Prevention of vaginal trichomoniasis by compliant use of the female condom.
BACKGROUND
Several case-control studies suggest that the male condom protects women against some sexually transmitted diseases. The female condom is the first barrier device under the woman's control that may be effective in the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.


OBJECTIVE
To determine if appropriate use of the female condom decreased the rate of recurrent vaginal trichomoniasis in previously diagnosed and treated women.


METHODS
One hundred and four sexually active women with vaginal trichomoniasis were treated with metronidazole and assigned to a group using the female condom or a control group during a 45-day period of continued sexual activity. Fifty women served as controls, and 54 women were assigned to use the female condom.


RESULTS
Only 20 women used the female condom each time they had sexual intercourse. Reinfection with trichomonas occurred in 7/50 (14%) controls, in 5/34 (14.7%) noncompliant users, and in 0/20 compliant users of the female condom.


CONCLUSIONS
The compliant use of the female condom is effective in preventing recurrent vaginal trichomoniasis.
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Medical College of Virginia, Richmond, Virginia.
D E
DE
Soper
D
D
Shoupe
G A
GA
Shangold
M M
MM
Shangold
J
J
Gutmann
L
L
Mercer
D000328:Adult; D003274:Contraceptive Devices, Female; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010349:Patient Compliance; D012008:Recurrence; D014247:Trichomonas Vaginitis / Q000517:prevention & control*