The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a mandate today requiring makers of over-the-counter spermicidal products and vaginal contraceptives containing nonoxynol 9 (N9) to warn consumers that the products do not prevent transmission of HIV or other sexually transmitted diseases (fda.gov, 12/18).
In a press release, the FDA states that the only guaranteed forms of protection from STD transmission are abstinence, being in a monogamous relationship with a person who has been tested and does not have STDs, or to use condoms correctly.
In addition, the FDA warns that products containing nonoxynol 9 may cause irritation in the vagina and rectum, which increases the risk of HIV transmission if one of the partners is infected.
The new rule, which is currently being finalized, would also require N9 product labels to warn consumers that the product is for vaginal use only, and is not recommended for use during anal sex.
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frogger, los angeles, 2007-12-19 20:14:55
it sounds like the FDA gets their guidelines straight from the bible .....
Beth Benne, RN, is HIV negative, but
the virus has impacted her life. She currently supervises a biannual HIV/AIDS awareness week as
the director of the student health center at Pierce College, a
community commuter school in Woodland Hills, California.
Woman of the Month is supported by exclusive advertising from Gilead.
Overheard in the Women's Forum
"I recently met a guy who is negative. I did tell him about my status and he decided to kiss me anyway (we didn't go further than that). But a day later, he called and said that he actually had a mouth ulcer that time when we kissed and he was very worried. Asked if he can get the virus from me that way. For that moment, I felt so insulted and yet I felt so bad. It was my first time having a contact with a "negative" guy."
