Planned condom use by women with Norplant implants.

This research examines the use of condoms to protect from disease women who selected hormonal implants for contraception. After receiving contraceptive implants, subjects were surveyed regarding their past use of condoms and their plans for using them to inhibit the transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases in the future. Twenty-one percent of women in the sample had used condoms in the past, but did not plan to use them once they have the implants. While decreasing their risk for unplanned pregnancy, they and/or their partners can be expected to experience an increased risk of exposure to sexually transmitted disease. Contraceptive providers must emphasize to their patients the need for protection from disease, in addition to pregnancy, when prescribing contraceptive methods.