Long-Acting Contraceptive Methods (LARCs), especially Intrauterine Devices (IUDs) and implants, are effective contraceptives and have been reported to be suitable for women of all ages, including adolescents. However, this device does not provide protection against Sexually Transmitted Infections (STDs). A new study examined the use of condoms among high school girls who used contraceptives. Discovery was disturbing. The study was published online March 14 in the journal JAMA Pediatrics by researchers from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia.
The authors of the study noted that LARCs provide an unprecedented opportunity to reduce unintended pregnancies among adolescents because they are highly effective; however, adolescent LARC users are less likely to use condoms to prevent STDs compared to users of contraceptive methods such as birth control pills, Depo-Provera injections, ingredient and contraception. Therefore, they conducted a study to compare the use of condoms between LARC users who are sexually active and users of contraceptive methods.
In the study, researchers obtained data from the 2013 Youth Risk Behavior Survey, which contained a nationally representative sample of US students in Grades 9 to 12. The study was conducted among female sex workers (2 288 girls); Statistical analysis was limited to LARC sex workers and active contraceptive methods (619 girls). The analysis was conducted in July and August 2015.
The method of contraception is finally determined by one of the following methods: birth control pills; condoms; IUD or insertion; injection, patch, or ring; withdrawal or otherwise; or unsure. A different thing was asking if their partner had used a condom in the end to have sex.
Researchers found that, of the 2,288 girls who had sex (56.7% Caucasian; 33.6% in grade 12), 1.8% used LARC; 5.7% used Depo-Provera, patch, or ring; 22.4% use oral contraceptives; 40.8% used condoms; 11.8% used withdrawal or other means; 15.7% did not use contraception; and 1.9% were uncertain. LARC users were almost 60% more likely to use condoms than oral contraceptive users. No significant difference in condom use was observed between LARC users and Depo-Provera injection, patch, or ring users. LARC users were more than three to three times more likely to have two or more recent sexual partners compared to oral contraceptive users and Depo-Provera, patch, or ring users.
The authors conclude that their significant differences in condom use may reflect the motives for using condoms to prevent spontaneous pregnancy. They suggested that users of high-quality LARC methods may not see the need for condoms even if they have multiple sexual partners, which puts them at risk of sexually transmitted infections. As LARC adoption rises among young people, there is a strong need to raise awareness about condom use, especially for the prevention of STDs.
Take home message: IUD users who avoid using condoms are at greater risk of getting an STD because the foreign body devices are implanted in the uterus. The presence of a foreign body increases the risk of a foot infection. Suffering from STD increases the risk of organ damage. This damage can lead to medical problems such as pregnancy and non-pregnancy (ectopic (tubal)) pregnancy.
