Female and male condoms offer similar protection against exposure to semen.

Abstract

Breakage slippage and other mechanical problems occur more frequently with female than with male condoms but the two devices are about equally effective barriers to semen exposure according to findings from a randomized crossover trial conducted among women attending a reproductive health clinic in the southern United States in 2000-2001. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) an indicator of exposure to semen was detected in similar proportions of vaginal fluid samples collected after use of male and female condoms during the study-14% and 17% respectively. PSA was present in high enough levels to potentially affect STD risk in 4-5% of samples associated with each type of device. Exposure to semen was more common if women reported mechanical problems with condoms than if they reported incorrect use. (excerpt)