Protect Yourself from Sexually Transmitted Infections

Regardless of which contraceptive option you choose and even if you're postmenopausal, you still need to make sure you're protected against sexually transmitted infections (STIs). The only contraceptive options that provide any protection against STIs are the male and female condoms.

And just because you're "of a certain age" doesn't mean you can stop worrying about STIs. Sexually transmitted infections do not discriminate by age.

Perimenopausal and postmenopausal women have a greater risk for STIs because of the thinning and drying of the vagina that result from lower estrogen levels. This reduces the natural protective barrier, increasing the risk of irritation and inflammation during intercourse and allowing easier infection if a woman is exposed to sexually transmitted bacteria and viruses. Thus, midlife women experience significant rates of STIs, particularly if they or their partners have multiple partners.

All forms of permanent contraception carry a failure rate of less than one percent.

This content was produced with the support of an educational grant from Conceptus, Inc.

Create Date: 5/7/07
Date Last Updated: 5/7/07