F.D.A. Grants the First Condom Approval for Anal Sex
nytimes.comFor the first time, U.S. regulators have officially authorized a condom to be used for anal sex, not just vaginal sex. The decision, announced by the Food and Drug Administration on Wednesday, has long been sought by sexual health experts, who said it could encourage more people who engage in anal sex to use condoms to protect themselves against H.I.V.
and other sexually transmitted infections. The risk of sexually transmitted diseases is “significantly higher” during anal sex than vaginal sex, an F.D.A.
official said Wednesday. But until now, there has not been enough data to show that condoms are safe and effective during anal sex. “The F.D.A.’s authorization of a condom that is specifically indicated, evaluated and labeled for anal intercourse may improve the likelihood of condom use during anal intercourse,” Courtney Lias, director of the F.D.A.
office that issued the approval, said in a statement. The decision applies to a condom manufactured by Global Protection Corp.
