Partner Characteristics, Intensity of the Intercourse, and Semen Exposure During Use of the Female Condom

The objective of this study was to assess how characteristics of the intercourse and the couple relate to semen exposure during use of the female condom. From 1996 to 1998, 210 women in Birmingham, Alabama, were trained to use the female condom and follow study procedures during a group session and...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:American journal of epidemiology 2003-02, Vol.157 (4), p.282-288
Main Authors: Lawson, M. Louise, Macaluso, Maurizio, Duerr, Ann, Hortin, Glen, Hammond, Karen R., Blackwell, Richard, Artz, Lynn, Bloom, Amy
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adult
Biological and medical sciences
biological markers
Biomarkers - analysis
Birth control
Coitus
condoms
Condoms, Female
Contraception Behavior
Equipment Failure
Female
Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics
Humans
Logistic Models
Male
Medical sciences
Middle Aged
Other methods of contraception. Sterilization
Penis - anatomy & histology
Prospective Studies
prostate-specific antigen
Prostate-Specific Antigen - analysis
PSA
Risk Factors
semen
Semen - chemistry
sex behavior
Sexual Partners
sexually transmitted disease
sexually transmitted diseases
Sexually Transmitted Diseases - prevention & control
STD
Vagina - anatomy & histology
Vagina - chemistry
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Summary:The objective of this study was to assess how characteristics of the intercourse and the couple relate to semen exposure during use of the female condom. From 1996 to 1998, 210 women in Birmingham, Alabama, were trained to use the female condom and follow study procedures during a group session and individually practiced inserting the device. The outcome was semen exposure as defined by comparing pre- and postcoital prostate-specific antigen levels in vaginal fluid. Women who had high income levels had lower rates of semen exposure (odds ratio (OR) = 0.3, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.2, 0.7), while those in a relationship of less than 2 years were at greater risk (OR = 2.4, 95% CI: 1.3, 4.1). Couples with a large disparity in vaginal fundus size and penis size were at increased risk of semen exposure (OR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.2, 6.0). Engaging in very active intercourse also increased the risk (OR = 1.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 2.6). Thus, the protective effect of the female condom appears to be a function of user- and intercourse-specific characteristics. Future studies of male condom efficacy should focus on collecting detailed data about the users and characteristics of intercourse to predict failure accurately.
ISSN:0002-9262
1476-6256
0002-9262
DOI:10.1093/aje/kwf211