Many people don't know this, and I certainly didn't when I first became sexually active and started using condoms, but many of the nastiest diseases that you can contract from sexual contact are not hindered by wearing a condom. It is good that the FDA explicitly points this out, and it would be good if more parents and teachers were direct and upfront with young people. Of course, there are many diseases that are effectively prevented by proper condom use, so don't throw them away quite yet!

The federal drug regulators found that latex condoms are "highly effective" at preventing infection by H.I.V., gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis and hepatitis B, largely because all of these diseases are spread through penile contact.

But the agency noted that condoms seem to be less effective against genital herpes, human papillomavirus, syphilis and chancroid because lesions from these diseases may appear on skin not covered by condoms, the report said.

Protection against human papillomavirus, which can cause cervical cancer, "is partial at best," it stated. Still, condoms provide some protection against each of these diseases, the F.D.A. concluded. Also, the report said, "These studies show that the typical pregnancy rate after six months' reliance on condoms is 5.4 percent to 7.9 percent."

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