Women are at higher risk for HIV and STD transmission for both biological and behavioral factors. During unprotected intercourse, women are potentially exposed to a higher viral inoculum through ejaculation than their male partners. Changes in the vaginal and cervical mucosa through inflammation or hormonally induced changes, can increase the friability of the tissue and, therefore, its ability to act as a conduit to the host's vasculature.
Inflammation occurs most frequently in the setting of lower reproductive tract infection.
Hormonal contraceptives have been epidemiologically associated with increased risk of HIV transmission. Female Condoms Female condoms are one approach to protection for women and have been approved in the U.S. since 1993. The female condom is, essentially, a double ring latex pouch that is inserted prior to intercourse, which has one ring adjacent to the cervix and another ring adjacent to the introitus. Evaluations of the device have been mixed. The ideal compound would be cidal to bacterial and viral pathogens, while being non-toxic to the host epithelium.