NBC NEWS – The U.S. Food and Drug Administration this week approved the first condom specifically indicated for anal intercourse.
While the One Male Condom is not markedly different from the hundreds of other condoms on the market, it is the first that will be allowed to use the “safe and effective use” label for reducing sexually transmitted infections during anal sex.
It is also approved for use as a contraceptive and as a means to reduce STIs during vaginal intercourse.
“This landmark shift demonstrates that when researchers, advocates, and companies come together, we can create a lasting impact in public health efforts,” Davin Wedel, president and founder of Boston-based Global Protection Corp, maker of the One Male Condom, said in a statement.
“There have been over 300 condoms approved for use with vaginal sex data, and never before has a condom been approved based on anal sex data.”
“One Male Condoms are available in standard, thin and fitted versions, and the fitted version is available in 54 different sizes.”
Courtney Lias, director of the FDA’s Office of GastroRenal, ObGyn, General Hospital and Urology Devices, noted that the risk of STI transmission during anal intercourse is “significantly higher” than during vaginal intercourse.
“The FDA’s authorization of a condom that is specifically indicated, evaluated and labeled for anal intercourse may improve the likelihood of condom use during anal intercourse,” Lias said in a statement.
“Furthermore, this authorization helps us accomplish our priority to advance health equity through the development of safe and effective products that meet the needs of diverse populations.”
Anal sex poses the highest risk for contracting HIV, with the risk of HIV transmission from receptive anal sex about 18 times higher than receptive vaginal sex. Gay and bisexual men accounted for 69 percent of the 36,801 new HIV/AIDS diagnoses in the U.S. in 2019, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Queer men of color were overrepresented within this group, with Black men representing 37 percent, Latino men representing 32 percent and white men representing 25 percent of these new diagnoses, according to the CDC … read more.
“The interlocking slide fastener (zipper) is nearly 100% effective in preventing sexually transmitted diseases when kept in an upright and locked position.” – Headline Health
What are the risks of anal sex? Increased risk of STIs
Medical News Today – Because anal sex can lead to bacterial infections, it can also increase the risk of sexually transmitted infections (STIs). For example, because the skin is more likely to tear during anal sex than during vaginal sex, there is greater opportunity to spread STIs.
Examples of these include chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis, HIV, and herpes. These can be long-term conditions, as many STIs do not have a cure.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Trusted Source, “anal sex is the highest-risk sexual behavior for HIV transmission” in comparison with other forms of sex, such as vaginal or oral sex.
In receptive anal sex, or bottoming, HIV is 13 times more likely to infect the bottom partner than the insertive partner … read more.
