evidence that latex condoms can protect against the transmission of syphilis and

genital herpes. However, some other epidemiologic studies show little or no protection.

Many of the available epidemiologic studies were not designed or conducted in ways that

allow for accurate measurement of condom effectiveness against the genital ulcer

diseases. No conclusive studies have specifically addressed the transmission of

chancroid and condom use, although several studies have documented a reduced risk of

genital ulcers in settings where chancroid is a leading cause of genital ulcers. More

research is needed to assess the degree of protection latex condoms provide for the

genital ulcer diseases. 

While some epidemiologic studies have demonstrated lower rates of HPV infection

among condom users, most have not. It is particularly difficult to study the relationship

between condom use and HPV infection because HPV infection is often intermittently

detectable and because it is difficult to assess the frequency of either existing or new

Genital ulcer diseases and HPV infections

Genital ulcer diseases and HPV infections can occur in both male or female

genital areas that are covered or protected by a latex condom, as well as in

areas that are not covered. Correct and consistent use of latex condoms can

reduce the risk of genital herpes, syphilis, and chancroid only when the infected

area or site of potential exposure is protected. While the effect of condoms in

preventing human papillomavirus infection is unknown, condom use has been

associated with a lower rate of cervical cancer, an HPV-associated disease.
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For additional information on condom effectiveness, contact 

CDC’s National Prevention Information Network 

(800) 458-5231 or www.cdcnpin.org

infections. Many of the available epidemiologic studies were not designed or conducted

in ways that allow for accurate measurement of condom effectiveness against HPV

infection. 

A number of studies, however, do show an association between condom use and a

reduced risk of HPV-associated diseases, including genital warts, cervical dysplasia and

cervical cancer. The reason for lower rates of cervical cancer among condom users

observed in some studies is unknown. HPV infection is believed to be required, but not

by itself sufficient, for cervical cancer to occur. Co-infections with other STDs may be a 

factor in increasing the likelihood that HPV infection will lead to cervical cancer. More

research is needed to assess the degree of protection latex condoms provide for both

HPV infection and HPV-associated disease, such as cervical cancer. 

Department of Health and Human Services