Since the publication of the U-wire article “Some condoms fall short, study says” in the February 4 edition of the “Argus,” some student concern has arisen regarding the provision of condoms at Wesleyan. Specifically this concern is regarding Planned Parenthood brand condoms, which fared poorly in the study.
Planned Parenthood condoms are only one of approximately 12 different styles of condoms currently available through WesWELL. Other brands include Trojan, Durex, Lifestyles, Kimono and Trustex. Most are Durex, Trojan and Trustex and therefore comprise the vast majority of condoms distributed.
The one type of Planned Parenthood condom WesWELL stocks is not among those tested by “Consumer Reports,” the author of the February 2005 study cited in the Argus article. The reason this particular type was purchased is that it is one of the few brands available with a silicone lubricant. Most water-based lubricants are primarily glycerin, which promotes yeast infections for some individuals; silicone does not.
Please note that all condoms, including those sold by Planned Parenthood, must be FDA-approved for sale and must meet or exceed established industry standards. This means that Planned Parenthood condoms are still safe to use. To ensure their safety in light of this study, the Planned Parenthood Federation of America immediately requested additional independent studies of their condoms which confirmed their efficacy. Full information on these studies is available at the Planned Parenthood website at wwwplannedparethood.com/pp?/portal/files/portal/media/condoms.xml Consumers Union, the publisher of “Consumer Reports,” pushes all products tested to greater extremes than they would likely undergo in normal use. While a few brands faired poorly relative to other condoms, all types tested still met industry standards. In addition, as stated in the results, “no correlation was found between performance and price, thickness or the country of manufacture”.
The fact of the matter is that a condom would not be available for sale anywhere if it were not safe. The majority of problems that occur with condoms are actually related to human error, such as improper use or inappropriate storage, which compromises their efficacy. This aspect was not tested by Consumers Union.
I would encourage everyone to read the original research report in order to gain a full understanding of their research methods and results. The report is available on the “Consumer Reports” website at www.consumerreports.org: enter “condoms” into the search field. It is also linked off the main page of the WesWELL website at www.wesleyan.edu/weswell.
It should be noted that all safer sex supplies distributed through WesWELL and Health Services are free for individual students, with the exception of those sold in the vending machines in Science Tower restrooms; these are sold at or below cost. WesWELL is committed to providing safer sex supplies for free, as described at www.wesleyan.edu/weswell/safersexsupplies.html. Suggestions for brands or styles of condoms which most students would find suitable are welcome. I adjust what styles are purchased continuously based on student input and available budget. While I may not be able to accommodate every request, all suggestions will be considered equally. I also encourage anyone with concerns to stop by WesWELL to meet with me and/or to become acquainted with the variety of safer sex supplies we typically stock. WesWELL is located on the 2nd floor of the Davison Health Center at 327 High Street.
Leave a Reply