I'm not sure where you heard that latex condoms are 100% effective against sexually transmitted diseases (although they are the best option if you are sexually active) and its irresponsible to disseminate this misinformation.

Latex condoms, with perfect use, protect very well against diseases that involve an exchange of bodily fluids (ex: HIV) but don't have quite as great a track record with diseases that can be passed by any genital contact with sores (ex: herpes).

Polyurethane condoms do offer protection but should only be used if you are allergic to latex as they are not as reliable as latex (more slipping and breaking).

Here is an excellent medical website that goes into all of this in greater detail.

http://www.youngwomenshealth.org/malecontraceptives1.html

Wow. I just looked at the quiz results. How unfortunate that you are giving young, potentially sexually active women this misinformation.

Least shes trying damn she shouldnt even have to. its parents that need to be doing this.

Laurasugar - Thanks for your comment, but the question I aksed was do polyurethane condoms protect against STIs as well as latex, and they do! Latex condoms can break and slip off too, which would make them ineffective against preventing STIs. When latex and polyurethane condoms are used properly, they can protect you from STIs.

Here are some websites backing up the fact that polyurethane condoms are just as effective at preventing STIs as latex condoms

http://std.about.com/od/glossary/g/polycondomgloss.htm

http://www.dph.sf.ca.us/sfcityclinic/stdbasics/condoms.asp#AltLatex

http://www.goaskalice.columbia.edu/1842.html

http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/ohe/library/Sexhealth/contraception/condoms.ht...

Actually, there's no 100% safety by using condoms. They are safe - like in 98%, but there's still a risk left. False handling, old condom, incidents while opening, and so on.

And as far as I know there aren't enough tests yet to say whether Polyurethane condoms are as safe as the latex ones, or not. They are an alternative for those who are allergic against latex, though, and it's assumed they'll be as effective as the 'normal' ones.

Dear, I think the concern referred to the statement
"Latex condoms protect you 100% from STIs", which is of course not true.

Here is a quote from the Go Ask Alice website you provided that you purport claims that polyurethane is as good as latex...

"Studies have shown that with typical use (used inconsistently or incorrectly some of the time and consistently and correctly other times), latex condoms are more likely to do the job better than polyurethane condoms."

and another...

"Compared to latex condoms, polyurethane condoms are less elastic and looser-fitting, making them slightly more likely to break or slip off."

I also wonder at why you would cite so many sources targeted toward a male, homosexual audience for your clearly female audience.

The website I provided above is published by a hospital and targeted to a female audience.

I would have to agree with my friend DearSugar on this one. When either latex or polyurethane condoms are used correctly (meaning they don't tear, break, or slip off) they will protect you from STI's when you have vaginal intercourse.

Of course if either condom is old, slips off, or breaks while you're having sex, than you won't be protected.

Avanti polyurethane condoms fit more like latex condoms. If the man has a slightly larger penis size - go for the Trojan Supras.

Hello again laurasugar -

I just checked out the "Go Ask Alice"" website and the sentence right after the one you cited says "But, this isn't to say that polyurethane condoms are ineffective — they are, certainly, quite effective. In fact, they've passed the U.S. Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) rigorous tests and have gained the FDA's stamp of approval for sale in the United States as an effective method of contraception and HIV prevention."

Also, the websites I mentioned in my above comment are about safe sex and facts concerning condoms - they aren't geared toward a male homosexual audience. They offer factual info about sex and male condom use. Could you clarify why you thought that?

The point I'm making is that both latex and polyurethane condoms (when used CORRECTLY) during vaginal or anal sex are effective at protecting you against STIs. Of course if you want to be completely protected - have you and your partner get tested BEFORE getting intimate.

The following sentence does not, by any means, say that the polyurethane condoms are AS effective as latex, I assume to ease the minds of those people with latex sensitivity. Everything else aside, you have failed to address the misinformation regarding condoms being 100% effective against STI's. They simply are not. They CAN protect against STI's but do not in every case.