- The number of men using condoms as their main form of contraception has declined by 33% over the past 10 years.
- At the same time, STD cases remain high and experts are worried about its spread.
- Health experts say long-term use of effective birth control and HIV prevention drugs could make condoms less popular.
An increasing number of men are having condom-free sex, causing sexually transmitted disease experts to sound the alarm as cases of gonorrhea and syphilis continue to rise, according to Washington Post.
The rate of men using condoms as a main contraceptive has declined by 33% since 2011. national survey data From the Department of Health and Human Services. In 2011, 75% of men used condoms, while 42% reported using them as their first choice in 2021.
trend is Regarding sexually transmitted disease specialistsSince untreated syphilis can Causes infertility, organ damage and death, gonorrhea is also starting to become resistant to some antibiotics, Makes it more difficult to treat.
During the bi-annual STD Prevention Conference in September, David Harvey, executive director of the National Alliance of STD Directors, The STD rate is said to be “out of control”.
In 2021, there were a total of 2.5 million new cases of gonorrhea, syphilis and chlamydia, three STDs local health departments should track, according to Preliminary CDC data.
Syphilis cases are the highest since 1991, with a total of 171,074 new cases reported in 2021. There has also been an increase in congenital syphilis, which is passed from mother to child in the womb. 2,677 new cases in 2021, and At least 139 newborns died from it in 2020.
Health experts say the long-term effective birth control and HIV prevention drug pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) may be prompting men to avoid condoms.
However, there is no data to show an association between the use of these drugs and a decrease in condom use. PrEP users should also get regular STD screenings. for a doctor to prescribe them medicine.
Harvey told The Washington Post, “Historically, when young people use condoms it’s largely because of fear of HIV or the risk of unwanted pregnancy. They now have more options to prevent those things.”